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        ![]() MIL-HDBK-419A 
Table 1-1 
Relative Advantages and Disadvantages of the Principal Types 
of Earth Electrodes 
Disadvantages 
Advantages 
Type 
Not useful where large rock 
Straightforward design. Easy to install 
Ring Ground 
formations are near surface. 
(particularly around an existing facility). 
Hardware readily available. Can be 
extended to reach water table. 
Subject to resistance fluctuations 
Can achieve low resistance where rock 
Horizontal Bare 
with soil drying. 
formations prevent use of vertical rods. 
Wires (Radials) 
Low impulse impedance. Good rf 
counterpoise when laid in star pattern. 
Subject to resistance fluctuations 
Minimum surface potential gradient. 
Horizontal Grid 
with soil drying if vertical rods not 
Straightforward installation if done 
(Bare Wire) 
used. 
before construction. Can achieve low 
resistance contact in areas where rock 
formations prevent use of vertical rods. 
Can be combined with vertical rods to 
stabilize resistance fluctuations. 
High impulse impedance. Not useful 
Straightforward design. Easiest to 
Vertical Rods 
where large rock formations are near 
install (particularly around an existing 
surface. Step voltage on earth 
facility). Hardware readily available. 
surface can be excessive under high 
Can be extended to reach water table. 
fault currents or during direct 
lightning strike. 
Most difficult to install. 
Can achieve low resistance contact in 
Plates 
limited area. 
Little or no control over future 
Can exhibit very low resistance. 
Incidental 
alterations. Must be employed with 
Electrodes 
other made electrodes. 
(Utility pipes, 
building 
foundations, 
buried tanks) 
1-8 
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