MIT1020 2 UG en
MIT1020 2 UG en
MIT1020 2 UG en
MIT1020/2
10kV Digital Insulation Tester
USER MANUAL
G SAFETY WARNINGS
2
CONTENTS
The MIT1020/2 is a microprocessor controlled 10 kV insulation tester n Continuous resistance or current measurement on main display.
offering measurement capability of up to 35 TΩ. The instrument performs n Optional resistance, current, or figure of merit measurements on
automatic tests and has data storage and data retrieval facilities. secondary display.
Polarization index and dielectric discharge tests are performed n Standard test voltages – 250 V, 500 V, 1 kV, 2.5 kV, 5 kV, 10 kV
automatically, and test duration and voltages can be adjusted according n Non-standard test voltages – selectable between 50 V and 1 kV in 10 V
to user preference for these tests. A step voltage test can be performed steps, and selectable between 1 kV and 10 kV in 25 V steps.
automatically, with a default voltage of 1 kV, and test duration of 5
n Test modes include insulation resistance, polarisation index, step
minutes. It is possible for the user to set different voltages and test
voltage and dielectric discharge.
durations for the step voltage test.
n The dielectric absorption ratio is automatically calculated if the
The MIT1020/2 can be powered from the mains supply or by its own corresponding timers are set.
internal rechargeable battery, which provides for at least 4 hours of
n Either burn or breakdown selectable in insulation resistance mode.
continuous testing with a 100 MΩ load. A battery level indicator on the
LCD display indicates battery capacity. Connecting power to the mains n Insulation ‘Alarm Limit’ available in insulation resistance mode.
supply connector will automatically charge the battery whether the n Programmable timers include a main test duration timer, plus T1 and
instrument is switched ‘on’ or ‘off’, except during testing. A high level T2 timers for time resistance method type tests.
of internal isolation allows the instrument to be used while the unit is n Load capacitance and time constant measurements – displayed at end
supplied from the mains. An internal battery management system switches of test.
the instrument off after ten minutes of inactivity. If the battery approaches
n LCD backlight.
a very low state of charge the instrument turns itself off, and mains power
must be applied before the instrument can be used again. Recorded test n Data storage, data retrieval and real time data output.
results and settings will not be lost when the instrument is switched off. n USB or RS232 communications.
A comprehensive LCD display shows resistance, current, capacitance, time n Battery level / charge level indicator.
constant, voltage, timer measurements, and figure of merit measurements
such as polarisation index.
Cleaning
Disconnect the instrument and wipe it with a clean cloth slightly damped
with soapy water or Isopropyl alcohol (IPA).
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POWER LEAD AND BATTERY CHARGING
If the power lead supplied is not suitable for your mains connection, do
not use an adaptor. Always use a power lead fitted with the correct plug.
The instrument is fitted with a two-pin IEC60320 power inlet. Most power
leads are made with three-core cable, so the ground connection will not
be used.
The instrument can be powered from 85 - 265 Vrms a.c. at 50/60 Hz. The
battery will charge as long as the mains supply is connected, except when
a test is in progress. The power On/Off button has a green LED, which
illuminates when mains power is present. For optimum battery life, charge
the battery after each use. A completely exhausted battery will take 14
hours to recharge.
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INSTRUMENT CONTROLS AND INDICATORS
Line USB RS232 Measurement terminals Voltage at Test modes Burn indicator Alarm Data recording
input -ve guard +ve terminals
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Power On/Off button When the test has stopped, the display continues to show the voltage
The instrument will only turn on if this button is pressed, held and then present on the test leads. Pressing either test voltage s or t button will
released when the display responds. The instrument will not turn on if then display the test voltage immediately before the end of the test.
the button is released before the display responds, or if the button is held
down for too long. This is a safety feature to prevent the instrument being Test start / stop button
inadvertently turned on. A test will only start if this button is pressed, held and then released as
soon as the red high voltage warning indicator LED lights. The LCD and
The instrument is turned off either by pressing the button again, or if the red LED high voltage warning indicators flash when the test starts.
instrument is running on the battery, by timing out after 10 minutes of
inactivity. A test will not start if the button is released before the red LED shows, or
pressed continuously for longer than 5 seconds. This is a safety feature to
Upon switching the instrument on the display will first show ‘Ini’ while it
prevent a test being started inadvertently.
undergoes a self-checking routine. When Ini disappears, the instrument is
ready for use.
