A lot of people have asked me how to verify that their outlets in their homes are properly grounded, so I’m going to explain how you can check your outlets using a multimeter and by measuring the ohms. It’s a straightforward process, and I’ll walk you through every step. Let’s get started.

First, let’s talk about what you need. To properly test your outlets, you’ll need a few tools. The first is a multimeter. It’s important that your multimeter is capable of reading resistances, typically measured in ohms. This tool is essential because it allows you to determine whether the grounding system in your home is functioning correctly. Next, you’ll need an outlet ground splitter. This device has prongs that are made of non-conductive plastic, which is a safety feature that ensures you won’t get electrocuted if you accidentally stick the probe into the wrong hole in the outlet. The ground port on the splitter is metal, and it’s designed to help you safely connect your testing equipment to the outlet.

Another important tool is an outlet checker. This device is commonly used to check if an outlet is wired correctly and grounded. However, it’s worth noting that while an outlet checker can indicate proper wiring, it doesn’t necessarily tell you whether the grounding quality is sufficient. That’s why further testing with a multimeter is necessary. Lastly, you’ll need an earthing grounding rod. This can be a metal rod, a copper pipe, or even a sturdy barbecue skewer—anything that can be securely driven into the ground to establish a connection. I recommend using a rod about a foot and a half long for convenience. You’ll also need alligator clips to connect one of the multimeter probes to the grounding rod.

Now that you have your tools, let’s move on to the setup. I like to choose a spot near the main electrical box of the house, as this is typically where the main ground for the house is located. In most cases, the electricity entering your home is grounded at or near this point. By testing close to this area, you can get an accurate reading of the grounding system. Our goal is to measure the resistance between the Earth itself, the outlet’s ground port, the house wiring, and the electrical main ground.

The first step is to drive the grounding rod into the Earth. I usually choose a spot near a plant because the roots penetrate deep into the ground, which helps provide better grounding. Once I’ve selected the spot, I use a garden hose to wet the ground around the rod. This step is crucial because moist soil is more conductive, allowing for more accurate measurements.

Next, I use the outlet checker to ensure that the outlet is wired properly. When I insert the checker, both orange lights should come on, indicating that the wiring is correct. I recommend testing both outlets in a socket just to be thorough. Keep in mind, though, that this step only confirms proper wiring; it doesn’t verify the quality of the ground connection.

After that, I set up my multimeter. I turn it to the ohms setting, which allows me to measure resistance. Initially, the multimeter should display “overload” or a similar message, indicating that the circuit is broken. When I touch the two probes together, the multimeter should show a very low resistance, typically less than 2 ohms. This confirms that the multimeter is functioning correctly.

Now, it’s time to test the outlet. I connect the red probe to the grounding port of the outlet using the splitter device. The splitter ensures safety by preventing direct contact with the electrical contacts inside the outlet. Then, I attach the banana clips to the grounding rod and the black probe of the multimeter. This setup creates a complete circuit that includes the outlet, the house wiring, the main ground, and the Earth.

At this point, I turn on the water to ensure the ground around the rod remains conductive. When I check the multimeter, it shows a resistance of less than 9,000 ohms (dry sandy soils can have resistances of 1,000 to 10,000 Ohms per meter). This is an excellent result, as it indicates that the house is well-grounded. A low resistance means there is a strong connection between the outlet and the Earth, which is essential for safety and for the proper functioning of grounding systems.

It’s important to understand what this resistance measurement represents. It measures the resistance in the path that electricity would take from the outlet’s ground port, through the house wiring, down to the main ground connection, and finally into the Earth. A low resistance in this path indicates a high-quality ground connection, which reduces the risk of electrical hazards.

While I performed this test near the main electrical box, you can use this method to test any outlet in your home. However, if you’re testing outlets located far from the main ground, you’ll need to run a wire from the grounding rod to the outlet being tested. This can be a bit more challenging, but it’s entirely doable with the right tools and preparation.

In addition to testing outlet grounding, you can also check the effectiveness of your grounding system by measuring your body voltage. When you use an earthing or grounding device, your body voltage should drop significantly—typically by 90-95%. For example, if your body voltage starts at 1 volt AC, it should drop below 0.1 volts AC when you’re properly grounded. This drop in voltage is a good indication that your grounding system is working effectively.

Roy Cooke, a former master electrician, has conducted over 4,000 home inspections in Canada, and his findings are alarming: only about 50% of the homes he inspected were wired correctly. This statistic highlights a significant concern for those who rely on grounded outlets for their earthing practices.

While many believe that grounding through electrical outlets is safe—citing personal experiences and endorsements from earthing companies—Cooke’s findings suggest otherwise. A substantial number of homes have outlets with stray electrical currents in the ground, posing potential risks. To complicate matters, outlet testers are often unreliable, providing false assurances about proper grounding.

Given these issues, those experiencing serious electromagnetic field (EMF)-associated symptoms should consider switching to an outdoor grounding rod. Grounding directly with a rod reduces the risk of exposure to stray currents, which can flow into grounding devices through improperly wired outlets.

As one of the administrators of the Earthing & Grounding HEALS forum for over five years, I have observed an interesting trend: individuals who report “detox symptoms” from grounding often use outlets for grounding. Symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, brain fog, heart palpitations, and insomnia appear to be linked to EMF exposure rather than the grounding process itself. Conversely, such detox symptoms are rarely reported by those who practice earthing barefoot on natural ground. A poll generated 152 responses in less than 12 hours. People polled reported the following as of 29 DEC 2024: 1% experienced detox symptoms with barefoot earthing, 4% had detox symptoms using a grounding rod, 43% reported detox symptoms using the outlet, and 52% reported no detox symptoms. The majority of people experiencing detox symptoms are using the outlet to ground.

This pattern suggests that grounding detox may be a response to mild EMF toxicity rather than an inherent effect of grounding. While some people adapt to this exposure over time and experience the benefits of grounding despite mild EMF toxicity, others do not. For these individuals, the high levels of stray currents or EMF exposure in improperly wired outlets exacerbate their symptoms, leading to continued discomfort.

In light of these findings, it’s clear that using an outdoor grounding rod is a safer and more reliable alternative for those seeking the health benefits of grounding. Ensuring proper grounding is essential, particularly for individuals with heightened sensitivity to EMF or those experiencing persistent symptoms. For optimal health and safety, grounding practices should prioritize direct connection with the earth whenever possible.

Here are the key takeaways:

• First, improperly grounded earthing devices can introduce electricity into your body, making symptoms worse instead of better.
• Second, ensure your outlets are properly grounded, but don’t rely solely on outlet testers because they can be incorrect a significant portion of the time.
• Third, shared grounding systems in apartments or homes can introduce stray electricity from other appliances, so an outdoor grounding rod or connect to a metal cold water pipe are better solutions.
• Finally, if you continue to feel ill while using a grounding product with an outlet, stop using it and switch to a rod-based system.

Proper grounding is not only essential for safety but also for the optimal performance of electrical devices and grounding products. If you found this guide helpful, please remember to subscribe.