Device for the Field Measurements of Frequency-Dependent Soil Properties in the Frequency Range of Lightning Currents

TL;DR

This paper introduces a simple, accessible device for rapid field measurement of frequency-dependent soil properties relevant to lightning currents, facilitating easier data collection and analysis.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel, easy-to-assemble measurement device for soil properties, including detailed design, working principles, and validation against calculations.

Findings

Device simplifies soil property measurements

Comparison shows good agreement with calculations

Addresses measurement accuracy factors

Abstract

Existing approaches for the field measurements of the frequency-dependent soil properties take a significant amount of time, making it difficult to obtain new experimental data and study the electrical soil properties further. However, a relatively uncomplicated measurement device assembled from accessible electronic components can make the measurements almost as easy as those for the regular low-frequency resistivity. The article presents a detailed description of such a device: the description includes the functional scheme, pseudocodes for central parts of the calculation algorithm, used electronic components, and working principle of the device. The article discusses the reasons behind the chosen parameters of the device (such as isolation between the measurement circuits, generated signal waveform, usage of the electrode arrays) and addresses other possible approaches for the measurements. The paper also provides several measurement results and a comparison with a calculation result for a particular electrode array configuration. Finally, the work describes essential aspects affecting the accuracy of measurement results.