How to test earth leakage

[the pooks]

I am not an electrician but would nevertheless understand what the normal procedure is to test earth leakage / isolate an earth leakage problem.

One way is to switch all the switches off at the main DB board, switch them on one by one and see which one triggers the earth leakage circuit breaker (ELCB). Trouble with this is, in my case the ELCB only tripped after several minutes. I eventually narrowed the problem down to a certain freezer.

Another way is to use a clamp on earth leakage current meter. As I understand this is just a super sensitive current meter that can read in the range of milliamps. My questions is: does one clamp the meter over the live and neatral of a circuit (to measure any imbalance) or does one clamp over the earth (which can be tricky in a DB board). It should give the same result as any imbalance live/neutral imbalance is supposed to go to earth. What is the normal procedure.

Thanks

 

[Engineer54]

I like this one as a good all round budget leakage tester
Dilog DL6507 10uA to 60A AC Leakage Clamp meter. Buy online or call

 

[i=p/u]

very good links guys. on me tool list which one i dont know

 

[topquark]

I like this one as a good all round budget leakage tester
Dilog DL6507 10uA to 60A AC Leakage Clamp meter. Buy online or call

That'll be on the shortlist for a replacement one; if it doesn't turn up in the van somewhere!

 

[topquark]

On reflection, I think I agree that IR testing is the correct method for any passive system testing ... and that earth leakage detection should be used for an active system. If that makes sense?