Testing earthing equipment per IEC 61230

An earthing set that melts or breaks during an unexpected re-energization stops protecting at exactly the wrong moment. IEC 61230 describes the type tests and gives guidelines for periodic in-service checking.

What does IEC 61230 test?

Test procedure

1. Visual inspection

Check clamps for corrosion, deformation or hairline cracks. Inspect the conductor for broken strands, damage or oxidation at the connection points.

2. Resistance measurement

Measure the resistance from clamp to clamp through the conductor. IEC 61230 sets no fixed maximum resistance limit: compare the measured resistance with the reference value established at commissioning. An increase points to corrosion or a loose connection. Use a micro-ohmmeter for this: an ordinary multimeter lacks the resolution for a reliable measurement.

3. Certification

Measured resistances and inspection results in the test report per earthing set.

Test interval

IEC 61230 prescribes no fixed testing interval. Use the manufacturer’s instructions as a guide for the testing interval, supplemented by a visual inspection before every use.

More about testing high-voltage PPE

This article is part of a series on the periodic testing of high-voltage PPE:

• Testing insulating gloves — IEC 60903
• Testing hot sticks — IEC 60832-1 / 60855-1
• Testing voltage detectors — IEC 61243
• Testing phase comparators — IEC 61481-1
• Testing insulating mats — IEC 61111

Or read the complete overview with all standards and intervals.