ORBetter® Pro-ASEM (Advanced Soil Enhancement Material) reduces earthing resistance in soils where standard earth rods cannot achieve the target of ≤10Ω. Applied around the earth electrode, it absorbs and retains moisture, increases the effective contact area between electrode and soil, and remains stable across seasonal moisture variations. IEC 62305 and NFC 17-102 compliant.
ORBetter® Pro-ASEM is ORBITAL's earthing enhancement compound for installations where standard earth rods cannot achieve the target earthing resistance of ≤10Ω required by IEC 62305-3. This commonly occurs in rocky soils, sandy soils with low moisture retention, arid climates and high-altitude sites where soil conditions are inherently resistive.
Pro-ASEM works by surrounding the earth electrode with a hygroscopic material that absorbs and retains moisture from the surrounding soil. This moisture significantly reduces the soil-to-electrode contact resistance. Unlike bentonite clay — the traditional alternative — Pro-ASEM maintains stable performance across seasonal moisture variation and does not shrink away from the electrode in dry conditions.
| Reference | Pack Size | Coverage per Bag | Cure Time | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORB-ASEM-25 | 25 kg bag | ~1 standard electrode installation | 28 days | All soil types — rocky, sandy, high-resistivity |
| Property | Value / Description |
|---|---|
| Material Type | Hygroscopic mineral compound — absorbs and retains soil moisture |
| Resistance Reduction | Typically 40–70% reduction in electrode contact resistance vs unenhanced installation |
| Seasonal Stability | Maintains performance across dry/wet seasonal variation — does not shrink away from electrode |
| Cure Time | 28 days to full performance — initial improvement visible within 24–48 hours of wetting |
| Compatibility | Compatible with all ORBITAL earth rod materials — copper, copper bonded, stainless steel, aluminium |
| Environmental | Non-toxic, environmentally inert — safe for use in all soil conditions including water table zones |
| Standards | IEC 62305-3 · NFC 17-102 · EN 50164 compliant earthing system component |
Quantity required depends on electrode type, depth and soil conditions. Contact ORBITAL for project-specific guidance.
| Material & Construction | |
| Material Type | Hygroscopic mineral compound — Pro-ASEM formulation |
| Pack Size | 25 kg bag |
| Cure Time | 28 days to full performance |
| Resistance Reduction | Typically 40–70% vs unenhanced installation |
| Performance | |
| Copper Thickness | 254µm — exceeds IEC 62561 minimum of 250µm |
| Seasonal Stability | Maintains performance across dry/wet cycles — unlike bentonite clay |
| Environmental | Non-toxic, environmentally inert — safe near water table |
| Compliance & Standards | |
| Standards | IEC 62305-3 · NFC 17-102 · EN 50164 |
| Component Standard | EN 50164-2 · IEC 62561 |
| CE Marking | Yes |
| Applications | |
| Primary Use | Earth termination system for lightning protection systems |
| Advantage vs Solid Copper | Lower cost, higher mechanical strength — suitable for hard and rocky soils |
| Application | Rocky, sandy, arid, high-altitude — any soil where ≤10Ω cannot be achieved with rods alone |
