Commissioning of a new earthing system is essential as a validation step for the design and installation process and for the design inputs. In most cases commissioning should measure the outputs of the earthing system in terms of produced voltages and current distributions rather than solely resistance. The commissioning should consider closely the key performance criteria identified in the hazard identification and treatment analysis phases.

The earthing system commissioning procedure normally consists of five core activities. In some instances, not all activities are required

• Visual inspection
• Continuity testing
• Earth resistivity testing
• Injection testing
• Transfer, touch, and step voltage testing