Testing IEC Extensions

[paulhandy]

Hi all and thank you for letting me join the forum !! I do a bit of Pat testing at my work and have been asked to test some of the leads that attach to the IEC leads with the plug on(I.e. to make them longer). As these haven't got their own plugs do they have to be tested as surely they are only as good as the lead they are attached to when tested. Thanks

 

[Sintra]

If you are meaning an IEC extension Belkin Pro Series IEC Power Extension Cable 3m: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories then what I would do is connect them to the section of lead with the plug on and test as one lead.

 

[paulhandy]

Thanks, but wouldn't that mean it is only as good as the plug it is tested with?

 

[Richard Burns]

If you test the plug lead first and get the earth resistance you can subtract that from the earth resistance of the combination and get a worst case scenario of resistance for the extension (since you will also be adding the contact resistance of the joint).
If the insulation resistance of the combination complies then the IR of the extension will comply.
In the comments note "tested with item no xyz"
Alternatively plug the lead into the tester and use probes on the other end.