EEVblog Electronics Community Forum
Products => Test Equipment => Topic started by: Asad on February 14, 2015, 06:52:55 pm
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I am trying to select an insulation meter for measuring insulation resistance of a solenoid assembly. The meter will be used later on for other projects too as and when required.
I want it to be a handheld unit (easily transportable in toolkit for field testing) which will also be used to verify specifications of the assembly for production QC purposes. I require provision of minimum of both 50V and 100V capability with maximum range of 500-1000V. Discrete steps or adjustable voltage step size are both ok. I have found a few models which seem to suit my requirements:
1 - Megger MIT410-TC2/EN (http://www.megger.com/us/products/ProductDetails.php?ID=993#View%20MIT410TC2_430TC2_DS_en_V06_LR.pdf) (500V, 100GOhm)
2 - Megger MIT430-TC2/EN (http://www.megger.com/us/products/ProductDetails.php?ID=2527&Description=) (1000V, 200GOhm)
3 - Keysight U1452A (http://www.keysight.com/en/pd-2420865-pn-U1452A/insulation-resistance-tester-50v-to-1000v?nid=-32916.1090997&cc=US&lc=eng) (1000V, 260GOhm)
4 - Keysight U1453A (http://www.keysight.com/en/pd-2420903-pn-U1453A/insulation-resistance-tester-oled-display-50v-to-1kv?nid=-32916.1090990&cc=US&lc=eng) (1000V, 260GOhm)
5 - Keysight U1461A (http://www.keysight.com/en/pd-2420910-pn-U1461A/insulation-multimeter-oled-display-50v-to-1kv?nid=-32916.1090989&cc=US&lc=eng) (1000V, 260GOhm)
I need help with following for which I will love to have your input:
1 - Which would you go for and why? Selecting the best option from amongst the five above.
2 - The best supplier for Megger and Keysight in the US with lowest pricing (discounts?), preferably having above meters in stock ready-to-ship. Any advice on supplier selection is welcome.
3 - Bluetooth, logging and other gimmicks are not a priority. I want a device which will do its primary job (insulation resistance measurement) day in and day out without a hiccup, can handle some rough use and doesn't require frequent re-calibration.
4 - Should have an easy to use interface which doesn't need a 4-year degree to navigate and configure.
Is Keysight any good now? I ask, because I have read reviews here where third party OEMs make their (Keysight's) equipment and just stamp the Agilent/Keysight logo on top.
I look forward to reading your replies and your help with this query.
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Why, these five? What is so special about this solenoid that you need 100+ GigaOhm resolution?
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I would go with the second one from Megger, because I have seen them used by UK service people, and they survive being abused, dropped into cow patties ( he works doing refrigeration in rural areas) and generally rattling in a tool box, and this style from Megger survives well. Plus it is a good enough voltmeter and continuity tester as well, with good fast response and a large easy to read display.
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Why, these five? What is so special about this solenoid that you need 100+ GigaOhm resolution?
Different ranges are applicable to different test voltages. Generally, the higher the range at maximum voltage, the more the range at the lower voltages too.
These five, because they offer 50V and 100V alongside suitable resistance range. Even Fluke's insulation tester handheld variants don't have the lower voltages with more than 1GOhm resistance. Better to buy moderately expensive once rather than buying no-name cheap multiple times.