Sentry Hipot Tester AC/DC/IR

The O.S.C function is used to check whether the connection is an open connection or that a short circuit exists between an instrument and DUT (equipment under test) before the Electrical Safety Test. If there is a bad connection between the instrument and DUT, for instance a bad lead or relay oxidation, the test will also PASS. In some cases, the DUT has a short before testing. In this case, testing can lead to a broken test instrument due to the high load current. Therefore, our test devices check for open and short circuit conditions to ensure effective testing and protect instruments.

Generally, DUT have capacitive load (Cx) from tens to thousands of pF. If there is an open connection, a capacitance will appear and total capacitive load will be lower than normal conditions. If the DUT is shorting, total capacitive load is higher than that in normal conditions. Therefore, we can measure the value of capacitive load to check whether the contact is good or not.

Test environments often require that test equipment be equipped with an auto interrupt device. For this reason, Chroma provides a Ground Fault Interrupt (GFI) function. When the current meter A1 and A2 detect a difference (i2-i1=iH) between the value i1 and the actual i2 test current over high, the device can cut power transiently to protect human body safety. It is not only compliant with safety standards but also provides additional safeguards for test personnel.

Fast transients in Voltage or Current occurring while Hi-Pot testing is called Electrical Flashover. Normally, in AC line frequency (50Hz/60Hz) or DC Hi-Pot testing, the leakage current is the same as 50Hz/60Hz or DC (charge current is excepted).

On the other hand, electrical discharge occurring because of poor insulation material, electrode gap or surface clearance etc., fast transients in leakage current appear as shown in Figure 2. This is a phenomenon of poor withstanding. Most Electrical Safety regulations mention the necessity of a Withstand Strength Test. Nevertheless, general Hi-Pot testers only detect the RMS value of leakage current without the capability to detect Flashover. Therefore, the FLASHOVER detection function included with our Hi-Pot tester is necessary.