Rod earthing
An earthing rod (also ground rod ) is an existing usually made of galvanized or stainless steel metal rod which is driven into the ground. The length is between one meter and several meters. At the lower end it is pointed, at the other end it has a device for connecting a line.
By hammering the ground rod into the ground, an electrical connection is established between the ground and the line connected to the connection device. This line can in turn be connected to a potential equalization or an electrical system in order to establish an earth connection. The quality of the earthing depends primarily on the nature of the ground. Earthing must meet certain requirements, especially with regard to earthing resistance . Therefore, several rods may have to be used together.
A ground rod is used, for example, to ground a site power distributor or a provisionally erected electrical system, often also for the subsequent installation of grounding as well as in systems in which the use of a foundation earth electrode is inexpedient or completely ruled out.
exam
The presence of a potential earth alone does not guarantee its suitability and safe earthing . Therefore, after setting up a potential earth, a test for the discharge of fault currents according to VDE 0100 and VDE 0105 must be carried out.