longball53098

OK as promised I've done some tests with potential grounds around my apartment.

IMPORTANT. These results are from MY home, yours may be different, it must not be implied that because mine is good yours will be too. YMMV!!!

Tests performed using the earth loop impedance function of my Robin KTS 1630 Advanced Digital Multi Function Meter http://www.bis.fm/pr...bin_KTS1630.asp I admit my tester is out of calibration (didn't get it done before getting it shipped from the UK, sorry).

Potential grounds, all in my 10th floor apartment in an older block:-

My real ground provided by the supply company :- 0.5 ohms (likely MEN connected, but can't confirm, link is not in my distribution board)

Incoming water pipe (galvanised) :- 1.1 ohms

Steel balcony railing :- 1.2 ohms (after removing multiple layers of paint)

13mm rawlbolt in brick wall (it's been there some time holding up the outdoor unit of an aircon, outdoor unit is sat on wood blocks so is isolated) :- no result, tester would not even acknowledge that this was grounded and so would not perform a test.

Aluminium window frame :- greater than 2k ohms (over range), but tester did at least acknowledge that this was grounded.

Metal shelves sitting on the concrete balcony :- greater than 2k ohms (over range), but tester did at least acknowledge that this was grounded.

I also tested a 2m copper ground rod (at a different location and in wet earth) :- 5 ohms.


I'll let you draw your own conclusions about the efficiency of the various potential grounds.