Fluke 1503 Insulation Resistance Meter

Fluke 1503 Offers
Handle all the basic insulation testing needs with this insulation resistance tester.

Ideal for basic residential and commercial electrical insulation testing, this rugged, compact, and easy to use tool fits in the palm of your hand. You can depend on it to handle the most common tests and additional features, such as the remote probe, decreases the time needed to perform repetitive testing.

Features

A rugged, compact insulation resistance tester for residential and commercial electricians
Performs insulation tests from 0.01 to 2000 MΩ
Offers two insulation test voltages: 500 and 1000 V
Includes live circuit detection to prevent insulation test if voltage >30 V is detected
Measures resistance from 0.01 to 20.00 kΩ
Measures AC/DC voltage from 0.1 to 600 V
Includes auto-discharge of capacitive voltage for added user protection
Provides lo-ohms earth-bond continuity (200 mA)
Simplifies repetitive or hard-to-reach testing with the remote test probe
Saves battery power with auto power off
Presents results on a large, backlit display
Features CAT IV 600 V overvoltage category rating
Runs on 4 x AA alkaline batteries (NEDA 15 A or IEC LR6) for at least 1000 insulation tests
Save battery power with auto power off

Applications

Troubleshooting
Commissioning
Preventative maintenance

6 Tips for effective insulation testing

1

Disconnect any electronic devices like motor drives, PLC’s, transmitters, etc. before performing insulation testing. Electronics can be damaged by applying higher than normal voltage.

2

The effect of temperature should be considered - it is recommended that tests be performed at a standard conductor temperature of 20 °C (68 °F) or that a temperature baseline is established while compensating future readings by using a DMM with a probe or an infrared thermometer.

3

Select a test voltage appropriate for the insulation being tested. The objective is to stress the insulation but not to over-stress it. When in doubt, use a lower test voltage. It’s usually appropriate to test insulation at twice the voltage it normally sees: for example 460 V to 600 V rated equipment is often tested at 1000 V.

4

When using an insulation tester, leave the leads connected when you stop the test. The insulation tester can discharge any residual test voltage.

5

Conductors that are close to each other have a normal capacitance. This will cause an insulation resistance reading to start low and increase steadily until it stabilizes. This type of increase is normal, but if the reading jumps violently down and up again this indicates arcing.

6

Although the current is tightly limited, an insulation tester can generate sparks and minor but painful burns. The unexpected surprise can cause an operator to jerk away. As always, work away from live systems and use safe work practices when working overhead.

Insulation Resistance Testing SolutionsFluke 1503 Offers
Handle all the basic insulation testing needs with this insulation resistance tester.

Ideal for basic residential and commercial electrical insulation testing, this rugged, compact, and easy to use tool fits in the palm of your hand. You can depend on it to handle the most common tests and additional features, such as the remote probe, decreases the time needed to perform repetitive testing.

Features

A rugged, compact insulation resistance tester for residential and commercial electricians
Performs insulation tests from 0.01 to 2000 MΩ
Offers two insulation test voltages: 500 and 1000 V
Includes live circuit detection to prevent insulation test if voltage >30 V is detected
Measures resistance from 0.01 to 20.00 kΩ
Measures AC/DC voltage from 0.1 to 600 V
Includes auto-discharge of capacitive voltage for added user protection
Provides lo-ohms earth-bond continuity (200 mA)
Simplifies repetitive or hard-to-reach testing with the remote test probe
Saves battery power with auto power off
Presents results on a large, backlit display
Features CAT IV 600 V overvoltage category rating
Runs on 4 x AA alkaline batteries (NEDA 15 A or IEC LR6) for at least 1000 insulation tests
Save battery power with auto power off

Applications

Troubleshooting
Commissioning
Preventative maintenance

6 Tips for effective insulation testing

1

Disconnect any electronic devices like motor drives, PLC’s, transmitters, etc. before performing insulation testing. Electronics can be damaged by applying higher than normal voltage.

2

The effect of temperature should be considered - it is recommended that tests be performed at a standard conductor temperature of 20 °C (68 °F) or that a temperature baseline is established while compensating future readings by using a DMM with a probe or an infrared thermometer.

3

Select a test voltage appropriate for the insulation being tested. The objective is to stress the insulation but not to over-stress it. When in doubt, use a lower test voltage. It’s usually appropriate to test insulation at twice the voltage it normally sees: for example 460 V to 600 V rated equipment is often tested at 1000 V.

4

When using an insulation tester, leave the leads connected when you stop the test. The insulation tester can discharge any residual test voltage.

5

Conductors that are close to each other have a normal capacitance. This will cause an insulation resistance reading to start low and increase steadily until it stabilizes. This type of increase is normal, but if the reading jumps violently down and up again this indicates arcing.

