Fall of potential
Updated 2026-10-27
Data records
- Fall of potential is the ground electrode resistance method in which a test current is driven between the electrode under test and a remote current stake while the potential between the electrode and a movable probe stake is read; the resistance is the ratio of potential to current at probe positions outside the zone of influence of the electrode, where successive readings level off.
- In the three-pole fall-of-potential test a ground resistance tester drives a known current between the disconnected electrode under test and an outer auxiliary stake, measures the potential drop between the electrode and an inner probe stake, and computes the resistance by Ohm's law; the probe must lie outside the sphere of influence of the electrode or the readings are invalid.
Elsewhere in the family
- Ground Electrode Resistance related entry on Grounding Reference
Sources
- Electrical Testing Reference editorial taxonomy, Electrical Testing Reference editorial taxonomy of test methods, 2026-10 edition, Electrical Testing Reference. Held as: Own observation.
- Fluke learn article, Fall-of-Potential Measurement, web page edition, Fluke. Held as: Public page. Publisher page
Changelog (4 entries)
| Date | Revision | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-27 | created (gloss.fall-of-potential.definition) | |
| 2026-10-27 | review_status unreviewed -> software_reviewed (gloss.fall-of-potential.definition) | |
| 2026-10-27 | created (gloss.fall-of-potential.usage) | |
| 2026-10-27 | review_status unreviewed -> software_reviewed (gloss.fall-of-potential.usage) |
Cite this page
Cite the governing standard for the fact itself; cite this page as the finding aid.
"Fall of potential." Test Instrument Reference. 2026-10-27. https://www.testinstrumentreference.com/glossary/fall-of-potential/.
Test Instrument Reference, Fall of potential (Oct. 27, 2026), https://www.testinstrumentreference.com/glossary/fall-of-potential/.
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title = {Fall of potential},
howpublished = {\url{https://www.testinstrumentreference.com/glossary/fall-of-potential/}},
organization = {Test Instrument Reference},
publisher = {Test Instrument Reference},
year = {2026},
note = {last substantive change 2026-10-27}
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