Vital areas of electrical safety testing for medical products include leakage current, dielectric breakdown, insulation resistance and ground bond testing. To better understand the differences in these tests and others, this article examines the purpose and techniques for each test then offers a detailed discussion on ensuring the safety of medical electronics.

This application note covers the differences between Ground Bond, Ground Continuity And Earth Continuity tests, and how these tests can result in safer products.

Part 1 discusses the terms and definitions associated with leakage current and the two classes that electronic medical products are divided into per IEC60601-1.

Part 2 builds on the basic principles of leakage current discussed in part 1 and details the IEC60601-1 measurement circuits for Earth, Touch/Chassis and Patient leakage current tests.

This application note describes how IEC 60601-1 leakage current tests can be accomplished without the need to change the cable to a class 2 device during testing.