6

Although the current is tightly limited, an insulation tester can generate sparks and minor but painful burns. The unexpected surprise can cause an operator to jerk away. As always, work away from live systems and use safe work practices when working overhead.

Insulation Resistance Testing Solutions

Fluke 1503 Specifications

AC/DC Voltage Measurement

Accuracy
Range: 600 V

Resolution: 0.1 V

50 to 400 Hz ± (%of Rdg + Digits): ±(2% + 3)

Input Impedance
3 MΩ (nominal), <100 pF Common Mode Rejection Ratio (1 kΩ unbalanced) >60 dB at DC, 50 or 60 Hz

Overload Protection
600 V RMS or DC

Earth Bond Resistance Measurement

Range/Resolution
20 Ω:0.01 Ω

200 Ω:0.1 Ω

2000 Ω:1 Ω

20k Ω:0.01 kΩ

Accuracy
±(1.5% + 3)

Overload Protection
2 V rms or DC

Open Circuit Test Voltage
>4 V, <8 V Short Circuit Current >200 mA

Insulation Specifications

Measurement Range
0.01 to 2000 MΩ

Test Voltage
500 V, 1000 V

Test Voltage Accuracy
+20%, -0%

Short Circuit Current
1 mA nominal

Auto Discharge
Discharge time <0.5 second for C = 1 µF or less Live Circuit Indicator Inhibit test if terminal voltage >30 V prior to initialization of test

Maximum Capacitive Load
Operable with up to 1 µF load

Measure Accuracy
500 V: ±(1.5% + 5)

1000 V: ±(1.5% + 5) to 2000 MΩ, ±(10% + 3) above 2000 MΩ

Click here for complete specifications on the Fluke 1503

What's included with the Fluke 1503
Insulation Resistance Tester
Remote Probe
Test Leads
Test Probes
Alligator Clips
User Documentation
One Year Warranty

Two in one tools
Stand-alone tools

Insulation test features

1587 FC
1577
1503
1507
1550C
1555

Test voltages

50 V, 100 V, 250 V, 500 V, 1000 V
500 V, 1000 V
500 V, 1000 V
50 V, 100 V, 250 V, 500 V, 1000 V
250 V to 5000 V
250 V to 10,000 V

Insulation resistance range
0.01 MΩ to 2 GΩ
0.01 MΩ to 600 GΩ
0.01 MΩ to 2000 GΩ
0.01 MΩ to 10 GΩ
250 kΩ to 1 TΩ
250 kΩ to 2 TΩ

PI/DAR

Auto discharge

Timed ramp test (Breakdown)

Pass/fail comparison

Est. # of IRT tests

1000
1000
2000
2000
Various
Various

Voltage > 30 V warning

Memory

With Fluke Connect App

Remote test probe

Lo ohms/earth-bond continuity

200 mA source (10 mΩ resolution)
200 mA source (10 mΩ resolution)

Display

Digital LCD
Digital LCD
Digital LCD
Digital LCD
Digital LCD/ analog display
Digital LCD/ analog display

Hold/lock

Multimeter features

AC/DC volts

Note: Not all product features and specifications are listed in this table. For more complete information, see individual product data sheets.
Footnotes:

1. Function useful for checking connections and motor windings. Also useful for users who are required to perform earth-bond continuity measurements during installation testing.
2. Filter for variable-speed motor drive measurements.

Current

Resistance

Continuity beeper

Temperature (contact)

Lo-pass filter2

Capacitance

Diode test

Frequency

MIN/MAX

Other features

Backlight

Software

Fluke Connect compatible

FlukeView® Forms Basic
Fluke View® Forms Basic

Battery

4 AA (NEDA 15A or IEC LR6)
4 AA (NEDA 15A or IEC LR6)
4 AA (NEDA 15A or IEC LR6)
4 AA (NEDA 15A or IEC LR6)
Rechargeable
Rechargeable

Find out more about insulation testing

Webinar: Facilities Maintenance with Fluke

Proactive maintenance and energy savings strategies are essential for cost savings in facilities.

We’ve teamed up with Fluke to provide you with a thorough discussion on proactive maintenance strategies – approaches, tools, and the proper “health” measurements on critical assets. As managing energy costs are also critical, we will also explore how implementing an onsite compressed air and gas leak detection program, facilities can save tens of thousands of dollars annually and production equipment downtime. The latest test equipment advances have made it possible for users to perform leak inspections with little to no training in a fraction of the time versus conventional tools.

During this short webinar on Facilities Maintenance, we covered:Monitoring critical assets with fewer resources Bridging the skills gapWhy are we replacing the same bearings and seals over and over?What are the best tools to use? How do we justify the cost of the tools and resources?How do we start a Proactive Maintenance program?