Hi Eric:
You didn't identify your hi-pot tester or your test setup. So, it is difficult to provide a meaningful response to your situation. Many, but not all, hi-pot testers indeed do include operator safety features. One safety feature is to require the EUT to be grounded BEFORE the high voltage is applied to the EUT. The Rod-L testers have this feature. I believe the Vitrek testers do, too. The principle means for protecting the operator is to ground the EUT. If it is not grounded, and the hi-pot test voltage is applied, then the enclosure will float to the hi-pot test potential, and if an operator should touch the chassis during the test, he will get zapped. Our hi-pot testers (Rod-L) won't apply the test voltage unless the EUT is grounded. They first measure the ground continuity between an accessible part and the ground connection of the power cord. The EUT is grounded through a low-value resistor (i.e., 10 ohms or less) in the hi-pot tester. In addition to grounding the EUT, we require our operators to avoid touching the EUT during the test. In some cases, the EUT is behind a clear plastic shield during the test (the EUT is on a production-line, and the connections are automatic, or semi-automatic, i.e., only the power cord is accessible and need be connected). The preceding presumes the operator is getting zapped from the test voltage. He could also get zapped through leakage from the hi-pot test voltage through some path in the test station. When you've evaluated your situation, I'm sure we would all like to know your findings, i.e., the voltage source and current path for the zaps. And your solution. Best regards, Rich ------------------------------------------------------------- Richard Nute Quality Department Hewlett-Packard Company Product Regulations Group San Diego Division (SDD) Tel : 619 655 3329 16399 West Bernardo Drive FAX : 619 655 4979 San Diego, California 92127 e-mail: [email protected] -------------------------------------------------------------
