Ensuring continuity of service

An IT earthing system is mandatory for group 2 medical locations. It must ensure continuity of service to safeguard patients. To meet these requirements, the electrical installation standard IEC 60364 details the requirements to be put in place in an IT system.

In the event of a first insulation fault, the voltage remains below the threshold of the rated contact voltage and prevents the risk of electric shocks.

According to IEC 60364-4-41, the insulation monitoring device (IMD) reports the presence of the first insulation fault with an audible and visual alarm, with the facility continuing to operate.

According to IEC 60364-5-53, the faulty circuit must be identified and brought back into compliance as soon as possible to avoid the protection tripping in the event of a second insulation fault.

Continuity
DETECT THE OCCURENCE
OF A FIRST FAULT
Location
QUICKLY IDENTIFY
THE ORIGIN OF A FAULT

Identify the origin of a fault in the IT system

Example of the architecture of an insulation monitoring system
Example of the architecture of an insulation monitoring system

The IMD combined with the fault location allows you to quickly identify the faulty circuit as follows:

The IMD reports a first fault.

The fault must be identified quickly.

Fixed insulation fault locators (IFL) located as close as possible to a group of loads help to circumscribe the fault.

A portable locator can track the distribution to end loads to pinpoint the fault.

Follow the installation's insulation

It is important to follow the temporal changes in the insulation at load level, prevent any degradation and anticipate the occurrence of a first fault.

Local and remote notifications are essential if the insulation of a load deteriorates, so the degradation can be corrected before it leads to a first fault.

Socomec solution

ISOM Digiware insulation and power monitoring system

ISOM Digiware is a 2-in-1 system for power monitoring and insulationIt incorporates an insulation monitoring device (IMD) and reliable, accurate and responsive insulation fault locators (IFL) for monitoring, alerting and locating. If preset alert thresholds are reached, the system sends an email notification to the operator indicating the circuit in question. IFL are also equipped with LED alarms to quickly identify and confirm the faulty circuit.

Its unique OhmScanner technology continuously monitors the level of insulation per load, with detailed mapping of the installation's insulation accessible from the Edge Webview server. It also distinguishes real resistive faults on load-related capacitive currents and anticipates the occurrence of real insulation faults.