This is in relation to testing a Class II, 2 wire system to the European IEC801-2 electrostatic discharge requirements.
The system is used in an environment that may have no earth ground, or earth may be tied back at the substation, or earth may be tied at multiple points along the AC neutral, or an earth ground rod me be available at the users end installation. On application of an ESD pulse to this system, the energy in the ESD pulse will try to find the shortest path to earth ground. 1. Is there a preferred test method to insure conformity of testing between test laboratories, and also the users end installation as their methods of earthing may certainly differ? 2. Would different methods of earthing result in differing results due to differing amounts of system discharge before the next ESD pulse is applied to the system? These questions were prompted by results obtained at two different test laboratories. The systems passed when tested at an independent test lab. in Taiwan. The same units failed when tested by a lab. in the U.S. Thanks for your help.
