Q: How can IP devices be tested for Electrical Safety?

A: Typically IP devices have no ground (no protective earth) and no power cord. That means the following cannot be done:

• No protective earth resistance
• No leakage to protective earth
• No single fault tests (there is no power cord - therefore no L1 or L2 wires to open)

That leaves enclosure leakage (touch current).

If the enclosure is plastic (no exposed metal test points) then use a 4 cm square of aluminum foil. This aluminum is taped to the surfaces of the medical device “touchable” by the patient or the clinician who is also touching the patient. Each such available surface must be tested and the maximum leakage reported. The test probe alligator clip is connected to the aluminum foil (which is why it has a certain thickness to prevent tearing), and the measurement is made and compared to the maximum leakage current allowed by the standard. IEC60601-1 and IEC 62353 each have slightly different requirements relative to power on and power off testing.