RoadTest: Keysight U1461A Insulation Resistance Tester
Author: migration.user
Creation date:
Evaluation Type: Independent Products
Did you receive all parts the manufacturer stated would be included in the package?: True
What other parts do you consider comparable to this product?: Fluke insulation tester
What were the biggest problems encountered?: lack of instructions, improper scaling/ bad graphing on software.
Detailed Review:
The Keysight insulation tester is an overall good meter. To start the meter looks a bit more complex than it is, although there is confusion based on the minimal and vague instruction manual. This meter has a very good range of uses beyond just the standard insulation testing which makes it a very useful tool to have. To only need one meter in hand for most testing on the job site makes for faster easier troubleshooting. I use this meter for testing Generators, electronic components, electrical components, and various other components in switchgear equipment. This meter also has what seemed to be a great idea at first, the phone application via Bluetooth/ computer software via USB, but the execution of the application and software was not great. The data scaling and the graphs are not adequately notated. When looking at the data on the graph the numbers are annotated in the power of 10, which a lot of customers do not readily understand. But the ability to remotely control the meter (when the dial is in a particular function) does help if you are at another part of the system.
The metering functions for Voltage, standard resistance, and micro/mili current are great features to have on the insulation tester because it consolidates the equipment. To top the multi metering/insulation testing function you also get the Auto function for detecting if a circuit is AC or DC on the voltage and micro/mili current functions. The kit that was received had 2 different thermometer probes. At first glance you think that they are different ranges of temperature but the vague instructions and specifications state that the temperature ranges are the same but the meter has to have the settings changed to change the probes. This settings change is a little too complex compared to the ease required to change the range and functions of the meter. The low pass frequency function is another great function that not all meters have, but with the datalog data that the Phone app/ and software provide is so vague that most customers do not understand the scaling and data as stated above. The diode and capacitor functions are great additions that have gotten particularly to of use from myself. Having the more complex diode/capacitor function than the Ohmmeter function takes some of the thought out of proper testing points.
The Earth bond function gives a great idea of proper grounding particularly for medium voltage generators. With that the insulation tester obtained has 50V,100V,250V,500V, and 1000V capabilities. This vast array of test voltages increases the value of this meter. The large array of components that are able to be tested with one meter increases usability and functionality. This kit contained the remote test function allowing me to never take my eyes off of what I am testing, and keeping my hands where they need to be. The lock function makes testing for multiple minutes easier by not having to hold the button.
Finally there is a cool little function that was particularly useful, the Vsense. Vsense is a no contact voltage detector. This is a highly sensitive voltage detector that I have used a lot to maintain safety when walking up on a system. Overall I would recommend this insulation tester to my office to keep on hand as a standard tool group. Aside from the weak programming of the software for data logging it is useful to have the software and application to have multiple screens to witness metered test points.
