623-2 Earth/Ground Tester Users Manual January 2014 © 2014 Fluke Corporation. All rights reserved. Specifications are subject to change without notice. All product names are trademarks of their respective companies.
LIMITED WARRANTY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY Each Fluke product is warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service. The warranty period is two years and begins on the date of shipment. Parts, product repairs, and services are warranted for 90 days.
Table of Contents Title Introduction ........................................................................................................ How to Contact Fluke ......................................................................................... Safety Information .............................................................................................. Storage ............................................................................................................... Models and Accessories .
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List of Tables Table 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Title Symbols .................................................................................................................. Models and Accessories ........................................................................................ Features and Functions.......................................................................................... Display .............................................................................................................
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List of Figures Figure 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Title External Current Transformer EI-162BN ................................................................ Battery Insertion ..................................................................................................... RA 2-Pole Measurement ......................................................................................... RA 3-Pole Measurement .........................................................................................
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Introduction The 1623-2 Earth Ground Tester (Tester or Product) is a compact, field-rugged instrument that performs all four types of earth ground measurement. Specifically, the Tester is able to measure earth ground loop resistances using only clamps – called Stakeless testing. This method doesn’t require the use of earth ground stakes or the disconnection of ground rods.
1623-2 Users Manual Safety Information A Warning identifies hazardous conditions and procedures that are dangerous to the user. A Caution identifies conditions and procedures that can cause damage to the Product or the equipment under test. Warning To prevent possible electrical shock, fire, or personal injury: • Read all safety information before you use the Product. • Use the Product only as specified, or the protection supplied by the Product can be compromised.
Earth/Ground Tester Storage Table 1 is a list of symbols used on the Tester and in this manual. Table 1. Symbols Symbol Description Risk of Danger. Important information. See Manual. Hazardous voltage. Risk of electrical shock. Battery Indicator Conforms to European Union directives. Conforms to relevant South Korean EMC Standards. Conforms to relevant Australian EMC requirements. This product complies with the WEEE Directive (2002/96/EC) marking requirements.
1623-2 Users Manual Models and Accessories These standard accessories were shipped with your Tester: • 6 alkaline AA – type (LR6) batteries • 2 measuring leads 1.5 m • 1 connector cable (for RA 2-pole measurements) • 2 alligator clips • 1 Documentation CD with Users Manual • Quick Reference Guide • Safety Information Table 2 lists the models and accessories. Table 2.
Earth/Ground Tester Additional Accessories Additional Accessories An external current transformer is available as an option, see Figure 1. The transformer has a transformation ratio between 80 and 1200:1 for the measurement of a single branch in mesh-operated earthing systems. This enables the user to measure on high voltage pylons without separating the overhead earth wires or earth strips at the bottom of the pylons.
1623-2 Users Manual Features Typical applications for the Tester include: • Earth/ground resistance measurements in different installations, such as, high voltage pylons, buildings, electrical service grounding systems, mobile communication stations, and HF transmitters. • Monitor and plan lightning protection systems • Resistance measurements with earth electrodes; no separation See Table 3 for a list of features and functions. Table 3.
Earth/Ground Tester Display Display The LCD is a 1999-digit display with special symbols and digit height of 25 mm. See Table 4 for location and description of each display element. Table 4. Display 2 1 3 4 5 6 11 10 9 8 7 edv009.
23-2 Users Manual Setup Warning Read the safety information before you power on the instrument. If you have problems, see How to Troubleshoot. Batteries Warning To prevent possible electrical shock, fire, or personal injury: • The battery door must be closed and locked before you operate the Product. • Replace the batteries when the low battery indicator shows to prevent incorrect measurements. • Batteries contain hazardous chemicals that can cause burns or explode.
Earth/Ground Tester Setup 1 2 1623-2 EARTH/GROUND TESTER 3 4 + Figure 2. Battery Insertion edv002.
