Title: Analysis of Seasonal Soil Temperature Variations in Bori Town and Determination of Suitable Electrode Planting Depth
Authors: Gabriel Ebiowei Moses, Kikile Fameme Ovietemewo
Volume: 9
Issue: 10
Pages: 35-41
Publication Date: 2025/10/28
Abstract:
Soil temperature plays a critical role in the efficiency of grounding systems, especially in regions where electrical installations depend on earth electrodes for safety, stability, and power quality. This study investigates the seasonal and temperature variations of soil in Bori Town, Rivers State, Nigeria, and examines their influence on the optimal planting depth of grounding electrodes. Data were collected across wet and dry seasons to evaluate how fluctuations in moisture content and soil temperature affect soil resistivity. The standard Wenner four-pin configuration was applied to calculate the soil resistivity for raining season (June) and dry season (December). Findings reveal a significant seasonal shift in soil thermal properties, with higher temperatures and lower moisture content during the dry season causing a marked increase in soil resistivity. Conversely, the wet season exhibited lower temperatures and higher conductivity at shallow depths. The analysis shows that deeper electrode placement mitigates the adverse effects of seasonal variations, ensuring consistent grounding resistance throughout the year. Also, the resistivity under electrode depth of 0.8, 1.5, 2.5 and 3.0 was investigated and the results shows high resistivity at 0.8 m, and lower soil resistivity at a depth of 3.0 m for both cases. The study recommends strategic electrode planting depths based on seasonal soil behavior to enhance electrical safety and system reliability in Bori Town and similar tropical regions.