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8.14 Touch voltage display
Touch voltage:
The voltage to which an earth conductor may rise during an RCD test. The limit for touch voltage is 50Vac or 25Vac, depending on the
environment.
Touch voltage is caused by excessive resistance in the earth circuit when a load is placed between the live and earth conductors.
Touch voltage is displayed:
- at the end of an RCD test the voltage is below the safe limit
- before an RCD test is started if it would exceed the safe limit.
X
Touch voltage limit
Touch voltage
RCD Trip time
RCD Type
RCD Test mutiples
Touch voltage is calculated using the nominal trip current of the RCD x Earth resistance. For example:
RCD trip current = 30mA
Earth resistance = 1000ohms
0.03A x 1000ohms = 30V
If the calculated touch voltage is less than the Touch voltage limit, the RCD test will proceed. If it is greater than the limit set, the test is
halted.
The Touch Voltage limit is set in section - UL 25V, 50V, 60V
Notes: The touch voltage is always displayed using the nominal trip current of the RCD (ie 1xI).
If using the 1/2xI, 2xI or 5xI test ranges, the touch voltage will still be displayed for 1xI test current, as per IEC 61557-6.
2xI and 5xI can create real touch voltages during the test that are higher than the displayed value. If this voltage exceeds the touch
voltage limit (UL) the test will be stopped.
Under these conditions the display will show the calculated touch voltage on the small digital segments and >50V on the larger digital
segments, as below:
X
8.15 Measurement methods and sources of error
RCD testing - Method of measurement
A two wire lead, or mains plug lead should be used for this measurement. A constant current source is connected across the supply and
the time taken for the supply to trip is measured by the instrument in ms.
RCD testing - Possible sources of error
Measurement results can be affected by the following:
■
Significant operating errors can occur if loads, particularly rotating machinery and capacitive loads are left connected
during tests.
■
A poor connection to the circuit under test.