Agilent Technologies U1461A User manual

Agilent Technologies
Standard accessories included in your purchase
The following accessories are shipped standard with the
U1461A and U1453A testers:
✔Hard carrying case
✔Alligator clips (red and black)
✔Test leads (red and black)
✔19 mm probes (red and black)
✔4 mm probes (red and black)
✔Remote switch probe and adapter
✔Four 1.5 V AA lithium batteries
✔IR to USB cable
✔U1117A IR to Bluetooth adapter
✔Printed copy of the U1117A Operating Instructions
✔Printed copy of the U1461A/U1453A Quick Start Guide
(this document)
Model U1461A also includes the following accessories:
✔Thermocouple adapter (J/K-Type)
✔Thermocouple bead (J-Type)
✔Thermocouple bead (K-Type)
If any item is missing or damaged, keep the shipping materials
and contact the nearest Agilent Sales Office.
NOTE
The descriptions and instructions in this guide apply to the
U1461A Insulation Multimeter and U1453A Insulation Tester.
Model U1461A appears in all illustrations. The word tester is
used to represent both models.
All related documents and software are available for download
at www.agilent.com/find/hhTechLib.
Quick Start Guide
Agilent U1461A Insulation
Multimeter/U1453A
Insulation Tester

U1461A Insulation Multimeter/U1453A Insulation Tester
Install or Change the Batteries
2 U1461A/U1453A Quick Start Guide
Install or Change the Batteries
The tester is powered by four 1.5 V AA lithium batteries
(included in the shipment).
Before installing or changing the batteries, pull from a corner
and stretch the orange rubber holster to remove it.
Turn On the Tester
Turn the rotary switch
from the position
to any other position
to begin making
measurements.
1 2
3 4

U1461A Insulation Multimeter/U1453A Insulation Tester
The Tester at a Glance
U1461A/U1453A Quick Start Guide 3
The Tester at a Glance
Vsense/Red LED indicator
Keypad
Rotary switch
Fuse access
Tilt stand
Display screen
Input terminals
Test lead/probe holders
IR communication port
(Vsense for model U1461A)
(Under the orange rubber holster)
Battery access
(Under the orange rubber holster)

U1461A Insulation Multimeter/U1453A Insulation Tester
Using the Rotary Switch
4 U1461A/U1453A Quick Start Guide
Using the Rotary Switch
NOTE
Press [T DAR PI]to select the alternate measurement func-
tion(s) or test methods for insulation resistance tests.
Legend Measurement function U1461A U1453A
50 V insulation resistance, T, DAR, PI ✔✔
100 V insulation resistance, T, DAR, PI ✔✔
250 V insulation resistance, T, DAR, PI ✔✔
500 V insulation resistance, T, DAR, PI ✔✔
1000 V insulation resistance, T, DAR, PI ✔✔
Earth-bond resistance, T✔✔
Resistance, Continuity, Diode, Capacitance ✔✔
AC V, AC V with LPF ✔-
AC V - ✔
Auto (V), DC V, AC V ✔✔
Auto (mV), DC mV, AC mV, Temperature ✔-
Auto (μA mA), DC μA mA, AC μA mA ✔-
WARNING
Remove the test leads from the measuring source or target
before changing the rotary switch position.
Refer to the U1461A/U1453A User’s Guide for a complete list
and description of all rotary switch labels.

U1461A Insulation Multimeter/U1453A Insulation Tester
Using the Keypad
U1461A/U1453A Quick Start Guide 5
Using the Keypad
Legend Key response when pressed for:
Less than 1 second More than 1 second
IR Test: Initiates an insulation test[1] as long as [Te st]is
held ( is shown) — the tester sources (outputs) a
high voltage and measures insulation resistance
EBR Test: Initiates an earth-bond resistance test[2] as long
as [Tes t]is held ( is shown)
Trig Hold: Freezes the present
reading in the display[3]
Auto Hold: Automatically
freezes the present read-
ing once the reading is
stable[3]
Lock: Locks the insulation test
or earth-bond resistance test[4]
View: Enters the Log
review menu
Hz: Displays the frequency
(when the rotary switch is in
the V, mV (U1461A), or
μA mA (U1461A) position)
Esc: Discards the changes
made in the Setup menu
Selects the alternate measure-
ment function(s)
Log: Starts the data Log
T: Configures the tester for a
timed test[4][5]
DAR: Configures the tester for
a dielectric absorption ratio
test[1][5]
PI: Configures the tester for a
polarization index test[1][5]
Limit: Enables Limit compari-
son Max Min: Enables Max
Min recording[6]
Trip: Configures the tester for
Leakage Current, Scan, or
Ramp Trip tests[4][5]
Range: Sets a manual range Auto: Enables autorang-
ing
Leak: Displays the leakage cur-
rent[4]

