Current Leakage help
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Current Leakage help
Hello all,
I have a basic Commercial Electric digital multimeter. I've been able to use it to check voltage and ground. Do any of you know how to use it to check for current leakage? I know i have to use the uA or mA settings, but do i need to insert the leads a certain way? What numbers should i bee looking for? Just wondering if i can use the multimeter first before buying a current leakage meter for a few hundred bucks. I'd appreciate the help.
I have a basic Commercial Electric digital multimeter. I've been able to use it to check voltage and ground. Do any of you know how to use it to check for current leakage? I know i have to use the uA or mA settings, but do i need to insert the leads a certain way? What numbers should i bee looking for? Just wondering if i can use the multimeter first before buying a current leakage meter for a few hundred bucks. I'd appreciate the help.
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Sorry, i should have been more specific. I'm just testing outlets at work. Whenever we move equipment and it uses a different outlet than it normally has, i test the voltage and ground, but trying to check for current leaks. Is there a way to use the multimeter on the outlet to test for that?
I should mention that my multimeter is very basic. Has a knob for uA, mA, V-Hz% and CAP and ohms.
I should mention that my multimeter is very basic. Has a knob for uA, mA, V-Hz% and CAP and ohms.
#5
I do not think you need to check for current leaks when you move equipment around for convenience of use.
Can you explain why current leaks would bother you and from where to where you think the leak is occurring?
Can you explain why current leaks would bother you and from where to where you think the leak is occurring?
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I've tried, but like most government agencies, it is impossible to get a direct answer. I just want to do a simple one on our outlets so I can document it and fulfill the requirement of having it documented.
#9
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If they want you to test AC powered items every time they are moved I would have the device plugged in. Use the AC setting on the meter and put one lead on a ground like the ground screw or socket on the electrical socket then put the other probe on bare metal of the device. If read AC voltage then there is some leakage. You can also test by having the device unplugged and check for continuity between the hot blade of it's plug and any exposed bare metal on the device.
#11
They ask for us to check for current leakage and test grounding when we move equipment.
I think I'd use a portable GFCI device to test for current leakage at each outlet plugging the equipment into the portable GFCI device for a quick test. Something like this.
https://www.amazon.com/26020008-6-Sh...52272940&psc=1
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#14
Depends on the resolution and threshold they require. I agree that a GFCI device would probably be a sufficient test for practical purpose. It will trip if current leakage exceeds 6mA, which is the limit for personnel safety. However, given that it's ostensibly a life-safety requirement from OSHA I'm sure they would require a calibrated and certified HIPOT meter from someone like Fluke. We can't make a recommendation for a meter unless we know what thresholds you have to test to.
#15
A leakage test is testing between the case of the appliance to ground. There should be no leakage measured. You can use your meter to test but you'd need to put something in line as a protector. It could be as simple as a 40w light bulb in one of the probe lines and then use the ua scale.
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I looked at the OSHA site and saw reference to 3.5mA max leakage for Class1 grounded movable equipment. Seems to me if you need to prove accurately no more than 3.5 mA you'd need a $700 Fluke current leakage tester.