Analysis on the Phase Frequency Characteristic of Soil Impedance

Soil is a typical porous media and its impedance characteristic directly determines the performance of grounding system. Soil phase frequency characteristic measurements were carried out on various soil types and water content. This paper finds that the impedance angle of soil specimen presents a capacitive performance when power frequency (f) is low. As the frequency increases, soil impedance angle goes up rapidly. Furthermore the frequency characteristic while f > 1000 Hz is distinct in terms of different water content. In particular, at low moisture content, soil impedance angle would be higher than 0?, that is, the inductive component is obvious. The study result indicates that porous media possesses the unique conductivity property dif-ferent from conductor and solution. Its mechanism needs further study.