touch leakage testing class 2 items

[190ebob]

Hello
Can anybody tell about touch leakage testing and when it should be done. We have a seaward europa plus unit that seems to divert to touch testing when we are testing class 2 items. Any info on this would be great.

 

[Patman]

Yes the Europa like the Supernova is menu driven. (This is what I assume you are using - the menus I mean).

Touch leakage testing is when (on a piece of class II equipment) mains voltage is applied and the earth lead of the tester traced around suspected vulnerable parts of the equipment casing - to see if there's any substantial - (over 0.10mA) earth leakage current, that can result in a belt if touched.

 

[Astris]

Hello
Can anybody tell about touch leakage testing and when it should be done. We have a seaward europa plus unit that seems to divert to touch testing when we are testing class 2 items. Any info on this would be great.

(see CoP Sect. 15.6)
Touch leakage current testing is not intended as a substitute for insulation testing, but can be used where the Insulation Resistance Test cannot be performed or gives suspect results. Basically, it is a live operating test (so take care!) using supply voltage and the test is performed between internal live parts and the external casing to see if any leakage current can be measured. Current limits:

Class 1: portable or hand-held <0.75mA;
Class 1: heating appliances <0.75 mA or 0.75mA per kW whichever is the greater up to a max of 5mA;
Class 1: other equipment <3.5mA.
Class 2: <0.25mA.
Class 3: <0.5mA.

 

[190ebob]

Patman

Yes we are using the europa plus, so do you think for this test to be performed it is down to the user selecting the test?. We have never had this test performed in the past but for some reason it is being used to cover all of our Class 2 items. Thanks for your reply