DC leakage current (DCL)

Leakage current, DC Leakage Current (DCL), is an unwanted, parasitic electrical current caused by impurities, poor insulation, material deterioration, humidity or temperature.

Leakage currents occur when there are potential differences between the plates of a capacitor, between closely spaced conductive paths, due to potential leakage, or in silicon with free charge carriers.

Leakage currents, even if they are still so small, make themselves disturbingly noticeable. They discharge capacitors or batteries, cause minute cross currents that impair circuit function and alter common mode rejection or test environments.