Campsite PIR

[Deleted member 9648]

Ok....whatever.

 

[richy3333]

Thought my recent experience might add to the discussion.
Some may recall my previous thread about the site I am working at. It is a TT and the client wasn't obtaining operation of the RCD units at 5xIn etc. They dug down where we thought an earth rod might be and discovered 1 rod which was supposed to serve 30+ pitches. Clearly not sufficient! They added 4 more rods and an earth mat and still have a Ze of 535 ohms. We are now in discussions about how to get this down further to (considerably) below 200 ohms. They are thinking about rodding every 4 pitches. What do people think? The good news is that the pitch RCD's are now tripping at 5xIn so hopefully although unstable the protective devices will work under fault conditions?

 

[Engineer54]

Thought my recent experience might add to the discussion.
Some may recall my previous thread about the site I am working at. It is a TT and the client wasn't obtaining operation of the RCD units at 5xIn etc. They dug down where we thought an earth rod might be and discovered 1 rod which was supposed to serve 30+ pitches. Clearly not sufficient! They added 4 more rods and an earth mat and still have a Ze of 535 ohms. We are now in discussions about how to get this down further to (considerably) below 200 ohms. They are thinking about rodding every 4 pitches. What do people think? The good news is that the pitch RCD's are now tripping at 5xIn so hopefully although unstable the protective devices will work under fault conditions?

If your client really wants to improve this abysmal TT system then he's going to have to spend some money!!! What your experiencing here, is one of the major problems of utilising the currently popular short thin rods (1.2m x 3/8'')...!!!!! Perhaps remembering that during dry periods or when ground temp is around zero, the first metre or thereabouts of any ground rod, is doing nothing, it is serving no useful purpose at all!!!!

I don't know what type of soil your camp site is made up of, but it doesn't sound too great. ..lol!!! So any rods you place need enhancing. You really do need to go down much deeper, by using at least 2 x 3m x 3/4'' rods coupled. If the soil type is as bad as it sounds, then it's better to hire a 50mm ground auger and drill the rod holes. You can then enhance the rod and it's connectivity with conductive mortar or bentonite. Link at least 4 or 5 of these rods installations, and you will in all probability bring your Ra and Ze values down to a much more respectable level, certainly below the BRB magic , but worthless 200ohms level!!!

Linking the caravan pitch connection panels via the SWA or 3rd core and the existing earth rods etc, should give you a far superior and safer system than you presently have, and it will be ''Stable'' System''... Which is exactly what the proprietor of this caravan site should be striving for. After all, it his customers safety that he is ultimately responsible and more importantly liable for while using his facilities....