Operation Manual

18 GMC-I Messtechnik GmbH
I
E
Equipment Leakage Current (differential current – protective conductor current – fault current)
Applications
Equipment leakage current must be measured for all devices.
Definition of Equipment Leakage Current / Protective Conductor Current
IEC 62353 (VDE 0751-1)
Current which flows from a power pack to ground via the protec-
tive conductor, and via exposed conductive parts of the housing
and the applied parts.
Definition of Direct Measurement
Total amount of current which flows through the protective con-
ductor, probe and applied parts in the case of housings which are
isolated from ground.
Definition of Differential Current Measurement
Sum of instantaneous current values which flow via the L and N
conductors at the device mains connection. Differential current is
practically identical to fault current in the event of an error. Fault
current: Current which is caused by an insulation defect, and
which flows via the defective point.
Definition of Alternative Measurement (alternative equipment leakage current)
Alternative leakage current is current which flows through the
active conductors of the device which are connected to each
other (L/N) to the protective conductor, or to the exposed,
conductive parts and the applied parts.
Direct Measurement Method
The device under test is operated with mains power. Current
which flows through the PE conductor to earth at the mains side
of the device connection is measured. The value which has been
adjusted to nominal line voltage is displayed (see section 4.3).
The protective conductor is ineffective during measurement!
Differential Current Measurement Method
The device under test is operated with mains power. The sum of
the momentary values of all currents which flow through all active
conductors (L/N) at the mains side of the device connection is
measured. The measurements must be performed with mains
plug polarity in both directions. The value which has been adjus-
ted to nominal line voltage is displayed (see section 4.3).
Alternative Measurement Method
(alternative equipment leakage current)
The device under test is tested with the nominal voltage which
has been selected in the setup menu. Current which would flow
with this nominal voltage is displayed.
Type of Test Current Parameter
– DIR Protective conductor current, direct
– DIF Differential current
– ALT Alternative equipment leakage current
Mains Polarity Parameter
Polarity can be reversed for tests in accordance with the direct
and differential current methods.