Electrical safety

Measurement methods for electrical safety

The measurement methods are prescribed by standards such as EN 60335, EN 61010, EN 60601, EN 60598, EN 60204 and EN 50163. Depending on the standard, these methods include the following measurements:

Dielectric strength (AC/DC withstand)
Insulation resistance (IR)
Earth conductor connection (GC / GB)
Leakage currents (LC)

The principles for the measurement methods and the conditions to be applied in the measurement procedures, such as the level and type of voltage or current, are described in detail in the respective standards.

Ground Continuity Test

Testing the protective conductor is essential for assemblies, devices and systems of protection class I.

This measuring method checks whether the protective earth conductor (PE) is continuously connected to all touchable metallic housing parts. The measurement is carried out at currents of 1 A - 2 A.

Ground Bond Test

The ground bond test places higher demands on the protective conductor test. With this measuring method, the magnitude of the test current is a multiple of the operating current. This measurement makes it easy to determine the dwell time until critical heating.

Such tests are usually carried out before series production during type testing. - However, the ground bond test also provides more accurate results when determining the earth resistance and is therefore often preferred to the ground continuity test as a method.

High-voltage tests

The hipot test (high potential test) or dielectric withstand test, is used to determine the insulation and dielectric strength. This type of measurement method is used with the appropriate measurement technology for assemblies, devices and systems of protection class I + II.

You will find a large selection of high-voltage testers in our comprehensive Shop.

Questions? We are always at your disposal.

Warning symbol for the hipot test for electrical safety

Insulation strength and insulation resistance test

The measurement to determine the insulation strength or the insulation resistance is carried out with DC high voltage between all current-carrying lines necessary for the operation of the product or the system. The limit values relevant for the test are defined by the standard applicable to the product.

Leakage current and discharge current tests

Leakage current and discharge current depend on the insulation of the device.

The measurement procedure simulates various fault situations with the measuring devices that could occur during operation.

During the leakage current measurement, it is determined whether the measured current is within the permissible limits and does not pose a danger to the user in the event of a fault.

Graphic for leakage and discharge current testing for electrical safety

Multifunctional safety tests

Manufacturers of electrical and electronic products are legally obliged to carry out an electrical safety test using extensive measurement technology before the products can be sold. This final test takes place at the end of the manufacturing process and is therefore also referred to as an EOL test (end-of-line test). One example of this is the multifunction tester from the OMNIA II 82xx series from Associated Research.

A 9303 series safety tester from Associated Research

This guarantees the user that there is no potential danger when using the device. With the so-called multifunctional test devices of the measuring methods, all necessary test tasks can be carried out with only one test setup. The test procedures can be automated via the associated software. The results can be documented and are reproducible at any time. Multifunctional test devices from the field of measurement technology are ideally suited for installation in test enclosures.