1623-2 Users Manual Description of Functions The functions are selected with the central rotary switch. Measurement values are shown on a liquid crystal display with correct decimal point and unit. Additional special characters indicate measurement mode, operating condition, and error messages. The Tester includes these measurement functions: 10 • Earthing Resistance (RE) The earthing resistance is determined by a 3-pole or 4-pole current and voltage measurement.
Earth/Ground Tester Operation Operation The Tester is equipped with a 3-pole as well as a 4-pole resistance measurement that renders measurements of resistances of earthing systems and measurements of the soil resistivity of geological strata.
1623-2 Users Manual 1 2 1623-2 EARTH/GROUND TESTER E/C1 H/C2 >20 m 3 4 START edv003.eps Figure 3. RA 2-Pole Measurement 1 2 1623-2 EARTH/GROUND TESTER E/C1 >20 m 3 S/P2 H/C2 >20 m 4 START Figure 4. RA 3-Pole Measurement 12 edv003b.
Earth/Ground Tester Operation RA 4-Pole Measurements To make 4-pole measurements: 1. Select 4 POLE function. See Figure 5. 2. Connect test leads. Connect terminals E/C1 and ES/P1 to the earth system to be measured with the two supplied test leads (1.5 m). Place two ground stakes in earth/dirt. Minimum distance between earth electrode (E/C1), probe (S/P2), and auxiliary earth (H/C2) should be at least 20 m. The ES test lead eliminates the influence of the test leads.
1623-2 Users Manual 1 2 1623-2 EARTH/GROUND TESTER ES/P1 E/C1 >20 m 3 S/P2 H/C2 >20 m 4 START Figure 5. RA 4-Pole Measurements 14 edv004.
Earth/Ground Tester Operation RA 3-Pole Selective Earth Resistance Measurement with Current Clamp The RA 3-pole Selective Earth Resistance Measurement with Current Clamp procedure is useful for the resistance measurement of different parallel sections of an earth/ground system. 1. Select 3 POLE . See Figure 6. 2. Connect test leads. Connect the supplied test lead (1.5 m) to terminal E/C1 and its other end to the ground system to be measured. Place two ground stakes in earth/dirt.
1623-2 Users Manual 1 2 1623-2 EARTH/GROUND TESTER E/C1 S/P2 >20 m >20 m 3 H/C2 4 START E S Figure 6. RA 3-Pole Selective Earth Resistance Measurement with Current Clamp 16 H edv005.
Earth/Ground Tester Operation RA 4-Pole Selective Earth Resistance Measurement with Current Clamp The RA 4-pole Selective Earth Resistance Measurement with Current Clamp procedure is useful for the resistance measurement of different parallel sections of an earth/ground system. 1. Select function 4 POLE . See Figure 7. 2. Connect test leads. Connect terminals E/C1 and ES/P1 with the supplied safety test leads (1.5 m) to the earth electrode to be measured. Place two ground stakes in earth/dirt.
1623-2 Users Manual 1 2 1623-2 EARTH/GROUND TESTER ES/P1 E/C1 E/C1 >20 m 3 S/P2 H/C2 >20 m 4 START Figure 7. RA 4-Pole Selective Earth Resistance Measurement with Current Clamp 18 edv006.
Earth/Ground Tester Operation Stakeless Ground Loop Measurement With this test method, two clamps are placed around the earth ground rod or the connecting cable and each are connected to the Tester. Earth ground stakes are not used. A known voltage is induced by one clamp, and the current is measured with the second clamp. The tester automatically determines the ground loop resistance at this ground rod. . See Figure 8. 1. Select 2. Connect current clamps.
1623-2 Users Manual 1 2 1623-2 EARTH/GROUND TESTER ≥10 cm 3 4 START Figure 8. Stakeless Ground Loop Measurement 20 edv007.
Earth/Ground Tester Advanced Operation Advanced Operation The Tester uses advanced features to measure earth resistance of a single high voltage pylon and soil resistivity for calculation and design of earthing systems. Measurements on High Voltage Pylons The measurement of the earth resistance of a single high voltage pylon usually requires the overhead earth wire to be disengaged (lifted off) or the separation of the earthing system from the pylon construction.
