Soil resistivity testing
Four-terminal field testing at planned electrode spacings to establish the soil model required for earthing-system design.
- Wenner array measurements
- Multiple directions and spacings
- Test data, calculations and report
Electrical engineering · Johannesburg & project locations
PrEng-led Soil Resistivity Testing
for Earthing Design.
PrEng-led field testing, engineering interpretation and earthing-design support for substations, mines, solar and BESS projects, industrial facilities and infrastructure across South Africa and selected Southern African locations.
Completed work includes Smart Schools, Sturrock Dry Dock, New Landfill and the Fungurume Electrification Project.
- PrEngEngineering leadership
- 20+ yearsIndustrial experience
- Wenner four-pinSoil-resistivity testing
MININGINDUSTRIALINFRASTRUCTUREENERGYCOMMERCIAL
Core services
From field measurement to an implementable design.
Start with defensible site data, then add the engineering scope your project actually needs. Testing, design, review and commissioning are quoted as clear work packages.
One accountable engineering workflow, with clearly defined outputs at every stage.
Earthing-system design
Practical electrode arrangements informed by measured site conditions and the installation environment.
- Earth grid and electrode layouts
- Conductor and material selection
- Touch and step-voltage considerations
Earth-system audits & commissioning
Independent checks of installed earth systems before handover or during periodic maintenance.
- Installed-system measurements
- Defect and interface review
- Commissioning and periodic audit scope
Power-system engineering
Defined engineering support around LV/MV distribution, substations and protection interfaces.
- Fault, protection and load-flow studies
- SLDs, specifications and BOQs
- Independent design review and assurance
Built for project teams
Choose the work package you need.
The same technical capability is packaged differently depending on who is appointing Mshezi Projects.
01
Consulting engineers
Specialist field testing without taking over the client relationship. You retain design ownership and receive controlled engineering data.
Request subcontract support →02
EPCs and contractors
Fast mobilisation, defined test lines and reporting that can feed procurement, construction and design decisions.
Submit project information →03
Mines and asset owners
Independent assessment of soil and installed earth systems, with assumptions and limitations made explicit.
Book a technical discussion →Relevant experience
Selected project experience.
Selected soil-resistivity and earthing assignments completed by Mshezi Projects.
EDUCATION INFRASTRUCTURE
01Smart Schools earth-resistance system design
Soil data review · Earthing calculations · Design recommendations
INDUSTRIAL SITE
02Sturrock Dry Dock soil-resistivity testing
Wenner survey · 23 recorded measurements · Engineering report
WASTE INFRASTRUCTURE
03New Landfill soil-resistivity investigation
Multi-spacing survey · 49 readings · Design-input report
ELECTRIFICATION INFRASTRUCTURE
04Fungurume Electrification Project
Specialist soil-resistivity subcontract awarded by Werkman DRC, the appointed main contractor
Field evidence
Measurements start on site.
Test arrangements, recorded readings and the equipment used in our fieldwork.
A short on-site view of the instrument, leads and stake preparation. 9 seconds · No audio.
Delivery method
Clear evidence. Clear decisions.
A documented workflow: submit project information, define the survey, mobilise, measure, review, report and decide on the next engineering step.
- 01
Define
Confirm site, installation, access, test lines and deliverables.
- 02
Measure
Record spacing, direction, conditions and repeat readings.
- 03
Interpret
Calculate apparent resistivity and establish design inputs.
- 04
Deliver
Issue findings, assumptions, limitations and recommendations.
Typical deliverablesTest planSite readingsCalculation sheetsResistivity profileEngineering report
Standards-led engineering
A clear engineering basis for each appointment.
Methods and standards are confirmed for the actual installation, client specification and design decision.
IEEE 81-2025IEC 61936-1:2021BS EN 50522:2022SANS / IEC 62305
Testing and engineering methods are selected to suit the installation and client requirements. Applicable standards and current editions are confirmed at appointment, including IEEE, IEC and SANS requirements where relevant.
Why Mshezi Projects
Senior engineering judgement stays close to the work.
Mshezi Projects combines field testing with more than two decades of electrical engineering and leadership experience across mining, energy, oil and gas, and industrial environments.
Clients engage a technically led business able to understand the measurement, challenge weak assumptions and connect findings to the wider electrical design.
Before you book
Questions an engineer should answer.
Is soil resistivity the same as earth resistance?
No. Soil resistivity describes soil behaviour and is expressed in Ω·m. Earth resistance is a measurement of an installed electrode or system in Ω. One test does not automatically replace the other.
Does a low earth-resistance reading prove the design is safe?
No. The assessment may also require fault current, protection clearing time, bonding, touch and step voltages, and installation-specific requirements. A single resistance target is not a complete design basis.
What should I send for a quotation?
Site location, layout, proposed equipment or structure, access restrictions, required deliverables and target date. If you do not know the test spacings or number of lines, say so: these need to be agreed as part of the scope.
How are calibration and quality requirements handled?
Specify any certificate, traceability or accreditation requirements in your enquiry. Confirm the instrument’s calibration documentation and client acceptance before mobilisation. Include any laboratory accreditation requirements in the project brief.
Can I appoint Mshezi Projects as a subcontractor?
Yes. Mshezi Projects completed soil-resistivity testing for the Fungurume Electrification Project under a subcontract awarded by Werkman DRC, the appointed main contractor. Agree interfaces, report ownership and deliverables before appointment.
Where are projects supported?
Enquiries are welcomed for Johannesburg and other project locations. Travel, mobilisation, access and availability are confirmed in the quotation.
Can I see supporting project information?
Ask for relevant project references, available redacted report examples and professional credentials. Release is subject to availability and client confidentiality; client names and logos are not endorsements.
Start with the site details
Request a project quotation.
Start with a brief description. We will clarify the survey extent, access requirements and deliverables with you.
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