Trainor Project Services Canada Ltd. - Control and measuring services

Control and measuring services

Trainor has a long history of measuring earth resistance for electrode systems, and in developing documentation with reference to norms and regulations. Trainor also carries out continuity testing for power station installations and industry. This involves testing the earthing system with the aim of preventing hazardous contact voltages. Our assignments include everything from taking measurements on line networks to measurements in large industrial installations and power plants.

Requirements for earth electrodes
FEF (FEA-F) and NEK 400:2006 part 6 specify requirements for earth electrodes. Businesses are required by the inspection authorities to document the condition of electrodes. In practical terms, this means that electrode systems must be measured, and there must be proof that the figures measured are correct.

Measuring and documenting electrode systems
For measuring earth resistance for electrode systems, Trainor uses a full-scale method. This method provides valuable additional information about the measuring setup, verifying that a sufficient distance has been used, whether the soil is homogeneous, calculation of distance to the reference point, interference from other earthing networks, etc. The documentation contains all the relevant parameters that are important for future control.

Conducting continuity tests
Equalizing connections and main earth conductors can be measured using the injection method. A high current is applied, and the voltage drop is measured. This provides the means of calculating resistance with high resolution and considerable accuracy. Trainor uses advanced testing instruments with a measuring range down to 0.1 micro ohms and test currents up to 600A. Switching the poles in the measuring loop enables us to check that unintended values cannot influence the results.

Measuring and documenting resistivity
Resistivity is measured using a method known as the Wenner principle. Every measuring setup that is used will give a particular point value for resistance for a specific soil depth and based on the distance of the measuring setup. The measurements will reveal whether or not the planned electrode system gives sufficiently low earth resistance for the electrode before it is placed in the ground. It is important that the resistance is measured for the actual depth of the electrode; this is given very precisely by the Wenner principle. The number of measurements that are necessary in the field depends on the size of the building and of the projected electrical installation.

Advanced measuring equipment and highly qualified personnel
Trainor uses advanced measuring equipment and accessories that meet all the requirements for taking measurements on industrial electrodes and power plant or line-network electrodes. We can provide the necessary equipment and personnel to undertake the entire measurement assignment.