insulation resistance test on equipment with high earth leakage

[daisy]

Hi guys.
This is to do with Periodic Inspections. When you are testing a circuit and forget to unplug a piece of equipment that has a high earth leakage could this be damaged doing the ins res test between live and earth. I do not know electronics but is there a connection to earth. The problem has always been, up to now, live/neutral test but i now have doubts about live/earth. Interested to see your views.
Thanks Daisy.

 

[rryles]

You could certainly damage the filters/surge suppressors on the input of the equipment.

Try to remove all equipment.

Test at a lower voltage first. If you get leakage, don't go to higher voltage without investigating first.

 

[Adam W]

Maybe, I wouldn't like to try it. Always test at 250v before you do 500v then if you get a low reading you can investigate why (eg equipment plugged in) before you risk doing damage.

 

[telectrix]

short out L and N first, the test to E at 250v. then there's no chance of applying test voltage across L and N

 

[daisy]

Thanks guys.
That has been my trick over the years,start with 230v and see if it is a low reading live/neutral to earth. But someone has said to me this could damage equipment because the test voltage is DC.
Any thoughts.
Thanks Daisy