The performance of a copper earthing electrode, often known as a ground rod, can be greatly affected by its size.
Better grounding performance is often achieved with a bigger electrode surface area that comes into contact with the soil.
The following is how performance is impacted by size:
-
Resistance to ground
-
Current-carrying capacity
-
Resistance to corrosion
-
Soil contact
-
Several parallel electrodes
1. Resistance to Ground
The electrode’s resistance to ground decreases with electrode surface area. The primary objective of the grounding system is to allow the electrode to more easily discharge electrical currents into the earth, which is made possible by a lower resistance.
2. Current-Carrying Capacity
In the event of a lightning strike or ground fault, a larger electrode can safely transmit higher amounts of fault currents into the ground because of its increased current-carrying capacity.
3. Resistance to Corrosion
Due to their increased mass and surface area, larger electrodes have a longer service life and are therefore more resistant to erosion and corrosion over time.
4. Soil Contact
An electrode with a longer length can reach a deeper level in the soil, hence expanding its area of contact with the surrounding soil. This can enhance the grounding performance, particularly in regions where the soil is rocky or dry close to the surface.
5. Several Parallel Electrodes
To further lower the total grounding resistance, a few parallel electrodes may be employed in some situations. It is possible to obtain the required low resistance with fewer electrodes by using larger individual electrodes.
It’s important to remember that while larger electrode sizes can enhance grounding performance, other elements such soil composition, moisture content, & appropriate installation methods are also very significant in determining the grounding system’s overall efficiency.
In general, depending on the particular application and site conditions, industry standards and municipal electrical codes provide standards on the minimum size & depth requirements for the grounding electrodes.