07/22/2026
Grounding in sandy soils makes it difficult for ground plates to discharge electrical surges from an irrigation system. Often we use a grounding enhancement material or "GEM" to improve the efficacy of the discharge from devices and wires. This helps to reduce the possibility of damage occurring to expensive components integral in automated systems. The location for the ground plate is chosen so to be cost effective protection. The orientation of the ground plate is installed keeping in mind to have all devices and system wiring to be outside of the plate's sphere of influence to keep the electrical surge from reentering the system when discharged. The hole is excavated to a specified depth and then GEM is mixed with water and poured into the excavation. The plate is placed into the grounding material and then wired to the system through a surge device that operates as a type of switch which allows the control system to operate normally and only permit discharge during an electrical surge event. For large systems that cover large properties with thousands of meters of wire it is important to see grounding components as a necessary expense that protects your entire investment.
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