When working with electrical devices, besides getting the job done, the most important thing is to stay safe. And although being properly trained for that is a good start, it gives you no guarantee that things will go your way. An efficient device is also an extra layer of security simply because you won’t fiddle around as much trying to set it at the right frequency or voltage. Much like every electrical device, an insulation tester has certain features and properties that can make using it much safer, but only if you have the right information at hand. Knowing what to look for will not only make using it less of a hassle but it will also help you find what fits your needs way easier.
Experience
Before you head out and buy the most expensive tester you come across, you need to be well aware of your current experience and skillset. Are you a novice or an expert, or maybe somewhere in between? If you are experienced enough to interpret every reading and parameter on electrical insulation testers, you can buy pretty much whichever you like. But if you are still a beginner, it is highly recommended that you get a device with limited functions. This will make it simpler to use and will not get you confused any time you need it.
Voltage Requirement
There’s a whole world of insulation testers on the market but the determining buying factor should be the voltage at which the device can operate. Your voltage requirement will need to match that of the insulation tester. However, sometimes this information isn’t included in the packaging, so your best bet is to check the data industry table of recommendations by the International Electrical Testing Association.
Equipment
The type of equipment that you’ll be testing (or rather the nominal voltage rating, which you can find on the nameplate of the device) is also important when buying electrical insulation testers. This, together with the approximate number of tests that you’ll run over the course of the year, will help you determine the number of features you’ll need the device to have and the overall build quality. The importance of these features should increase as the number of tests you need to perform increases.
Additional Use
You need to consider the various types of applications and also the environment in which you will use the tester. A good example of this is the need for a multimeter – you may not need it all the time but wouldn’t it be convenient if you could use your insulation tester as a multimeter too. Versatility is key if you’re looking for a more efficient device, but you should also consider how portable it is.
