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Live electrical testing and relative humidity
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Does anyone know whether there is a relative humidity at which live electrical testing becomes a serious hazard?
This isn't really my area but someone I work with can't find an answer to this anywhere, although the technicians carrying out the work are mentioning 80% as the magic number.
If anyone can help I would be grateful especially if they could provide any reference for their information.
Thanks
Lucy
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Rank: Forum user
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lucy, from working in housing for many years and condensation being a big problem , humidity of 80% and above will condense on a surface below 20 degrees , dont know if this info is accurate or of any use to your problem
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Rank: Super forum user
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If you struggle to get an answer try looking at on posting the question on http://www.theiet.org/forums/forum
I am no electrical engineer but there is a huge amount of electrical information on the forum and I have found it very useful in giving informative answers.
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Rank: Super forum user
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LucyD,
I am guessing low voltage testing?
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Rank: Forum user
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Thank you so far for all your help.
In answer to Paul's question they are currently doing breakdown tests and the max current used is 43KW (but it may possibly be higher in future).
They are working in a much hotter and more humid country than the UK.
The concern has been raised because BSEN60060 para 4.3.2 which talks about irregular disruptive discharge voltage becoming irregular when the humidity exceeds 80% - I think it is suggesting it affects the quality of the test results rather than having h&s implications, but being chem eng rather than elec eng I know this is going beyond my competency in this subject.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Lucy,
I am kind of guessing you mean 43kV not kW?
Just to add insult to injury, it's a lower case letter k, & kW is not a current it's a power! ;) ;) ;)
So, if you are at HV which 43kV is, then yes humidity will definitely affect the readings, as you will get all sorts of effects.
Which part of 60060 are you referring to?
-1, -2 or -3?
I was kind of guessing -3 as you are testing on site, but it seems you are looking at -1.
Looking at the para you quote, it does detail the 80% value.
Yes it does relate this to test quality, and that is valid.
I would also be wary of the chances of chaotic tracking over the test equipment, so I would go with the people who are doing the testing.
Also once the humidity gets to a critical level, then any contamination on the EuT or the test equipment can have an effect on the tracking, so both on the results and the safety.
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Rank: Forum user
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Sorry Paul jet lag affecting my brain.
The live testing is taking place on the equipment manufacturing site so it is 60060-1 that applies.
Unfortunately, if they cannot test under these conditions this probably means a two week production loss. As I said at the start I am asking the question as a favour as it's not part of my involvement in the project, so thanks for your help I appreciate it.
You have however made me homesick for the British mickey taking culture - never quite the same elsewhere!
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