U1461A Insulation Multimeter/U1453A Insulation Tester
Using the Input Terminals
6 U1461A/U1453A Quick Start Guide
Using the Input Terminals
Null: Enables Null
Vsense (U1461A):
Enables the non-contact
voltage detector
:Increases or decreases the
OLED brightness — this option
must first be enabled in the
Setup
Setup: Enters the Setup
menu
[1] When the rotary switch is in one of the Ω Mega position.
[2] When the rotary switch is in the ΩEB position.
[3] When the rotary switch is NOT in one of the Ω Mega or the ΩEB position.
[4] When the rotary switch is in one of the Ω Mega or the ΩEB position.
[5] Press [Tes t] to start the test.
[6] Max Min is disabled when Trip is enabled.
WARNING
To avoid damaging this device, do not exceed the input limit.
Rotary position Input terminals Overload protection
1000 Vrms
1000 Vrms for
short circuit <0.3 A
440 mA/1000 V, 30 kA
fast-acting fuse
Legend Key response when pressed for:
Less than 1 second More than 1 second

U1461A Insulation Multimeter/U1453A Insulation Tester
Insulation Resistance (IR) Test
U1461A/U1453A Quick Start Guide 7
Insulation Resistance (IR) Test
Ensure that the device-under-test (DUT) is de-energized before
performing any resistance measurement.
The tester automatically detects if the circuit is energized. If
the external voltage is detected to be greater than 30 V, the
test is inhibited and the voltage hazard symbol ( ) is shown
on the display.
CAUTIONCAUTION
DO NOT perform insulation resistance test in distribution sys-
tems with voltages higher than 600 V.
3
1
2
Select a
test voltage
Remote
Switch
Probe

U1461A Insulation Multimeter/U1453A Insulation Tester
Insulation Resistance (IR) Test
8 U1461A/U1453A Quick Start Guide
Using the Remote Switch Probe
Locking the Test for IR/EBR Tests
4
Test will continue until
[Test ] is released.
Hold
NOTE
When an insulation test is in progress, the red LED indicator at
the top of the tester will blink every 2 seconds (if the Limit
function is not enabled).
=
2
1
Press [Test ] or [Lock]
again to unlock and
stop the test.
Press once

U1461A Insulation Multimeter/U1453A Insulation Tester
Insulation Resistance (IR) Test
U1461A/U1453A Quick Start Guide 9
Performing PI/DAR/T for IR Tests
Polarization Index (PI) = IR 10 minutes/IR 1 minute
Dielectric Absorption Ratio (DAR) = IR 60 seconds/IR 30 seconds
(default; can be changed to IR 60 seconds/IR 15 seconds in Setup)
Timed (T) for IR and EBR = IR 1 minute (default; can be changed
in Setup)
Viewing Leakage Current
2
1
NOTE
Error is shown on the display if the IR is greater than the maxi-
mum range or less than 0.001 MΩafter t1/t15/t30; if the test
is interrupted by the user; or if the tester’s battery is low.

U1461A Insulation Multimeter/U1453A Insulation Tester
Insulation Resistance (IR) Test
10 U1461A/U1453A Quick Start Guide
Performing Leakage Current/Scan/Ramp Trip Tests
Use the Leakage Current Trip Test, Scan Trip Test, and Ramp
Trip Test to test MOVs (Metal Oxide Varistors), gas discharge
tubes, voltage arresters, or sparking gaps.
The voltage source will be stopped when the current is greater
than the trip current you set in the Setup.
1
12
3
4
NOTE
For more information on the Leakage Current Trip Test, Scan
Trip Test, and Ramp Trip Test, refer to the respective sections in
the U1461A/U1453A User’s Guide.