The presence of a voltage greater than 50 V on the test leads is indicated
Test voltage s and t buttons with flashing high voltage warning indicators. Testing is disabled if the
Using these buttons one of six test voltages can be selected: 250 V, 500 V, external voltage exceeds 80 V.
1 kV, 2.5 kV, 5 kV, and 10 kV. The selected voltage is shown on the display.
Testing will stop if the test start / stop button is pressed again, the
A non standard voltage between 50 V and 10 kV can be selected by holding preset test time is reached, or, if the unit is not in burn mode, insulation
down the ‘Fn’ function button whilst operating the buttons. The selectable breakdown is detected.
voltage is adjustable in 10 V steps between 50 V and 1 kV, and adjustable in
25 V steps between 1 kV and 10 kV. An auto repeat facility is enabled when When a test has finished, the instrument will discharge the load, which
the button is held down, allowing faster travel through the range. may take some time. The operator must always check the load has been
discharged before touching the test leads.
If there is an external voltage greater than 50 V on the test leads, the high
voltage warning indicators are flashed, and the display shows this voltage Ω/I button
instead. The instrument will not perform a test if this voltage is greater than Pressing this button toggles the digital and secondary displays. The details
80 V. available when scrolling the secondary display will depend upon the test
mode selected, whether timers T1 and T2 have been set, and the duration
During a test the display shows the actual voltage on the test leads. If the
of the test. The digital display toggles between insulation resistance and
test voltage is changed during a test, the new test voltage will be displayed
current.
briefly.
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In the ‘IR’, ‘PI’, and ‘DD’ modes the secondary display initially shows the
PI (polarity index), DAR (dielectric absorption ratio), and, on completion
of the test, the TC (time constant) and capacitance measurements.
Toggling the display shows insulation resistances and currents.
In the ‘SV’ (step voltage) mode, the secondary display toggles between
insulation resistances and currents.
Figures 1 to 4 illustrate the display status for sequential ‘Ω/I’ key presses in
the different modes. Press Ω/I
Press Ω/I
Press Ω/I
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Press Ω/I Press Ω/I
Figure 2 - The result of a polarity index test (PI) Figure 3 - The result of a dielectric discharge test (DD)
Test settings: T1 and T2 times set in order to measure the DAR Test settings: T1 and T2 times set in order to measure the DAR
Test conditions: timer defaults to 10 minutes, as this is required for a PI Test condition: test runs for longer than 10 minutes as this is required for
reading a PI reading.
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Button Press Function Comment
Fn + Vs Increment in 10 V steps Voltage range between
50 and 1000 V
Fn + Vt Decrement in 10 V steps Voltage range between
50 and 1000 V
Fn + Vs Increment in 25 V steps Voltage range between
1000 and 10000 V
Fn + Vt Decrement in 25 V steps Voltage range between
Press Ω/I Press Ω/I
1000 and 10000 V
Fn + Ts or Tt Cycle through timers Select main timer, T1 or
T2
Fn + Mode Cycle through IR modes Select breakdown, burn
or alarm limit for IR test
Fn + Download mode See ‘Downloading
results’
Fn + Clear stored data The ‘record’ button is
pressed
twice
Figure 4 - The result of a step voltage (SV) test
Test condition: timer defaults to 5 minutes and test voltage defaults to
1000 V. Mode button
Press down on the ‘MODE’ button to cycle through and select the test
B button mode. Modes of test to be chosen from include an insulation resistance ‘IR’
Pressing this button toggles the display backlight on and off. test, a polarization index ‘PI’ test, a step voltage ‘SV’ test, and a dielectric
discharge ‘DD’ test.
