insulation tester - have someone any experience with? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: evava
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2018, 08:01:26 am
content: Hello boys,I am in "need" of handheld insulation testerand into narrower selection got these meters:Fluke 1507 - Fluke meters usually do what are supposed to do, of course this would be winner if the price was lower than it is (even on fleabay).manual:https://dam-assets.fluke.com/s3fs-public/1507____umeng0000.pdfBrymen BM877 - solid performer probablymanual:http://www5.biall.com.pl/BAZA_PRODUKTOW_SMB/102133/102133.INSTRUKCJA_EN..2014-12-15.1.pdfUni-T UT505b - the most bells and whistles, the biggest range of 200Gohms, the lowest price, but it is Uni-T - you never know what you getmanual:https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4Jyby-tjH5oNG5xVktxNmJQdlk/viewI would very much appreciate your views and opinions.

author: JS
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2018, 08:22:42 am
content: I'd probably choose the brymen, bad experience with a uni-t, I wish it still was working as I found it useful for ball park stuff, it had L measurements which was the only way I had to measure that without setting up a rig. All of those around.Brymen would be handy for me to carry one around with the extra dmm functionality, I don't quite get the earth continuity function, it's just a high current, low resistance function?Fluke would give the most confidence out of your measurements for the years to come, if you don't need an all function in a carry out device and just would be sitting in the lab around a lot of others dmms (and you can afford and justify the expense)JS

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2018, 01:01:38 pm
content: I have a UT513 that works very well, but it tends to freeze if there is a breakdown. They fixed that in the UT513A, which is the version I would buy today.Depending on the seriousness of the job, I think Megger is unbeatable (on par with Fluke's prices, though).https://us.megger.com/products/insulation-testing

author: schmitt trigger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2018, 01:05:03 pm
content: At work, we have the Fluke 1587FC. Excellent piece of equipment and it has saved our day more than once.It is expensive though, about US$ 700.

author: noidea
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 09, 2018, 01:40:48 pm
content: Probably a question you should ask yourself is do you really need the DMM functions as well in the same unit or do you just need the insulation testing functions? If you are just using it for insulation resistance testing them you can save a fair bit of money buying something else. What are you going to be using it for?My pick would be the Brymen for all round electrical testing, I was close to buying one myself partially for the better low ohms resolution “earth continuity testing“ ability than the fluke but happened to pick up a slightly used metrahit 27i with four wire milliohms capability for a little bit more than the Brymen.I have other Brymen and Fluke meters so are not biased to either.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2018, 03:38:22 pm
content: Oh, BTW: I just recalled I did a small writeup of my experiences with the UT513 - they still hold true today.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/anyone-with-experience-on-these-uni-t-ut5111213/msg919760/#msg919760

author: Lionered
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2018, 06:05:08 pm
content: I have not tried any one of these but I will pick Brymen once I need to use such tool.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2018, 07:45:20 pm
content: I bought a used fluke 1507 for some 200 euros. just put some automatic searches and wait . you will get one.

author: rjardina
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2018, 02:06:26 am
content: I have not used either the fluke 1507 nor brymen 877. But have used the Fluke 1587 and Brymen 878., which are the sister meters. Both great meters. the 878 is my personal and could not be happier with it. A lot of my jobs have the fluke 1587 and have used it many times. The newer fluke 1587FC has PI and DAR. I like the 878 over the 1587 just due to the earth testing.

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2018, 02:26:39 am
content: I have the Fluke 1587. Bought it years ago and used it every day as an electrician for years. I work on the bench now and it still gets used.Never had a problem with it at all. Whenever it was calibrated, it was always better than stated specs (So never needed adjustment) and was great for zapping the apprentice with.I only wish it could measure more than 550mA, but I ended up with a clamp meter for that anyway.

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2018, 03:59:45 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on July 10, 2018, 02:34:55 amThis is why I chose the Fluke.One blip and I get a good dose of 415V limited only by a breaker rated in the 10's or 100's of amps.For field work, I'll take reliability over features anyday.On the bench where my life isn't at stake, I'll suffer a glitch or two for more shiny bits.

author: evava
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2018, 09:00:25 am
content: Thank you all very much for your observations!Meanwhile I found locally for sale (about $10) this old insulation meter from METRA BLANSKOhttps://www.radiomuseum.org/r/metra_blan_transistorized_insulation_messer_pu_371.htmlfor first attempts and for gaining some experience.And then I will see..