STANDARD TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR ELECTRIC WORKS

SITE ACCEPTANCE TESTS (SAT) AFTER INSTALLATION

EARTHING SYSTEMS
TOUCH VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT

TRANSCO STANDARD : SAT-TR-EARTH-TOUCH-(REV.0-2009)

SAT-TR-EARTH-TOUCH (REV. 0-2009) Page 1 of 4

 SITE ACCEPTANCE TESTS AFTER INSTALLATION
EARTHING SYSTEMS
Touch Voltage Measurement

General
Touch voltages can be potential difference between metal structure and ground in 1m distance that can
affect a person standing on the ground and touching the structure (as well as within buildings outside area),
or potential difference between two metal structure reached by both hands at the same time (mainly within
buildings).
Touch voltage can be measured with digital voltmeter with high internal resistance or, in order to simulate
the human body resistance, 1kΩ resistance can be connected in parallel to the voltmeter.
Measuring electrodes that simulate the feet, total surface area of 400 cm2 loaded with minimum 200N each,
will be used for measurement of touch voltage. Both electrodes will be connected together to the voltmeter
and the other side of voltmeter will be connected to point electrode. Point electrode will be used as the
measurement electrode to simulate the hand. Any coats of paint on the place of measurement (but not
insulation) shall be reliably pierced.
When measuring the touch voltage on an installation component the electrode shall be set up 1 m away from
the accessible installation component and on a damp cloth or a film of water if the base is concrete or dry
ground.
These values are proportional to the earth current and the top soil resistance.

SAT-TR-EARTH-TOUCH (REV. 0-2009) Page 2 of 4

 SITE ACCEPTANCE TESTS AFTER INSTALLATION
EARTHING SYSTEMS
Touch Voltage Measurement

Test Procedure

METAL
V SURFACE

R = 1kΩ

F F

0.5 M

1M

V = Touch Voltage
VB = Resistor Representing Human Body Resistance
F = Electrode Representing Human Foot

SAT-TR-EARTH-TOUCH (REV. 0-2009) Page 3 of 4

 SITE ACCEPTANCE TESTS AFTER INSTALLATION
EARTHING SYSTEMS
Touch Voltage Measurement

Test Results

Date:______________________________
o
Ambient Temp:______________ C___
Reference Dwg. No.:_________________

No. Test Interval V(V) I(A) Dv(VK) Vt= DV x yy kA Remarks

I

Where:
V : Power Supply Voltage (V)
I : Test Current (A)
Dv : Potential rise of Mesh (V)
Vt : Touch Voltage (V) = Dv x yy kA
I

SAT-TR-EARTH-TOUCH (REV. 0-2009) Page 4 of 4