1623-2 Users Manual As all four pylon stubs are connected to the foundation earth of the pylon, the measuring current Imeas is divided into five components according to the present resistances involved. One part flows via pylon construction to the overhead earth wire and further to the parallel circuited pylon earthing resistances. The other four current components (I1... I4) flow via the individual pylon foots.
Earth/Ground Tester Advanced Operation 4. Read out measured value RE. Note Before setting the earth stakes for probe and auxiliary earth electrode make sure that the probe is set outside the potential gradient of earth electrode and auxiliary earth electrode. Such a condition is normally reached by allowing a distance of >20 m between the earth electrode and the earth stakes as well as to the earth stakes to each other.
1623-2 Users Manual Measurement of Soil Resistivity The soil resistivity is the geological and physical quantity for calculation and design of earthing systems. The measuring procedure shown in Figure 10 uses the method developed by Wenner (F. Wenner, A method of measuring earth resistivity; Bull. National Bureau of Standards, Bulletin 12 (4), Paper 258, S 478-496; 1915/16). 1623-2 EARTH/GROUND TESTER Figure 10. Measurement of Soil Resistivity edv020.eps 1.
Earth/Ground Tester Advanced Operation From the indicated resistance value RE, the soil resistivity calculates according to the equation: ρ E = 2π .a.RE ρE ...... mean value of soil resistivity (Ωm) RE ...... measured resistance (Ω) a ...... probe distance (m) The measuring method according to Wenner determines the soil resistivity down to a depth of approx. the distance "a" between two earth stakes. By increasing "a", deeper strata can be measured and checked for homogeneity.
1623-2 Users Manual Curve 3: With increasing depth ρE is not decreasing: a strip conductor electrode is advisable. As measuring results are often distorted and corrupted, for example, by underground pieces of metal and underground aquifers, a second measurement, in which the stake axis is turned by an angle of 90 °, is always advisable (see graph below). 90° E ES S H I edw022.eps Export Stored Data to PC Test data is automatically stored for all tests as a .csv file. Table 5 is an example of the .
Earth/Ground Tester How to Troubleshoot How to Troubleshoot Follow the steps in Table 6. See Figure 11 for steps 1-5. Table 6. Troubleshooting Step 1. Description External voltage (Uext) too high If the external voltage applied to the instrument is too high, usually from leakage currents in the system under test, no measurement can be started (see Specifications for Uext limit). Hint: 2. Reposition probe (S/P2) and restart measurement.
1623-2 Users Manual 1 5 2 E/C1 S/P2 H/C2 3 >20 m Us 4 Figure 11. Troubleshooting 28 >20 m Ug edv008.
Earth/Ground Tester Maintenance Maintenance If used and treated properly, the instrument needs no maintenance. To clean the instrument, use only a moist cloth with some soap water or soft household detergent or spirit. Avoid aggressive cleaning agents and solvents, such as trilene or chlorothene. Service work must only be undertaken by trained qualified staff.
1623-2 Users Manual Specifications Temperature ranges Operating temperature range: Storage temperature range: 0 °C to +35 °C (+32 °F to +95 °F) -20 °C to +60 °C (-4 °F to +140 °F) Temperature coefficient: ±0.
Earth/Ground Tester Specifications Measurement principle: Current and voltage measurement Measurement voltage: Um = 48 V ac Short-circuit current: > 50 mA ac Meas. frequency: 128 Hz Probe resistance (RS): max 100 kΩ Auxiliary earth electrode resistance (RH): max 100 kΩ Additional error from RH and RS: RH[kΩ] RS[kΩ]/Ra[Ω] 0.2 % RA 3-Pole and 4-Pole selective ground resistance measurement with current clamp (RA ) Resolution 0.001 to 10 Ω Measurement range Accuracy 0.020 Ω to 19.
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