Best Fluke 1555 Fc 10 Kv Insulation Tester

Best Fluke 1555 Fc 10 Kv Insulation Tester

ByKen

The fluke 1555 fc 10 kv insulation tester is a digital insulation tester for high voltage equipment, with DC test voltages up to 10 kilovolts, automatic PI and DAR calculation, and Fluke Connect wireless control. It suits switchgear, motors, generators and cable work where a standard 500 or 1000 volt meter is too small. This guide sets out the Fluke’s published specs and compares it with three insulation testers in our product list that cover lower test voltages. Most buyers will need only one of these, so match the test voltage to the equipment first. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases.

Quick answer

If you test equipment rated for high voltage and need a 10 kV DC test, the Fluke 1555 is the tool the manufacturer’s pages describe for that job. If your work stays at 1000 volts or below, one of the lower-voltage testers in our list will cost less and handle the typical checks. Check the voltage you need before you compare any other spec.

What the Fluke 1555 does

Fluke’s UK and Singapore product pages list DC test voltages of 250, 500, 1000, 2500, 5000 and 10000 volts. The pages describe selectable settings from 250 to 1000 volts in 50 volt steps, then in 100 volt steps above 1000 volts. The insulation resistance range runs up to 2 terohms. The UK page gives accuracy of 5 percent from 10 megohms to 200 gigohms at 10 kV, and 20 percent from 200 gigohms to 2 terohms. Below 10 megohms and above 2 terohms, the page says accuracy is unspecified.

The tester calculates dielectric absorption ratio and polarization index automatically, without extra setup. Both figures are standard ways to judge insulation condition over time. The live circuit warning activates between 30 and 660 volts AC or DC, which is a useful safety step before a test starts.

Fluke Connect lets you start and stop tests from a smartphone, watch a live trend graph, save results to the cloud and build reports with Fluke Connect Desktop. The pages list CAT IV 600 volt and CAT III 1000 volt ratings under IEC 61010-1 and IEC 61010-2-030.

How we chose these alternatives

We limited the comparison to insulation testers in our product file that name a megohm or insulation test function in their titles. We left out general multimeters and clamp meters because they do not produce the test voltages an insulation tester supplies. Specs for the three alternatives come from our titles, not from product pages, so they are shown as titles state them.

Fluke 1535 Insulation Tester

The 1535 title describes an insulation tester for industrial and electrical insulation testing with test voltages starting at 250 volts. That range makes it a practical step up from a basic megohm meter for motors and feeders, although the title does not state the top voltage. If your work is mostly at 500 to 1000 volts, this model may cover it at a lower price than the 1555. Confirm the top voltage on the product page before you buy.

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Fluke 1587 FC 2-in-1 Insulation Multimeter

The 1587 FC title describes a 2-in-1 insulation multimeter, which combines a standard digital multimeter with an insulation test function. That makes it a good fit for a technician who needs both a general meter and an insulation check in one case. It does not reach the 10 kV test level of the 1555, so it suits lower-voltage motors, panels and wiring rather than high voltage equipment. The title does not state its test voltages, so check them before you buy.

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Fluke 1507 Insulation Tester

The 1507 title gives a resistance range from 0.01 megohms to 10 gigohms. That range is a practical one for many motor and cable checks at lower voltages, and it carries the Fluke name. The title does not state the test voltage, so it is not a direct substitute for a 10 kV tester if your equipment needs that level.

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Klein ET600 Megohmmeter Insulation Tester Multimeter

The ET600 title describes a megohmmeter and multimeter with a 4000 ohm resistance range and test voltages of 125, 250, 500 and 1000 volts. Those test levels stop at 1000 volts, so this tool is a lower-voltage option. It is a good match for an electrician who wants a combined insulation and multimeter tool for building wiring and motors, but it does not replace the 1555 for high voltage equipment.

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Which tester fits which job

For 10 kV DC testing on large motors, generators, switchgear or cable, the Fluke 1555 is the only tool in this set whose published pages list that voltage. For a combined multimeter and insulation check at lower voltages, the Fluke 1587 FC or the Klein ET600 is the better pick. For a dedicated insulation tester with a Fluke name and a stated resistance range, the 1507 fits. The 1535 is a good middle option if the title’s lowest test voltage meets your needs.

If you are new to megger-type testing, our guide to best insulation resistance testers explains how these tools differ, and best megameter testers covers the higher-voltage category in more depth.

Safety before any high voltage test

A high voltage insulation test can leave a charge on the equipment after the test ends, and the charge can last well after the leads come off. Plan the test so the person at the leads has a clear exit route and a second person knows the test is running. The Fluke pages describe a live circuit warning and a CAT rating. Lock out and verify the equipment is dead before connecting leads, and discharge the equipment after the test using a method that your procedure specifies. Do not rely on a multimeter alone to show the stored energy is gone; use a discharge method and verification step that your written procedure specifies.

The Wikipedia article on megger-type instruments notes that the early Wee Megger generated up to 500 volts and that later models reached 2500 volts, and that the modern MJ15 model can generate up to 5 kV. That history shows how far the test voltage range has grown, and why the 1555’s 10 kV rating is a specialist level.

What we could not verify

  • Independent accuracy testing of the 1555 at each voltage. The figures come from Fluke’s UK and Singapore pages.
  • The top test voltage for the Fluke 1535, the Fluke 1587 FC and the Fluke 1507. Our titles do not state it.
  • The included accessories for the three alternatives. The titles do not list them.
  • Current prices. None are quoted here.

FAQ

What is the maximum test voltage on the Fluke 1555?

The Fluke pages list up to 10 kV DC, with specified steps at 250, 500, 1000, 2500, 5000 and 10000 volts.

Does the 1555 calculate PI and DAR?

Yes. The pages say it calculates polarization index and dielectric absorption ratio automatically.

Can the Klein ET600 do a 10 kV test?

No. Its title lists test voltages from 125 to 1000 volts.

Which tool is best for a multimeter and insulation check together?

The Fluke 1587 FC title describes a 2-in-1 insulation multimeter, and the Klein ET600 title also combines a multimeter with a megohmmeter.

Sources

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