What is this test gear????

[jonslab]

I found these old test equipment listed on ebay,  (https://www.ebay.com/itm/154154998189 ) a vintage multimeter, an insulation tester (whatever that is) and unknown third one with some Japanese writings on it. I wonder if anyone knows what is it, I'm just curious!

Thanks

[tszaboo]

I think there are two insulation testers on that picture.

[jonslab]

They look different!

[chrisl]

https://www.iowaind.com/Industrial-Machine-Repair-/Nuts-and-Bolts-/Kyoritsu-hewmeg-500-insulation-tester-w-voltmeter-rare.asp
So it is a insulation tester w/voltmeter.

[MosherIV]

Yes, looks like an insulation tester.

They apply a (high) voltage then measure the tiny leakage current to determine the 'insulation' resistance.

[jonslab]

So they are of no use for a hobbyist?

[Brumby]

I wouldn't say that.

The question might be "How often would you use one?" - in which case, the answer might be hardly ever....

BUT...

Having something like that available - especially if you get it at a good price and it works - only adds to your capabilities.  Also, learning how it works and playing around with it (carefully) will add to your understanding.



Besides ...... it's test gear!

[m k]

With that you can also learn why certain equipment is usually the one that "discharges your static" electricity.

[MosherIV]

I am not sure that an insulation meter and ESD gun are similar.

Esd guns go way beyond 1000V. They certainly go up to 5KV maybe beyond. I have not used/seen one for many years now.

Insulation meters usually only go up to 1000V. Beyond that, I think you start to go into Voltage withstand testers.

[m k]

Static was quoted.
It was the other way around, like bad EMI filter or so.

[MosherIV]

Static was quoted.
It was the other way around, like bad EMI filter or so.

Sorry, I am not understanding your point here.

I do not think you need an insulation meter to test for bad components in EMI filter, a dmm in resistance mode will find bad components. You do not need to present a high voltage to find bad capacitors, inductor or resistors.
The high voltage is used to find a leakage path that a low voltage would not find.

I am not saying that an insulation meter is not worth having, it is!
Just not useful for finding bad components imo.

[Neilm]

ESD tests are generally 4 kV or 8 kV depending on the standard and the test requirements.

I tend to call insualtion testers High voltage resistance meters as that describes them quite well. They outup high voltage, measure the current and display the resistance. 1 kV testers are generally used in building and wiring applications. These applications are generally fairly low value resistances of up to 1 Gohm. Higher voltages (5 kV to 15 kV) are genarally used to measure much higher resistances, generally in the Tohm range.

[m k]

I am not saying that an insulation meter is not worth having, it is!
Just not useful for finding bad components imo.

Around here it used to be a law, a must have for all commercial repair shops, maybe EU has eased things up.
Like you said, to find a leakage and to be a final test before giving mains connectable stuff back to the customer.

Memory is telling that once I wondered if I should file spikes away from the edge of a desktop case, couldn't see them but they were constantly stinging.
Then for a forgotten reason I realised the case is live, can't remember how it was with the PE-wire.
It was a time before ATX and when mains went back and forth inside the case.
Luckily nowadays those fault current controllers are a must.