Fn button
The function button when pressed allows other keys to perform another The insulation resistance ‘IR’ test operates in either ‘burn’ or ‘breakdown’
function. This is summarized in the table below. ‘Vs and ‘Vt represent the mode, with an option of setting a resistance threshold ‘alarm limit’. These
test voltage buttons. ‘Ts and ‘Tt represent the timer buttons. modes can be cycled through and selected by holding down the Fn button
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and pressing the Mode button. Recording to on-board memory
Timer s and t buttons Press the record button to start and stop recording. When data recording
The main timer can be set up to 99mins 59secs. The Ts button is enabled the record symbol will flash on and off repeatedly. Recording
increments the time, and the Tt button decrements the time in ten can only be activated before testing commences. Results are stored at
seconds steps. An auto repeat facility allows the time to be set more 15, 30, 45 and 60 seconds. After 60 seconds, at minute intervals up to 10
quickly. Setting a time of 00:00 disables the timer. With the timer disabled minutes. After 10 minutes, results are recorded at 5 minute intervals until
a test has to be manually stopped. the test terminates. At each interval the recorded data will contain selected
voltage, test time elapsed, voltage applied, leakage current, and insulation
The minimum timer setting is 15 seconds for test voltages of 1000 V or resistance.
more, and 30 seconds below this.
Downloading results
To select timer Tmain, T1 or T2 hold down the Fn button whilst Connect the instrument to the RS232 / USB port of a PC running Download
repeatedly pressing the Ts or Ttbuttons. To set the selected timer, Manager. Refer to section ‘RS232 / USB connection’ for set up details. Start
release the Fn button, and use the Ts or Ttbuttons. Download Manager on your PC, select the MIT520 / MIT1020 driver and
right click the icon. Select ‘Download’.
Note: T2 cannot exceed the time on main timer unless it is disabled
(00:00). T1 cannot exceed the time on T2. Switch the instrument on and wait until initialisation is complete. Press
the function key along with the record key. The instrument now displays
Record button ‘dld’ to indicate download mode. Press and hold down test button until
This button is used to start and stop recording. Recording can only be download begins, shown by analogue display lighting clockwise.
activated before testing. When data recording is enabled the ‘record’
symbol flashes. Results will not be erased during this operation and so may be downloaded
repeatedly.
Data is stored in solid-state memory and under normal circumstances will
maintain its integrity for in excess of ten years, but may rarely be corrupted Deleting test results
or lost by external influences such as transients and static discharge. Switch the instrument on and wait until initialisation is complete. Hold
Megger Limited cannot accept responsibility for any losses of data. Regular down the function key and press the record key twice. The instrument now
downloading to a PC using software such as Download Manager will displays ‘clr’ to indicate clear mode. Press and hold down test button until
substantially reduce any such risk. clear process begins, shown by analogue display lighting anti clockwise.
Press the MODE button to exit without deleting the results.
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Recording to a PC terminal i.e. if the insulator is clean and there are unlikely to be any adverse
While carrying out a test, the instrument will output the test voltage, current paths. However in cable testing for example, there may be surface
test current and resistance every second. Refer to section ‘RS232 / USB leakage paths across the insulation between the bare cable and the external
connection’ for setup details. Connect the instrument to the RS232 / USB sheathing due to the presence of moisture or dirt. Where it is required to
port of the PC. The data may be captured with Microsoft® HyperTerminal or remove the effect of this leakage, particularly at high testing voltages, a bare
another suitable programme. wire may be bound tightly around the insulation and connected via the third
test lead to the guard terminal ‘G’.
High voltage warning LED Leakage Path
This is a red LED next to the TEST button on the front panel. The LED
flashes when the voltage on the test inputs exceeds 50 V.
To +ve Terminal
Test terminals
There are three test terminals marked +, - and G. These terminals are The guard terminal is at the same potential as the negative terminal. Since
designed to accept only the test leads supplied. Shutters across the the leakage resistance is effectively in parallel with the resistance to be
terminals prevent accidental ingress of dirt and other objects. Test lead measured, the use of the guard causes the current flowing through surface
plugs interlock with the shutters and are released by rotating the test lead leakage to be diverted from the measuring circuit. The instrument therefore
plug a quarter turn. reads the leakage of the insulator, ignoring leakage across its surface.
