ᐅ Ring earth electrode: Where is the best location to install it?

Hello everyone!

I couldn’t find any information here regarding the location of the ring earth electrode for a slab-on-grade foundation, which I plan to install myself. The electrician will inspect it when measuring the grounding resistance.

I have heard two different opinions on where it should be installed. I marked these as Option 1 (on the right, between gravel and soil) and Option 2 (below the crushed stone layer) in the picture. Which is more correct? In both cases, there is contact with the earth, but maybe there are other advantages, such as frost-free or damp soil conditions…

How was it done in your case, or did you possibly install it yourself?

Regards,
Robert

Hello Robert,

according to DIN 18014, it is usually installed in the concrete slab and must be surrounded by at least 5cm (2 inches) of concrete. If you have a waterproof concrete foundation ("white tank"), it may also be installed outside but must be made of V4A stainless steel.

In new houses, option 2 is most commonly used.

Just search for DIN 18014 online, and you will find many images related to this.

Best regards

Ok, thanks a lot for the tip, that helped me a lot!

Lagom schrieb:
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any information here regarding my question about the location of the ring earth conductor with a slab foundation, which I wanted to install myself. The electrician will take over responsibility for it when measuring the earth resistance.

Since DIN 18014:2007-09, the installation of foundation and ring earth electrodes is only permitted according to NAV § 13 by licensed electrical specialists authorized by a utility network operator, and no longer by the masons. For laypersons who rely on basic information from forums, this is even more important.

Many construction participants are not even aware of DIN 18014:2007-09, and your electrician also seems to have "forgotten" that by obtaining his license he committed to a VDE selection subscription. He probably will not be able to provide the DIN 18014 documentation.

To avoid posting all 12 standard slides on DIN 18014 again, here is the most relevant one. This should be sufficient for assessing whether someone is reasonably qualified for the task. The functional equipotential bonding conductor, except for the ring earth conductor, must be installed like a foundation earth electrode, and an authorized electrician must measure and document the contact resistances (< 0.2 ohms) before concreting. Measuring the soil resistivity is reasonably done only after the concrete has dried, but according to DIN 18014 this is not required.

Electricians who, out of convenience or ignorance of DIN 18014, consider just a connection tab protruding from the slab sufficient to blindly confirm compliance with the standard for unseen earthing systems during meter registration can always be found.

Ring earth conductors must be installed in moist soil and belong below the drainage system!

I am not an expert on the common DIN standards (thanks for the information), but I will review the standards more closely before installation.

However, as an electrical engineering graduate engineer, I am not a novice either. According to DIN VDE 1000-10 (VDE 1000-10), I am even a qualified electrical professional and aware of potential hazards.

Lagom schrieb:
However, as an electrical engineer with a university degree, I am not a layperson. According to DIN VDE 1000-10 (VDE 1000-10), I am even considered a qualified electrician and am aware of potential hazards.

I would rather say that you meet the requirements for a qualified electrician. In which field do you work as an electrical engineer?