Mini review + teardown UNI-T UT501 insulation tester.

[Spawn]

I was looking for a insulation tester for a while, good ones like Fluke or Megger are too expensive for one or two times usage in a year.

So I thought I give it a go on a UNI-T, most of my meters are Fluke or Gossen so I didn’t know what to expect from UNI-T, I must say I have a pocket DMM from UNI-T and it served me well till now.

I picked up a UT501 from ebay for 65USD including shipment, UT501 is more than good enough for house installations with its 1000V. I didn’t have anything  with ground/earth failure when I was doing the video so I can’t show how it reacts on an insulation or ground failure.

I was quite suprized with its build quality to be honest, I have seen a lot no name or el cheapo DMM’s over the years and this one doesn’t feel like one. Test leads, cable and crocodiles are decent, backlight works in dark but its not that bright, screws which hold the tester together don’t have metal receivers, but what do expect for this price. Tester feels still solid without the metal receivers.

If it had normal ohm meter it would be really nice meter, the volt meter is just to indicate voltage and not for accurate measurements, but that’s the whole concept behind a insulation tester, you don’t need a great volt meter in there, I think anyone who own a insulation tester has a decent DMM too.

Anyways here a video with some tests:


And some pictures of UT501:

[Wytnucls]

Thanks for the review. Interesting instrument, seldom seen around here.
Here are the revised models for 2013: UT501A and 502A.
It looks like the 501A has a dual display now, with a better backlight to boot.

[Wytnucls]

There are also three more advanced models in the range, with test voltages up to 5000V, data logging and USB connectivity.
UT511, UT512 and the new UT513A:

[Wytnucls]

'If it had normal ohm meter it would be really nice meter, the volt meter is just to indicate voltage and not for accurate measurements, but that’s the whole concept behind a insulation tester, you don’t need a great volt meter in there, I think anyone who own a insulation tester has a decent DMM too.'

UNI-T sells special Insulation Resistance DMMs UT531 UT532 and UT533, if one requires an all-in-one meter:
The UT532 sells for about USD130.00 + delivery

[SeanB]

A COB 7106, must be a lot cheaper than the DIP40 package.....

Do you have a link for the manual. Looks nice, I might see if it is cheaper than buying one locally.

[iloveelectronics]

A COB 7106, must be a lot cheaper than the DIP40 package.....

Do you have a link for the manual. Looks nice, I might see if it is cheaper than buying one locally.

http://www.uni-trend.com/UT501.html

[SeanB]

Thanks Frankie.......

[Spawn]

UNI-T sells special Insulation Resistance DMMs UT531 UT532 and UT533, if one requires an all-in-one meter:
The UT532 sells for about USD130.00 + delivery

Yes I am aware about those testers, I was just commenting for reviews sake, for the price range including those would be a lot I think lol, but what I didn’t know was the UT501A that looks really neat by showing the voltage output, I can’t see any upgrade on UT502A on outside. If I knew about UT501A I would get that one to be honest, especially after seeing the quality on mine my doubts on UNI-T are getting cleared.

A COB 7106, must be a lot cheaper than the DIP40 package.....

Do you have a link for the manual. Looks nice, I might see if it is cheaper than buying one locally.

Lol SeanB you are right, if they put some molding around it we could call it DIP40 But I think they didn’t want to spend money on it to make it look better.

[M. András]

anyone have a fluke or a megger to take apart and compare?

[Spawn]

Well I worked with hand cranked Megger’s years ago and they were real robust testers, I would love to see the new testers from inside, but comparing those with this 65USD tester would be wrong  Price difference is between 15x till 20 times.

[T4P]

If you look at the UT51Xs ... they are a hell LOT heavier and loaded with crazy features. Certainly they claim 2KG might be the product weight but with that box and many other stuff that jacks up to 3.85kg easily, sure adds on to the base "70SGD" cost but heck.
It's on my list for "must-gets" after i get done with my balling PC build
I am kinda surprised it actually feels good, the UT501

[Spawn]

If you look at the UT51Xs ... they are a hell LOT heavier and loaded with crazy features.

Yes true, but those are totally different price range too.

[T4P]

If you look at the UT51Xs ... they are a hell LOT heavier and loaded with crazy features.

Yes true, but those are totally different price range too.

Depending on where you are getting it from the UT511 and UT501 is priced so close to each other it's dumb to get the UT501 but let me guess, "free" shipping or local shop right?
It's the weight difference that sets them apart 

[Spawn]

I paid 65 USD including shipment, was not free shipment btw, cheapest UT511 is 98 USD including shipment, but I buy only from eBay so that’s maybe the difference, I might get the UT511 and use the UT502 in my toolbox, let me know if you know a cheaper one on eBay for UT511. 

[T4P]

You certainly won't get a low price on ebay when you're in the netherlands 
Anyway. I swear by sea shipping (Not some 3month sea shipping of course, the sort of "free air shipping" timing that DX takes ...) for anything direct to my agent

[Spawn]

Well I order the UT511 now, I wonder how it is build compared to UT501, it is a lot heavier and has more functions, so we will see. When it arrives I will do a separate video and topic for it.

[Stephenniall]

I have an old hand Cranked Megger tester from the 50's Sat on my shelf begging too be took apart, But i imagine it to be rather difficult to put back together... It still works excellently for a 50 year old piece of test equipment !

Stephen.

[Spawn]

Yeah, I did work with those at my first job back than, those things are bullet proof, and it was always nice to shock your colleague with little turn on the crank