The Guard terminal is explained below and is only used in cases where The display will show ‘FUS’ if the internal guard terminal fuse is found to
surface leakage currents need to be eliminated. Most measurements use just have blown. The instrument must be switched off to clear the message
the + and – terminals. The instrument’s internal voltage generator drives before further testing is permitted. The fuse should be replaced by an
the + terminal with respect to the – terminal, current being measured in authorised repairer. The instrument may be used in the mean time if the
the – terminal. guard terminal not used. Refer to notes regarding measurements above
100 GΩ on page 18.
Guard terminal
For basic insulation tests and where there is little possibility of surface
leakage affecting the measurement, it is unnecessary to use the guard
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RS232 / USB connection When mains power is present the indicator shows the battery is being
Data can be transferred to a PC via an RS232 or USB port. If using the charged by animating the segments of the bar graph.
RS232 port, use the null modem cable supplied. The RS232 settings are
38400 Baud, 8 data bits, 0 parity, 1 stop bit, no flow control (handshake). Voltage at terminals
If using the USB port, ensure that the USB driver supplied on the The test voltage will default to that selected in the previous test. If the
accompanying product CD has been installed BEFORE connecting the instrument has been switched off since the previous test, the test voltage
instrument. Installation instructions are also to be found on the CD. defaults to 250 V. If there is an external voltage greater than 80 V present,
Programmes such as Megger Download Manager may be used to this will be displayed regardless of changes made to the test voltage. In
download the results stored in memory. Programmes such as Microsoft® this case the instrument will not perform a test. The high voltage warning
HyperTerminal may be used to record real time data. indicators flash, and the beeper sounds, to warn of the hazard until the
external voltage becomes less than 50 V.
Battery bar graph
This is a battery symbol on the LCD display comprising 4 pairs of When testing, the voltage displayed is the voltage present at the test
segments. The battery is monitored continuously when the instrument terminals of the instrument. If the test voltage is changed, by pressing
is turned on. The charge remaining in the battery is shown in the table either of the test voltage s and t buttons during a test, the new test
below. voltage is displayed momentarily.
Fully charged battery After testing, the voltage displayed is the voltage present on the terminals.
To see what the voltage was immediately prior to the end on the test,
press either test voltage s or t buttons.
50% charged battery
Timer indicator
Tests cannot be started, and the battery The timer shows minutes and seconds. At the start of a test the timer will
may fail at any time start from zero and at the end of a test it will stop. The duration of the last
test remains on the display until another test is started.
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TEST MODE SUMMARY
On screen warning codes The effects of noise can be reduces significantly with the use of high
quality Megger screened test leads.
Breakdown detection
The picture displayed on the right
If insulation breakdown is detected, shows the expected screen result
the unit aborts the test and flashes of an IR test on with a 5000V test
“brd” and the final test result voltage after 2 minutes 9 seconds.
alternately in the main digital display. The black and grey waveforms
This display is disabled when in burn are displayed alternately while the
mode as the unit will continue the noise is present. When the noise is
test without aborting. The instrument removed the wave form is replaced
detects breakdown in terms of a rapid by the correct reading.
drop in test voltage commensurate
with that caused by an arc across or though the insulation under test.
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TEST MODE SUMMARY
Press the ‘MODE’ button to cycle through and select the test mode. ‘10m’.
