Soil Resistivity Testing in Reading & London
Professional soil resistivity testing services across Reading, London, Berkshire, and the South of England. Earthing Equipment Supplies Southern Ltd provides comprehensive soil resistivity testing for earthing system design, lightning protection installations, and ground resistance analysis. Our BS EN 50522 certified testing ensures accurate measurement of soil electrical properties for residential, commercial, and industrial projects.
Soil resistivity testing services • Wenner method • From £125 • BS EN 50522 compliant
Call: 0118 976 0239
What is Soil Resistivity Testing?
Soil resistivity testing is a critical measurement process that determines the electrical conductivity of ground conditions. This testing is essential for:
- Earthing system design – calculating earth rod requirements
- Lightning protection systems – ensuring effective grounding
- Electrical installations – verifying safety compliance
- Substation earthing – meeting BS EN 50522 standards
- Generator earthing – safe fault current dissipation
Soil resistivity testing measures ground capacity to conduct electrical current, which varies based on soil composition, moisture content, temperature, and geological characteristics. Professional soil resistivity testing identifies variations across depths and locations, enabling engineers to design grounding systems that perform effectively.
Soil Resistivity Testing Requirements and Standards
Soil resistivity testing measures ground’s capacity to conduct electrical current, fundamental for earthing system design. Resistivity varies based on soil composition, moisture content, temperature and geological characteristics. Professional testing identifies variations across depths and locations, enabling engineers to design grounding systems that perform effectively under worst-case conditions and meet BS EN 50522 standards.
Professional Soil Resistivity Testing: Wenner Four-Point Method
Our soil resistivity testing employs the Wenner four-point method, the industry standard developed in 1915. Four earth stakes are positioned in a straight line at equal distances. Outer electrodes inject current while inner electrodes measure the voltage potential drop between them.
Electrode spacing must be at least three times greater than stake depth for accurate measurements. Our equipment automatically calculates soil resistance using Ohm’s Law, converting readings to ohm-meters through the Wenner formula: resistivity equals 2 × π × electrode spacing × resistance.
Professional testing requires multiple measurements at varying depths and orientations. Underground metal objects and aquifers can distort readings, so we conduct measurements with arrays rotated 90 degrees, producing detailed resistivity profiles for optimal earthing design.
Soil Resistivity Testing Applications for Earthing System Design
Soil resistivity testing is fundamental for designing earthing systems that safely dissipate fault currents and lightning strikes. Our testing determines ground resistivity at multiple depths using expanding Wenner arrays, assessing conditions from surface to earth rod installation depth.
Accurate testing is crucial in high-resistivity ground where currents do not dissipate readily, requiring deeper earth rods or enhanced electrode systems. Our testing identifies problematic conditions early, enabling cost-effective solutions and preventing installation failures.
For lightning protection installations, soil resistivity testing guides earth rod placement below the frost line at stable temperature zones, ideally reaching the permanent water table for consistent conditions and long-term effectiveness compliant with BS EN 50522 and IEEE 81 standards.
Earth Rod Testing and System Verification
We provide earth rod testing using the Fall-of-Potential method to verify installed earthing systems. This procedure measures the electrical resistance of earth rods after installation, confirming sufficient capacity to dissipate fault currents and lightning strikes.
Testing connects the electrodes and a resistance meter to the installed earth rod. The current electrode is positioned outside the rod’s influence zone, while the potential electrode takes readings at intervals. Results determine whether additional earth rods are needed to achieve target resistance values.
Professional Testing Equipment and Methodology
Earthing Equipment Supplies Southern Ltd utilizes advanced earth testing equipment with Automatic Frequency Control that eliminates measurement corruption from ground currents and harmonics. This ensures accurate soil resistivity readings in challenging environments.
Our ATLAS-accredited specialists analyse data using inversion software that produces accurate resistivity layer models. Correlation with geological data ensures models reflect actual ground conditions for reliable earthing system design.
Comprehensive Testing Services
Our soil resistivity testing services include site surveys, multiple-depth measurements, data analysis, detailed reporting and earthing system design recommendations. We provide risk assessment calculations, exothermic welding for earth connections, and ongoing testing services to verify system performance throughout operational life.
Contact Earthing Equipment Supplies Southern Ltd on 0118 976 0239 for professional soil resistivity testing services. Our experienced team delivers accurate ground resistance measurements, comprehensive analysis and expert guidance for effective earthing and lightning protection system design across the South of the UK.
Soil Resistivity Testing Costs
Standard Soil Resistivity Testing Prices
| Site Type | Testing Scope | Cost (ex VAT) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Residential | Single location, basic profile | £125 – £200 | 2-3 hours |
| Standard Residential | 2-3 locations, depth profile | £200 – £350 | Half day |
| Small Commercial | Multiple locations, analysis | £350 – £600 | Half day |
| Large Commercial | Comprehensive site survey | £600 – £1,200 | Full day |
| Industrial/Substation | Detailed resistivity mapping | £1,200 – £2,500+ | 1-2 days |
All soil resistivity testing includes:
- Wenner four-point method measurements
- Multiple depth profile readings
- Data analysis and interpretation
- BS EN 50522 compliant report
- Earthing system design recommendations
- Travel within Reading, London & Berkshire
Factors Affecting Soil Resistivity Testing Cost
Site Size:
- Single building: Standard rates
- Multiple buildings: +20-30%
- Large industrial sites: Custom quotation
Site Location:
- Reading & Berkshire: Standard rates
- Greater London: +15%
- Surrounding counties: +10%
Testing Complexity:
- Basic profile (3-4 depths): Lower end pricing
- Detailed mapping (8-10 depths): Mid-range
- Comprehensive survey: Upper end pricing
Service Areas
The South of England (Reading & Berkshire)
Woodley, Wokingham, Crowthorne, Bracknell, Newbury, Maidenhead, Slough
Greater London
All boroughs with same-day emergency response
Surrounding Counties
Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire
Get Your Free Consultation
Call: 0118 976 0239
Mobile: 07768 566889
Email: sales@earthingequipcom
Address: Earthing Equipment Supplies Southern Ltd, Lavender House, Church Lane, Arborfield Near Reading, RG2 9JA
