Patent ID: 7886614

Claim:
A method for monitoring a measuring device, especially a measuring device embodied as a measuring, and/or switch, device of industrial measuring, and automation, technology and/or an electronic, measuring device, wherein the measuring device includes a measuring transducer accommodated, at least partially, in a housing, especially a grounded, and/or metal, housing, and a measuring device electronics connected, at least at times, with the measuring transducer, which method comprises the steps of: producing a potential difference between the housing and the measuring device electronics for effecting a leakage current, which flows both through the measuring device electronics as well as also through an electrically conductive connection situated between the housing and the measuring device electronics and exposed to this potential difference, especially an undesired, electrically conductive connection and/or an electrically conductive connection formed by a deposit affecting the housing and/or by condensed water; registering the leakage current flowing as a result of the potential difference existing, at least instantaneously, between the housing and the measuring device electronics and as a result of the at least instantaneously existing, electrically conductive connection; and generating at least one state value, especially a digital state value, instantaneously representing an operating state, especially a defective operating state, of the measuring device, taking into consideration the registered leakage current.