AMPI-520 Multifunction Electrical Installation Meter
Loop, RCD, insulation and earth testing in a single instrument
The AMPI-520 is a multifunction meter for electrical installations designed for periodic diagnostic testing under the IEC 61557 standard. In a single instrument it measures short-circuit loop impedance, the tripping time and current of differential protections, insulation and earth resistance, continuity of the protective conductors and phase sequence, together with voltage, current, frequency and power.
Advantages
Loop measurement without tripping the RCD
It automatically calculates the short-circuit loop impedance with a resolution of 0.01 Ω without the need to trip RCDs of 30 mA or above, and detects the phase-to-neutral and phase-to-phase voltage during the measurement itself.
Full RCD testing
It checks general and selective protections of type AC, A and B, for rated differential currents of 10, 30, 100, 300, 500 and 1000 mA, with a trip-time test (mode tA) and a tripping-current test (IA) using sine-wave, unidirectional half-period and DC test currents.
Insulation up to 3 GΩ
It applies 250 V, 500 V or 1000 V test voltage, with automatic discharge once the measurement ends and acoustic signals at 5 s intervals to plot the insulation characteristic curve.
One instrument for several measurements
Earth resistance and bidirectional continuity of the protective conductor are complemented by the phase sequence check and the measurement of voltage, frequency, active, reactive and apparent power and power factor.
Applications
- Periodic diagnostic testing of electrical installations under IEC 61557.
- Certification of installations for authorised electrical installers.
- Verification of general and selective RCDs before commissioning.
- Earth and insulation resistance measurement for preventive maintenance.
About the product
The instrument runs on LR14 alkaline batteries (5 units) or an optional Ni-MH battery pack, has a battery-charge indicator and an auto shut-off function, and stores the measurements in a memory divided into 10 banks of 99 records each. An optional adapter allows automatic measurement of all resistances on 3, 4 or 5-wire cables, and a UNI-Schuko connector makes automatic loop and insulation measurement easier; a further adapter extends the loop test to three-phase networks. The USB interface allows the records to be downloaded to a PC.
It is supplied with a UNI-Schuko probe, test leads and pointed probes, alligator clips, an earth contact probe, a carrying case and a calibration certificate; optional accessories include longer leads, three-phase plug adapters, a current clamp, a Ni-MH battery pack and the software for treating the records on a PC.
Technical specifications
| Loop Z L-PE, Z L-N, Z L-L | 0.13...1999.9 Ω, ±(5 % m.v. + 3 digits) |
| RCD testing | 10-1000 mA, types AC, A and B; tA and IA tests |
| Insulation | 250/500/1000 V; up to 3 GΩ |
| Earth RE | 0.5...1999 Ω, IEC 61557-5 |
| PE continuity | 0.00...400 Ω, ±200 mA |
| Category / protection | CAT IV 300 V; IP54 |
| Power supply | LR14 batteries (5 units) or optional Ni-MH pack |
| Standards | IEC 61557, -2, -5; EN 61010-1; EN 60529 |
Frequently asked questions
Can it measure the loop without tripping the RCD?
Yes. The measurement with 0.01 Ω resolution does not trip RCDs of 30 mA or above.
Which RCD types does it test?
General and selective RCDs of type AC, A and B, at the six rated currents from 10 to 1000 mA.
Up to what resistance does it measure insulation?
Up to 3 GΩ, applying a 250 V, 500 V or 1000 V test voltage.
How are the stored records treated?
They are downloaded to a PC over USB and organised with dedicated software for the documentation of the electrical measurements.