Modes of test to be chosen from include an insulation resistance ‘IR’ Pressing the ‘Ω/I’ button toggles the display to show the insulation
test, a polarization index ‘PI’ test, a step voltage ‘SV’ test, and a dielectric resistances, insulation currents, DAR and PI ratios, and capacitance. The
discharge ‘DD’ test. If timers T1 and T2 are set, the instrument will resistances and currents will be displayed under the ‘T1’, ‘T2’, ‘1m’ and
automatically calculate the dielectric absorption ratio ‘DAR’ of the ‘10m’ segment headings, the ratios under the ‘DAR’ and ‘PI’ segment
insulation. PI, DAR, and IR values are automatically stored and displayed headings. The capacitance reading is indicated by its units of either ‘nF’ or
if the data is available, irrespective of the selected test mode. At the end ‘µF’. Refer to section ‘Ω/I button’.
of a test the instrument can be made to display either the insulation
resistances, insulation currents or ratios plus capacitance measurements by Breakdown mode / burn mode
using the ‘Ω/I’ toggle button. See section ‘Ω/I button’ for cycling through The insulation resistance ‘IR’ test operates in either the ‘Burn’ or
results and toggling units. ‘Breakdown’ mode of operation. The default mode is breakdown. To
change mode press and hold the function button, then press and release
the mode button repeatedly until the desired mode is indicated by the
Insulation Resistance ‘IR’ test
flashing symbol on the display. Release the function button to select it.
This is the default mode in which the instrument powers up. This test
mode measures insulation resistance continuously at the selected voltage.
In the breakdown mode the ‘Breakdown Indicator’ will be illuminated –
The test voltage may be varied during an ‘IR’ test by pressing the test
refer to page 6. In this mode the test will automatically terminate should
voltage s or t buttons. The test duration can be set using the ‘main
the insulation break down to prevent damage to the insulation under test.
timer’. The test will finish automatically after this time has elapsed. On test
completion, insulation capacitance and the time constant associated with it
In the burn mode the ‘Burn Indicator’ is illuminated – refer page 6. The
is calculated and displayed.
burn mode disables the normal breakdown detection and enables the
Time Constant (TC) = Rins x Cins insulation test voltage to continue even after breakdown of the insulation.
This will enable the location of the failure to be seen and heard. Due to
If timers T1 and T2 are set, the instrument will calculate and display the the potential damage that could occur, the unit produces two long beeps
DAR value under the segment ‘DAR’. On completion of the test, the when starting a test with burn mode activated.
instrument will display the insulation resistance measured at these times
under the segment symbols ‘T1’ and ‘T2’. If the test runs for longer Alarm limit mode
than 10 minutes, the instrument will calculate the ‘polarisation index’. The insulation resistance ‘IR’ test has an option of setting an alarm limit.
This value will be displayed under the display segment symbol ‘PI’. On If this mode is selected, the instrument will beep should the resistance
completion of the test, the instrument will display the insulation resistance reading exceed a user selectable threshold. To set the limit, hold down the
recorded at 1 minute and 10 minutes under the segment symbols ‘1m’ and function button, then press and release the mode button repeatedly until
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the ‘A ’ symbol is flashing on the display. Use the timer s and t buttons minute period. Readings for contaminated insulation are fairly constant
to set the resistance threshold between the limits of 10 kΩ and 35 TΩ. because any absorption effects are masked by high leakage currents.
Release the function button to save the current limit. Adjusting the alarm On completion of the test the polarisation index is displayed under the
threshold level automatically activates the alarm limit mode. This is segment heading ‘PI’.
indicated by the ‘A ’ symbol turning solidly on.
Polarisation Index (PI) = R10 min
To toggle the alarm limit mode on/off, hold down the function button, R1 min
then press and release the mode button repeatedly until the ‘A ’ symbol is
flashing on the display. Release the function key to toggle. The ‘Dielectric Absorption Ratio’ is the term applied to the polarisation
index using other time intervals set by T1 and T2.
Step voltage ‘SV’ test
This is a test based on the principle that an ideal insulator will produce If timers T1 and T2 are both set, then the insulation resistance measured
identical readings at all voltages, while an insulator which is being over at these times is also recorded. These are displayed together with the
stressed, will show lower insulation values at higher voltages. The main calculated dielectric absorption ratio under the T1, T2, and DAR segments
timer and test voltage settings can be adjusted if desired from their default respectively.
values of 5 minutes and 1 kV respectively. During the test the applied test
voltage incrementally steps by one fifth of the test voltage setting final The instrument can be made to display either the insulation resistances,
value every minute, for 5 minutes, taking successive measurements until insulation currents or ratios plus capacitance measurements by using the
the final voltage is reached. Readings for the first 4 recorded values are Ω/I toggle button. See section ‘Ω/I button’ for cycling through results and
displayed under the consecutive segment headings ‘1m’ to ‘4m’. The 5 toggling units.
minute reading is displayed by the main display.
