Insulation resistance monitoring measurement and/ or residual current measurement in electrical installations
The advantages of these measurement methods lie above all in prevention, i.e. these measurements can be carried out continuously and provide the necessary measured values for the safety/hazard assessment of the electrical system at an early stage. In terms of electrical safety, in particular that of electrical equipment which must be continuously available, or systems where it is difficult to measure insulation resistance for technical reasons, this measurement method offers many advantages for practical operation.
However, the application of these measurement methods does not exempt the user from the obligation of carrying out periodic verification of the electrical installation and equipment in accordance with DGUV Regulation 3, e.g. by inspection, testing the continuity of the protective and equipotential bonding conductors and the effectiveness of the switching/disconnection conditions.
The now valid Industrial Safety Ordinance § 10 requires a similar test to be carried out. According to the risk assessment in accordance with § 3 of the BetrSichV, the type, scope and intervals of the necessary tests must be determined for current using equipment in particular. Defects and damage must be detected quickly by these tests. How this inspection is to be carried out is not specified in detail. The person responsible must define the necessary measures and inspection intervals for the residual current monitoring devices used in practice.