Ground Bond Testers

Ground Bond Testers

Ground Bond Testers measure the resistance between ground and the equipment or surface being considered. Testing of large scale electrical installations can also be evaluated. High current is applied and the voltage drop at the measurement or connection point is measured, which in turn allows each unit to display resistance. Although acceptable resistance values depend on the standard and specification of the tested apparatus, low values such as 0.5 ohm or 0.1 ohm may meet specified standards. Please check your requirements.

Standard certification is usually required for safety. Since the test is the measurement of very low resistance, this test relates to the safety of the system. The instrument or surface is tested for electrical hazard or shock. Some key features of applications for Earth and Ground Bonding Instrumentation include:

• Perform protective continuity testing in Compliance with International Safety Standards
• Protective continuity resistance measurement for medical devices and general electrical devices
• Ground connectivity testing when installing electrical machine tools and distribution panels
• Test protective grounding and electrostatic fields such as grounding work for medical equipment
• Evaluate contact status using large currents
• Feedback control system capable of applying a stable current, even with a fluctuating load
• Provide a soft-start function which confirms the connection to the device under test before applying current

Some key product features which may enhance the capability of Earth and Ground Bonding Instrumentation may include:

• Test Sequence Memory Capability
• Ground Bond Test Capability
• Broadband Arc Detection
• 4-Wire Milli-Ohmmeter Function
• Secure Level of Operator Safety
• High Power Output
• Wide Range of Voltage Capabilities
• Built-in Phase Angle Measurement for AC Signals
• Ramp High / Dwell Low Current Limits
• Test Report capability
• Ethernet and GPIB Pico-Amp Leakage Measurement
• Cable Compensation Multi-Mode IR Test Capability
• Continuously Variable IR Test Voltage Capability

Since the testing of Earth and Ground Bonding is a measure of low resistance, the procedure may utilize a two wire system, but usually requires a four wire (Kelvin) test probe. Kelvin Probes permit resistance measurements that ensure all contact and lead resistances of the probes are compensated, leading to a more accurate result over two wire testing.
Key Users of Earth and Ground Bond Testers Include:

• Telecom Engineers
• Power Systems Engineers
• Electricians
• Electrical contractors
• Medical Test Engineers
• Consulting Engineers

Electrical Safety Test Methods for Equipment

Powered equipment from hand tools, appliances, industrial equipment, and instruments to medical devices and more are tested for electrical safety to various global standards.

For example, IEC 60990 Standard discusses the safety involving the flow of leakage or touch current through the human body. The effect of electric current on a human body can be extremely dangerous. It provides measuring methods for the four body responses:
JIS T 0601-1 is the Japanese modification of the existing IEC 60601-1 Safety Standard. IEC 60601-1 is the accepted standard for safety testing of all medical equipment. Both consider safety to be the primary concern.

Here are more standards to consider. Note: It is a partial list. Also, if a test instrument we offer does not specifically list a particular test method, that does not necessarily mean it cannot be used. Since there are so many test methods, the litereture may not enumerate them all. Please contact us with the specific method and we can research it for you.

ANSI / AAMI EC11	Diagnostic Electrocardiographic Devices	U.S.
ANSI / AAMI EC13	Cardiac Monitors, Heart Rate Meters, and Alarms	U.S.
ANSI / AAMI EC53	ECG Cables and Leadwires	U.S.
ANSI / IEEE C37.60	High-voltage Switchgear and Controlgear	U.S.
ANSI A92.2	Vehicle Mounted Elevating and Rotating Work Platforms	U.S.
BS EN 61557	Electrical safety in low voltage distribution systems up to 1000VAC and 1500VDC	British
BS 7671	Requirements for Electrical Installations, IEE Wiring Regulations	British
DIN VDE 0701-0702	0701 Repair, Modification, and Inspection of Electrical Equipment. 0702 Periodic Testing of Electrical Equipment	German
EN 55024	Information Technology Equipment	Europe
GR-1089	Electromagnetic Compatibility and Electrical Safety - Generic Criteria for Network Telecommunication Equipment	U.S.
IEC 384-14, Annex A, Table VXI	Capacitors	Europe
IEC 50144 BS EN 50144	Safety of Hand-held Electric Motor Operated Tools	Europe/ British
IEC 60065	Audio, Video, and Similar Electronic Apparatus - Safety Requirements	Europe
IEC 60204-1	Safety of Machinery	Europe
IEC 60335-1	Safety of Electrical Household Appliances	Europe
IEC 60601-1	Medical Electrical Equipment - Part 1: General Requirements for Basic Safety and Essential Performance	Europe
IEC 60601-2	Medical Electrical Equipment - Part 2: Particular Requirements for the Basic Safety and Essential Performance of Gamma Beam Therapy Equipment	Europe
IEC 60745	Safety of Hand-operated Motor-driven Electric Tools	Europe
IEC 60950-1	Safety of Information Technology Equipment	Europe
IEC 60990	Methods of Measurement of Touch Current and Protective Conductor Current	Europe
IEC 61010-1	Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use	Europe
IEC 61029	Safety of Transportable Motor-Operated Electric Tools	Europe
IEC 61730-2	Photovoltaic (PV) Module Safety Qualification - Part 2 Requirements for Testing	Europe
IEC 61813	Live Working - Care, Maintenance and In-service testing of Aerial Devices with Insulating Booms	Europe
IEC 62052-11	Electricity Metering Equipment (AC) - General Requirements, Tests, and Test Conditions	Europe
IEC 62353	Medical Electrical Equipment - Recurrent Test and Test After Repair of Medical Electrical Equipment	Europe
IEC 62446	Grid Connected Photovoltaic Systems - Minimum requirements for System Documentation, Commissioning Tests and Inspection	Europe
ITU-T K.20	Resistibility of Telecommunication Equipment Installed in a Telecommunications Centre to Overvoltages and Overcurrents	Europe
ITU-T K.21	Resistibility of Telecommunication Equipment Installed in Customer premises to Overvoltages and Overcurrents	Europe
JIS B8561	Vending Machines - Test Method	Japan
JIS C9250	Microwave Ovens	Japan
JIS T 0601-1	Electrical Safety Standard for Medical Devices	Japan
TE-001, Para. 17	Telephone Surge Test Equipment: For the Lightning Protection Tests	South Africa
TIA/EIA/IS-968	Telecommunications Telephone Terminal Equipment Technical Requirements for Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network. (formerly known as FCC Part 68)	U.S.
uL 492	Power-operated Radio Receiving Appliances	U.S.
uL 746E	Polymeric Materials - Industrial Laminates, Filament Wound Tubing, Vulcanized Fibre, and Materials Used In Printed-Wiring Boards (Section 19 covers requirements for conformal coatings used instead of electrical spacings to increase the dielectric withstand voltage between traces on a printed-wiring board.)	U.S.
uL 2231-1	Standard for Safety for Personnel Protection Systems for Electric Vehicle (EV) Supply Circuits: General Requirements	U.S.
uL 2231-2	Standard for Safety for Personnel Protection Systems for Electric Vehicle (EV) Supply Circuits: particular Requirements for Protection Devices for Use in Charging Systems	U.S.