What does this grounding and bonding system annual checklist cover?

15 items across 4 sections, covering before the test, resistance test, connection inspection, return and records. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.

Who should run this inspection?

The testing firm performs the ground-resistance measurement; the electrician observes, records the readings and inspects the accessible connections.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

Once a year, scheduled with the testing firm's visit so the resistance-to-ground measurement can be witnessed and logged rather than taken on faith.

Why do these items ask for a photo?

10 of the 15 items call for photo evidence, 12 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.

What most often fails a grounding and bonding system annual inspection?

A resistance reading written down with no reference to the prior year, so a ground that is slowly drying out and climbing goes unnoticed until it's out of range. The test performed only at the main electrode while a separately driven ground for a remote panel or antenna is never measured.

Can I use this checklist in RTI?

Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Free checklist

Grounding and bonding system annual maintenance checklist

The annual grounding system service is the deep pass: the measurements, cleanings and tests a quarterly round doesn't reach. This checklist keeps the full service on record with the photos that make it defensible later. Work is commonly verified against NEC (NFPA 70), NETA maintenance testing standards. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.

Start free with this checklist Download as PDF

The checklist

Every item, and the photo evidence it needs

The photo count on each row is what RTI would require before the item can be submitted. Work the list here and watch the gate hold, or load it into RTI and let it enforce the real thing.

Before the test

Design value and last year's results in hand for the visit
Design or commissioning value, last year's readings and the electrode locations given to the testing firm, so each result is read against its baseline.
No photo
Test method agreed so no ground is lifted live
Fall-of-potential with an electrode isolated only while the service is locked out; otherwise the clamp-on method with every conductor left connected.
No photo
Lockout applied before any cover opens or electrode is lifted
Outage agreed with the owner, and the utility for the service section, every source locked and tagged under the site's procedure, and absence of voltage verified.

Resistance test

Ground-resistance test observed and readings recorded
The testing firm's measurement witnessed, method and readings recorded and compared against the prior year, any electrode out of the target range flagged.
Test points and electrodes accounted for
Each driven electrode, ring or supplemental ground identified and measured, not just the one at the main service, results tied to a location.
Test instrument calibration label checked
The testing firm's meter carries a current calibration label or certificate, with its model and serial recorded alongside the results.
Soil and weather conditions recorded with the readings
Recent rain, drought or frozen ground noted with the results, since a dry season reading and a wet one are not directly comparable.
No photo

Connection inspection

Accessible bonds and terminations inspected in detail
Main bonding jumper, electrode connections and equipment bonds inspected, torque verified or resistance measured, re-torqued only where found loose; corrosion cleaned to sound metal.
System bonding continuity confirmed visually
Bonding path traced through metal water, gas and structural connections, jumpers confirmed present across any point that could break continuity.
Electrode and steel connections examined for their joint type
Each accessible joint checked for its type: welds fully fused with no cracks or voids, compression connectors fully crimped, clamps free of corrosion.
Bond continuity measured across piping and steel jumpers
Beyond the visual trace, the testing firm's low-resistance reading across water, gas and steel bonds recorded and compared with last year's.

Return and records

Every electrode connection confirmed made up before restoring
Each electrode conductor seen connected and tight, including any lifted for the test, and access lids seated before a lock comes off or the service is energized.
Covers back on and locks removed by whoever hung them
Panel covers and dead fronts reinstalled with all screws, locks and tags removed by the person who hung them, and the service restored per the owner's plan.
Testing firm's report on file with method and locations
Report attached to the maintenance record naming the method, instrument and each electrode tested, with this year's readings beside last year's.
No photo
Out-of-range or rising results referred to the engineer
Readings above the design value or climbing against baseline sent to the owner and engineer, who decide on any supplemental electrode.
No photo

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

A resistance reading written down with no reference to the prior year, so a ground that is slowly drying out and climbing goes unnoticed until it's out of range.
The test performed only at the main electrode while a separately driven ground for a remote panel or antenna is never measured.

Verified against

Common questions

6 answers

What does this grounding and bonding system annual checklist cover?: 15 items across 4 sections, covering before the test, resistance test, connection inspection, return and records. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.
Who should run this inspection?: The testing firm performs the ground-resistance measurement; the electrician observes, records the readings and inspects the accessible connections.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: Once a year, scheduled with the testing firm's visit so the resistance-to-ground measurement can be witnessed and logged rather than taken on faith.
Why do these items ask for a photo?: 10 of the 15 items call for photo evidence, 12 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.
What most often fails a grounding and bonding system annual inspection?: A resistance reading written down with no reference to the prior year, so a ground that is slowly drying out and climbing goes unnoticed until it's out of range. The test performed only at the main electrode while a separately driven ground for a remote panel or antenna is never measured.
Can I use this checklist in RTI?: Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Related checklists

Grounding and bonding system QuarterlyGrounding and bonding system quarterly maintenance checklistVisible ground connections, bonding jumpers and clamps inspected for corrosion and damage on the quarterly round15 items8 photos

Run it with the Photo Gate

A checklist nobody can submit half-finished

Load this list into RTI, stick a QR tag on the area it covers, and the submit button stays locked until every mandatory item is answered and the 12 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.