RCBO's and IR testing

I think that there is a serious problem lying hidden here. I do not like disconnecting anything for a periodic inspection, and there is a good case that anything that fails is unsuitable for further service anyway, because how do you know that it does not have an insulation fault inside which could cause a fire? The whole point of a 500 V test is that if two connections could spark between them the test will fail, and if passed the normal mains voltage will not form an arc. Perhaps we are told we need AFDDs because we cannot carry out an insulation test at 500 V? It is fairly easy to design electronics which will not be damaged by a range of mains connected voltages, from several kV transients to the insulation tester. The fact that it seems that these products cannot withstand 500V without damage says that they are not satisfactory or safe for use in the real mains system! It may well be that some items may show low IR test readings (the humble neon indicator for example) but that is something we can all cope with perfectly well. Total failure is completely unacceptable, particularly if that failure is not completely fire proof and safe. There is an IEC document on mains transient capability although I have forgotten what it is called or the number. Clearly the manufacturing standard is faulty in its specification, which should include both 500V DC test and transient resistance.

I think that there is a serious problem lying hidden here. I do not like disconnecting anything for a periodic inspection, and there is a good case that anything that fails is unsuitable for further service anyway, because how do you know that it does not have an insulation fault inside which could cause a fire? The whole point of a 500 V test is that if two connections could spark between them the test will fail, and if passed the normal mains voltage will not form an arc. Perhaps we are told we need AFDDs because we cannot carry out an insulation test at 500 V? It is fairly easy to design electronics which will not be damaged by a range of mains connected voltages, from several kV transients to the insulation tester. The fact that it seems that these products cannot withstand 500V without damage says that they are not satisfactory or safe for use in the real mains system! It may well be that some items may show low IR test readings (the humble neon indicator for example) but that is something we can all cope with perfectly well. Total failure is completely unacceptable, particularly if that failure is not completely fire proof and safe. There is an IEC document on mains transient capability although I have forgotten what it is called or the number. Clearly the manufacturing standard is faulty in its specification, which should include both 500V DC test and transient resistance.