User Manual
28 GMC-I Messtechnik GmbH
8.6 Touch Current – IB
Application
Make sure that the contacted parts are not grounded.
Definition
Current which flows from housing parts which are not connected 
to the protective conductor via an external conductive connection 
to earth or another part of the housing. Flow of current via the 
protective conductor is excluded in this case.
The following designations are also common: 
housing leakage current, probe current
Direct Measuring Method: 
DUT Mains Plug Connected to Test Socket 
Test Probe P1 to P1 Terminals
Figure 1/4: The DUT is operated with line voltage. Current which 
flows to the protective conductor via exposed conductive parts is 
measured by means of the probe. The measurements must be 
performed with mains plug polarity in both directions. Polarity is 
reversed with the NL/LN key. The TRMS, the AC or the DC com-
ponent of the current is measured.
Note
regarding protection class I DUTs: 
Parts may or may not be grounded. 
Coincidental grounding only occurs in the event of an 
error.
Differential Current Method: 
DUT Mains Plug Connected to Test Socket, 
Test Probe P1 to P1 Terminals
Figure 2/4: The DUT (PC2) is operated with line voltage. Differen-
tial current which flows via the two mains conductors is measured 
(current clamp measurement concept). The measurements must 
be performed with mains plug polarity in both directions. Polarity 
is reversed with the NL/LN key. The current’s AC component is 
measured. Accessible conductive parts must be contacted with 
test probe P1.
Alternative Measuring Method (equivalent leakage current) 
DUT Mains Plug Connected to Test Socket, 
Test Probe P1 to P1 Terminals
Figure 3/4: After activating test voltage, leakage current is mea-
sured between short-circuited mains conductors L and N (DUT 
mains plug) and accessible conductive parts (probe contact). The 
TRMS, the AC or the DC component of the current is measured.
Direct Measuring Method for Permanently Installed DUTs
Figure 4/4: The DUT is operated with line voltage from a perma-
nent installation. Leakage current is measured between the pro-
tective conductor at the mains and the output sockets for safety 
extra-low voltage at the DUT, one after the other, with the help of 
the test probe. Furthermore, accessible, conductive parts which 
are not connected to the housing must also be contacted.
Switch 
Setting
Meas. 
Variant
Measuring Function
Single measurements, rotary switch level: green
Measurements at DUTs with line voltage
I
C
Direct
Diff.
Alt.
I
T
Touch current, TRMS
I
T~ 
AC component
I
T= 
DC component
U
LN 
Test vo lta ge
I
B










