Guide to modern insulation testing Typical problems during measurements

As for other electronic equipment, it is strongly recommended not to use the

instrument if condensation occurs due to fast temperature changes.
Accuracy above 1 GΩ at very high relative humidity (beyond 95 %) can be
impaired because of drifting effects in the measuring circuit. More information
can be found in technical specification.
- The problem of condensed humidity in the test equipment which occurs when
this is moved to test location, is similar to the one mentioned for tested insulation.
Therefore, it is also required to wait 4 hours or more to stabilize micro ambient of
the instrument.

5.4 Noisy environment, using filters

During the measurements the electrical noise from surroundings may have important
influence on measurement results. This noise usually occurs as noise current, reaching
values of up to some mA. If we want to reduce the influence of electrical noise, we must
determine the disturbing sources. The most important disturbing sources are:
- AC currents of mains frequency and its harmonics, switching transients, etc. that
cause the results to become unstable. These currents are mostly coupled through
insulation capacitances close to live systems,
- Other currents induced or coupled in electromagnetic environment of tested
insulation,
- Ground loops.
Test leads

Measuring
loop
+
Ut = Rguard
Cstray Tested
Insulation GUARD insulation
resistance M
tester A
-
IA
Load in
Rlea1
AC
mains ~ Mains
mains loop
source loop

Rlea2

Figure 17: Simplified circuit representing the sources of disturbing currents during
insulation test

Figure 17 represents simplified real test circuit during insulation resistance

measurement.

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