Measuring leakage current with a clamp meter – how to identify a ground fault

What is leakage current

It is a small current that does not return through the normal path but escapes to the ground or metallic parts.

How to measure it

With a suitable leakage current clamp meter, we can check for unwanted current to ground without opening the circuit.

Where it is useful

• When the RCD trips frequently.
• In motors and heating elements.
• In old installations.

Important

Increased leakage requires identifying the root cause rather than simply replacing the residual current device.