U1461A Insulation Multimeter/U1453A Insulation Tester
Earth-Bond Resistance (EBR) Test
U1461A/U1453A Quick Start Guide 11
Earth-Bond Resistance (EBR) Test
CAUTIONCAUTION
The tester automatically detects if the circuit is energized. If
the external voltage is detected to be greater than 2 V, the test
is inhibited and is shown on the display. Discon-
nect the tester and remove power before proceeding.
4
>
Hold
OR
3
1
2
Remote
Switch
Probe

U1461A Insulation Multimeter/U1453A Insulation Tester
Voltage Measurement
12 U1461A/U1453A Quick Start Guide
Voltage Measurement
The Auto function is able to automatically
•identify the signal component (AC or DC) of an electrical
source to be indicated on the primary display, and
•select a suitable measurement range according to the
AC+DC reading
The symbol blinks during the identification
DC
AC
The AC+DC value is shown in the secondary display
AC
3
DC
1
2

U1461A Insulation Multimeter/U1453A Insulation Tester
Voltage Measurement
U1461A/U1453A Quick Start Guide 13
Measuring AC Voltage with a Low-Pass Filter (LPF)
1
3
AC
2
WARNING
• To avoid possible electric shock or personal injury, ensure
that you are aware of the voltage level without the LPF
enabled. There may be a possible presence of hazardous
voltage, and voltages measured with the LPF enabled may
be greater than indicated. For your safety, take note of the
symbol. Disable the LPF when you have finished
your measurement.
• When the LPF option is selected, the measurement func-
tion will switch to the manual range mode (defaults to 600
V) for variable speed drive (VSD) applications. It is rec-
ommended only to use 600 V and 1000 V in the manual
range for VSD testing.

U1461A Insulation Multimeter/U1453A Insulation Tester
Voltage Measurement
14 U1461A/U1453A Quick Start Guide
Enable the LPF in the Setup to filter out higher frequencies
with (AC/DC path) V, mV, μA, or mA measurements.
>>
1
2
>>>
> 1 sec.
> 1 sec.

U1461A Insulation Multimeter/U1453A Insulation Tester
Current Measurement
U1461A/U1453A Quick Start Guide 15
Current Measurement
Refer to “Voltage Measurement“ for more information on how
the Auto function works.
WARNING
Never attempt an in-circuit current measurement where the
open-circuit potential to earth is greater than 1000 V.
CAUTIONCAUTION
• Current can be measured up to 440 mA (maximum) continu-
ously. You can measure current more than 440 mA and up to
600 mA for 120 seconds maximum.
• Cool down the tester for twice the measuring time taken
before proceeding to another current measurement.
3
2
AC
LOAD
DC
LOAD
1

U1461A Insulation Multimeter/U1453A Insulation Tester
Current Measurement
16 U1461A/U1453A Quick Start Guide
Measuring Voltage Frequency
Measuring Current Frequency
Measuring Frequency/Pulse Width/Duty Cycle
For model U1461A only. This option must first be enabled in the
Setup.
Press and hold [ ] to enter the Setup. Browse to Menu 10 >
% & ms and change the option from +CYCLE-D to +CYCLE-E
or –CYCLE-E.

U1461A Insulation Multimeter/U1453A Insulation Tester
Resistance Measurement
U1461A/U1453A Quick Start Guide 17
Resistance Measurement
Removing Test Lead Resistance
3
1
2
2
1

U1461A Insulation Multimeter/U1453A Insulation Tester
Continuity Test
18 U1461A/U1453A Quick Start Guide
Continuity Test
CAUTIONCAUTION
To avoid possible damage to your tester or to the equipment
under test, disconnect the circuit power and discharge all
high-voltage capacitors before performing continuity tests.
3
ON
(closed)
OFF
(open)
1
2
4

U1461A Insulation Multimeter/U1453A Insulation Tester
Diode Test
U1461A/U1453A Quick Start Guide 19
Diode Test
3
2
1
4
NOTE
Press and hold [Range] to enable Auto-diode. The Auto-diode
feature will help you test both forward- and reverse-bias direc-
tions simultaneously. You do not need to change the measur-
ing direction to identify the diode’s condition.

U1461A Insulation Multimeter/U1453A Insulation Tester
Capacitance Measurement
20 U1461A/U1453A Quick Start Guide
Capacitance Measurement
Before proceeding with capacitance measurements, first use
the DC V function to confirm that the capacitor is fully
discharged.
3
+–
1
2
4
NOTE
Press [Lock ]to temporarily display the cable length of the
circuit under test in the secondary display.
Hz
Esc