FAQ - Earthing Rod vs Plug & more...

Hey, Grounded Kiwi community, how are you? I hope your Earthing is going well, and if you haven't tried it yet, stop reading this Blog and go outside barefoot right now!

But seriously, with our Indoor Earthing products, we frequently get asked many questions about Earthing rods & Earthing Plugs. In this Blog, I want to clarify what they are, how to use them and help you to choose which is suitable for you. 

So, let's get into it; 

Grounded Kiwi (GK) has many Indoor Earthing products, Underlays, pillow covers, mats, pads, blankets, wristbands and more.

To receive all the incredible and natural benefits of Earthing, you need to have these products directly connected to Earth. 

There are two ways of providing this direct connection to the Earth. 

Each Grounded Kiwi Earthing product comes standard with the Earthing plug and 5m product cord.

We also offer the Earthing rod for purchase if you want to put your rod into the ground for your connection. 

The Earthing Plug

Earthing Plug

 

  • Uses your standard NZ / AU powerpoint
  • Only the 'Earth' pin is metal
  • Connects to Earth via your home Earthing Rod buried in the ground. 
  • Does not matter if the power switch is on/off
  • Two connection points for two products
  • Has inbuilt protection to make them absolutely safe

The Earthing Rod

  • Is placed into the soil outside your room
  • 12m cord 
  • 30cm stainless steel rod
  • Suitable for all weather conditions
  • 2mm thick cord will easily pass through your window seal and allow the window to close
  • It can be used with 'splitters' to add additional products to one Rod
  • Has inbuilt protection to make them absolutely safe

Note: Each earthing item you purchase also comes with a 5m 'product cord' which connects the Earthing product to the Rod / Plug 

Earthing Plug vs Rod? Which one is better? 

They are the same when it comes to having the same Earthing effect. 

When selecting the Earthing plug version, we recommended including the power socket tester. with your order

The Socket tester is a straightforward device that will ensure that the 'Earth' connection on any PowerPoint you want to use is correctly wired and connected to Earth.

Socket tester

Rod vs Plug added benefits: 

The Plug offers convenience & portability.

Plugs are convenient to travel with (always test an unfamiliar power socket with the tester). They can be easily moved from room to room.

I use the plug version for my Earthing desk mats at home and the Office. I also use the Plug for a pillow cover when I 'sleep over' at the Fire Station. 

 

The Rod gives the benefit of 'mindset'; you can visibly see the connection to Earth. Our mindset in life is a valuable tool in all that we do. For this reason, my wife and I use the Earthing rod at home with our Earthing underlay and pillow covers. 

Included with the Rod is a 12m cord. Combining this with each item's 5m product cord gives you up to 17m to reach from the Rod in the ground to your Earthing Underlay or other product. Of course, if not needed, you can leave the cord coiled and tied up tidy. 17m Should easily work for a home of up to three levels. 

Great for use in a motorhome, camping or travelling overseas where you know you can connect to Earth safely. 

 

FAQ's 

Earthing Rod

Q) How far does the Earthing rod need to go into the ground

A) Halfway or more is best. In reality, as soon as the metal contacts Earth, it will connect to your product via the cord. The Rod needs to be in Earth far enough, so it doesn't fall over or get taken by the dog!

Q) Is the Rod ok to get wet? 

A) Yes, absolutely; the natural conductivity will increase. The Rod itself is made from stainless steel and will last many years. 

Q) Can I use the Rod in a pot plant?

A) No, not unless there is a direct connection to Earth via the bottom of the pot. 

Q) What ground is best to use a rod in?

A) Natural soil is best. If your soil is primarily sand, it may be best to find soil or go for the plug version

Q) When I test the cord attached to the Rod with my multimeter, I get a reading telling me that it is faulty? 

A) The cord has an inbuilt inline100k ohm resistor preventing any stray electricity from travelling up the cord into the Earthing product. It is not faulty. 

Q) Can I close my window with the cord running through it?

A) Yes, the cord is only 2mm thick and easily passes through the window, allowing it to shut entirely. The corner of your window might be the best. 

 

Earthing Plug

Q) Do I need to turn the power switch on or off?

A) It makes no difference to the benefits of your Earthing products if the power switch is on or off. Only the Earthing pin of the Plug is made of metal and is conductive. The other two pins are plastic and act as 'locators', so you cannot insert them into the wrong pin receptor. 

Q) Can I leave the Earthing plug plugged in?

A) Yes you can leave it plugged in when not in use.

Q) Can I use an extension lead or a multi-box

A) Yes, providing that the lead / multi-box is Earthed. You will know this by ensuring its Plug has the bottom middle 'Earth' pin. You can test for Earth using our 'Socket tester'.

Q) Do I need an electrician to test my power points? 

A) If selecting the Earthing plug, we recommend first using the 'Socket tester' to ensure each Plug is safe. The socket tester will quickly show you if it's wired and connected to Earth correctly. If you get any other reading than 'correct' on the tester, then YES, you must consult with an electrician. 

Q) When I test the cord attached to the Plug with my multimeter, I get a reading telling me that it is faulty? 

The Plug itself and the cord supplied have inbuilt protection preventing any stray electricity from travelling up the cord into the Earthing product. It is not a broken connection

Q) If the power goes out, will my Earthing product still work? 

A) Yes, no Earthing product uses power. Only the Earth is connected and will continue to deliver the powerful benefits of Earthing uninterrupted. 

 

Safety

Q) Can I use a plug for my pillow and a rod for my underlay? 

No, you should only ever use one Earthing connection when in contact with multiple Earthing products, such as using an Earthing pillow with an Underlay. This can create a 'ground loop' where the 'electrical potential' could differ between your two Earthing sources. 

Using two earthing plugs in your room is okay because they are connected to the same Rod.  

Q) Can I be electrocuted during a lightning storm?

A) All GK Earthing products have inbuilt protection with a current limiting 100k ohm resistor. In the unlikely event that your home is struck by lightning, the voltage will take the path of least resistance to Earth via systems like plumping pipes, electrical wiring, telephone, fibre cable directly to Earth.

If the voltage enters the cord, the resistor will melt and disconnect the cord. 

Lightning is still an unknown phenomenon; if you have any worries at all, you can disconnect the dome connection of the Earthing product while the storm passes. 

Q) Can I put the Rod next to the existing electrical system rod buried in the ground. 

A) You should put the Earthing rod you'll be using with your GK products at least 6meters away from your home/Office electrical systems earthing Rod to prevent any 'loop'. 

 

Earthing Rod - Instructions     

Earthing Rod + 12m Cord

  • Remove plastic cover from spike and place in soil/garden   
  • Take 12m cord through the window (or under your floor) up into the room
  • Attach the male connector of the 5m 'product cord' to the female connector of the 12m cord. 
  • Attached the dome connection from the product cord onto GK Earthing product
  • You are now connected to Earth when in contact with the product

Note: You may have 'splitter/s' attached to your 12m cord, allowing multiple products to connect to the one Rod. I.e. Our Premium Earthing Package deals.

Earthing Plug - Instructions

Earthing plug with cord

Earthing Plug - Instructions

  • Test power outlet with Socket tester (Recommended) 
  • Insert the male end of 5m 'product' cord into the female connector on the Plug and push fully in
  • Connect the dome connector to your GK Earthing product
  • You are now connected to Earth when in contact with the product

Location of the 100k ohm resistor in all 5m Product cords

 Product cord resistor

Inside the 'Earthing Plug' showing inbuilt fuse

Inside the plug

Back to blog