I am missing something....

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bennie

Esteemed Member
Re: I am missing something....

25 Ohms is the desired resistance from the electrode to the dirt.

Low resistance limits the voltage impressed on the conductive surfaces in the event of a ground fault and loss of neutral.
 

dereckbc

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Plano, TX
Re: I am missing something....

As Bennie stated it is the resistance of the electrode(s) to earth. It is a target number the NEC uses in 250.56, but is not necessarily obtainable. If you read 250.56 you can see this by the wording. Drive the first rod and measure, if greater than 25 ohms, drive another and you are done whether or not it is below 25 ohms. What this translate too is you do not have to measure, just drive two rods and walk away to meet the code.

The purpose of the grounding electrode system is to provide an earth reference for the facility and provide a path for lightning and static electricity. Recommended practices is to provide a resistance of 25 ohms or less for any made earth grounding electrode, but one does not need to seek unrealistically low values of resistances such as the popular 1 ohm value. Such connections are only used for electrical safety and are not suitable for use at high frequencies.
 

bphgravity

Senior Member
Location
Florida
Re: I am missing something....

Another way to look at it is lower the resistance to ground, the lower voltage potential would be on the metallic noncurrent carrying parts of the system. 25-ohm brings the voltage down to a relative safe touch potential.
 

bennie

Esteemed Member
Re: I am missing something....

Very good information...The voltage drop across 25 Ohms at 120 volts is 30 maximum possible volts.

30 volts has been agreed by scientific authorities, to be the highest safe level of voltage to be in contact by a human.
 

dereckbc

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Plano, TX
Re: I am missing something....

Bennie, "The voltage drop across 25 Ohms at 120 volts is 30 maximum possible volts". What?? :confused: 120VAC/25ohms is 4.8 amps. Did you mean 1.2 amps through 25 ohms is 30 volts?
 
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