Benning ST 760 - Individual Tests: Protective Conductor Current (IPE); IPE Test Explanation and Application

47
15.4 IPE – Protective conductor current
Explanation
VDE 0701-0702
VDE 0751-1 /
EN 62353
VDE 0544-4 /
EN 60974-4
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
I
II
III
I
II
I
II
X
-
-
X
-
X
-
For devices with protection class I, the protective conductor
current is tested at mains voltage to verify the proper insulation
capacity. This is to ensure that no leakage or fault current flows
from the active parts to earth and that there is no risk of a
dangerous electric flow via accessible conductive parts.
The test sample must be disconnected from the mains.
For the direct and differential current measuring method,
the test socket is supplied with mains voltage.
With the direct current measuring method (I dir.) and the
differential current measuring method (I Δ), the polarity of
the mains plug must be reversed during the test.
The alternative leakage current measuring method is
inadmissible if no insulating resistance measurement
could be carried out on test samples.
For the alternative leakage current measurement, L and
N conductors are shorted. The leakage or fault current
can be twice the value for test samples with bipolar
circuit breakers. For such test samples, the protective
conductor current may be halved.
Check whether the measuring circuit is closed before
starting the test. Otherwise, no protective conductor
current is measured and the test result will be
incorrectly displayed as being positive.
For devices with PE protective measures, the test
sample must be tested in all switch positions (device
functions).
Make sure that all plug connections are properly
connected to each other.
Test samples with capacitor circuits can cause higher
leakage currents. In individual cases, it must be
checked whether the measured leakage current values
comply with the applicable limits.
Application
Class I, IPE, direct current measuring method
Place the test sample onto an insulated surface.
Connection diagram
VDE 0701-0702, VDE 0544-4, VDE 0751-1
Circuit diagram
VDE 0701-0702, VDE 0544-4, VDE 0751-1
 Insert the shock-proof plug of the portable test sample into the
test socket of the appliance tester.
 The test sample is supplied with mains voltage and must be
tested in all switch positions (device functions).
 Please observe inductive/capacitive circuits.
Class I, IPE, differential current measuring method
Measures the sum of all leakage currents
Connection diagram
VDE 0701-0702, VDE 0544-4, VDE 0751-1
Circuit diagram
VDE 0701-0702, VDE 0544-4, VDE 0751-1
 Insert the shock-proof plug of the portable test sample into the
test socket of the appliance tester.
 The test sample is supplied with mains voltage and must be
tested in all switch positions (device functions).
 Please observe inductive/capacitive circuits.