Dielectric Absorption Ratio (DAR) = RT2 min
If the range of measured insulation between readings is too wide for the
RT1 min
instrument to display, then those readings too small compared to the final
reading will be represented by ‘---’.
Dielectric discharge ‘DD’ test
Polarisation index ‘PI’ test, and dielectric absorption ratio The ‘DD’ test is a diagnostic insulation test that allows ageing,
‘DAR’ test deterioration, and voids in the insulation to be assessed. The result is
The ‘PI’ test is a particular example of a time/resistance method, which dependent on the discharge characteristic, so the internal condition of the
takes the ratio of the insulation measured at 1 minute and at 10 minutes. insulation is tested, largely independent of any surface contamination. On
Good insulation generally shows an increase in resistance over a 10 discharge the capacitive component of the discharge current decays from
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a high value with a relatively short time constant of a few seconds. The Measurements above 100 GΩ
other current component, comprising the released absorption current, Measurements up to 100 GΩ can be made without any special precautions,
decays from a lower value with a relatively long time constant of up to assuming that the test leads are reasonably clean and dry. The guard lead
several minutes. If this component of the discharge current is large (>7 @ can be used to remove the effects of surface leakage if necessary. When
500 V test voltage) then the insulation condition is poor. measuring resistances above 100 GΩ, the test leads should not be allowed
to touch each other, or any other object since this will introduce leakage
The main timer will default to 30 minutes, which is normally sufficient time paths. Sharp points at the test lead connections should also be avoided
for full absorption to take place in an insulation material. The default test since this will encourage corona discharge.
voltage is set to 500 V. The ‘DD’ test requires the instrument to measure
The output is isolated, and so will float relative to ground such that
the discharge current 1 minute after the removal of the test voltage. At
the positive terminal is at plus half of the test voltage, and the negative
this time the capacitive current should be insignificant compared with the
terminal is at minus half of the test voltage with respect to ground.
released absorption current. On completion of the test, the instrument
Leakages therefore occur between the positive terminal and ground,
uses this measurement along with the test voltage and calculated
between the negative terminal and ground, and directly between the
capacitance to produce a figure of merit indicating the quality of the
positive and negative terminals. These leakages have a significant effect
insulation.
and can occur through the air itself.
If the guard lead is connected to ground, then since the negative terminal
is at the same voltage as the guard terminal, the leakage into the negative
terminal will be considerably reduced. This will improve accuracy
because the current flowing into the negative terminal is measured by
the instrument and used to calculate resistance. This technique is only
permissible if the item under test is isolated from ground. “Isolated” in this
context means insulated by a resistance of at least 5 MΩ for the positive
terminal, or at least 10 kΩ for the negative terminal.
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Conversely, if the positive terminal is grounded, then the negative terminal Circuit block diagram
will be at a voltage equal to the test voltage relative to ground, which will
R1 R2
result in an increase in leakage current, and worsening of measurement +
accuracy.
100 MΩ
+ Test V 0V - High C1
+ voltage Volts
source Discharge
+ - Ref resistance
Guard
Current
Ground Limit G
Voltage
control Fuse
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SPECIFICATIONS
21
REPAIR AND WARRANTY
The instrument contains static sensitive devices, and care must be taken in handling the printed circuit board. If an instrument’s protection has been
impaired it should not be used, but sent for repair by suitably trained and qualified personnel. The protection is likely to be impaired if for example, it shows
visible damage, fails to perform the intended measurements, has been subjected to prolonged storage under unfavourable conditions, or has been subjected
to severe transport stresses.
NEW INSTRUMENTS ARE GUARANTEED FOR 1 YEAR FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE BY THE USER.
Note: Any unauthorized prior repair or adjustment will automatically invalidate the Warranty.