Comparative Deterministic Analysis of Bentonite, Pig Dung and Domestic Salt and Charcoal Amalgam as Best Resistant Reducing Agent for Electrical Earthing Applications

This paper presents a comparative evaluation of bentonite, pig dung and domestic salt and charcoal amalgam as artificial compounds for earth resistance reduction. The properties which demonstrate effectiveness of these compounds as resistance reducing agent are investigated in this study. Moisture content, moisture retaining capacities and electrical conductivity were the properties considered. The effect of these compounds on soil resistivity is demonstrated using the Wenner Array soil resistivity measurement set up in a soil box. Pig dung yielded the best result, reducing the resistivity of the soil from 74.94Ω-m to 8.26Ω-m followed by bentonite, 9.25Ω-m and salt and charcoal, 10.87Ω-m. Also, it was observed that the pig dung decomposed after a certain period of time bringing about a reduction in the reacting mass and moisture content of the dung and consequently affecting the value of the earth resistance. Again, domestic salt leaches away into the soil over time and the charcoal corrodes the earth electrode while no significant demerit was discovered for bentonite. Based on its limited demerit, this study recommends bentonite as the best resistance reducing agent for electrical earthing applications.