60601-1 8.8.3. short circuit of both side during insulation test

Gerald Leo

Registered
IEC 60601-1 : 8.8.3
The circuits on either side of the insulation under test should be connected or short circuited such that components within these circuits do not get stressed during the test. For example, the terminals of the MAINS PART, the SIGNAL INPUT/OUTPUT PART and the PATIENT CONNECTION(S) (if applicable) respectively are short circuited during the test.

what does this mean and why should both side need short circuit?
 

Benjamin Weber

Trusted Information Resource
The dielectric strength test shall test the particular solid insulation under test only. Depending on the actual test scetting, it may happen, that opposite parts of said parts (mains part, SIP/SOP...) may be at different voltage levels. This could lead to stress of those parts which could lead to false results (e.g. by a certain current flowing) and in worst case to a breakdown of the part (which is not the part under test).
By either connecting/short cicuiting (it depends on the particular situation) those parts/lines they are at the same voltage level during the test. So the test voltage is actually only stressing the solid inslation under test.
 
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