Which factor influences the effective resistance of a grounding electrode?

The effective resistance of a grounding electrode is primarily influenced by soil conductivity and moisture content. The conductivity of soil is a crucial factor because it determines how easily electrical current can flow through the ground. Different types of soil have varying levels of conductivity; for instance, sandy soil generally has lower conductivity compared to clay. Additionally, moisture content plays a significant role—wet soil enhances conductivity due to the presence of water, which contains dissolved salts that facilitate the flow of electric current. Therefore, a grounding electrode placed in damp, conductive soil will demonstrate a lower effective resistance than one placed in dry, non-conductive soil.

While other factors, such as the temperature of the installation site or the condition of the grounding equipment, might affect electrical systems in different ways, they do not have as direct an impact on the effective resistance of the grounding electrode as soil conductivity and moisture content do.