15 kV insulation quality analyser with partial discharge indication
Testing power cables, transformers and generators with high rated voltages takes a 15 kV meter that, besides insulation resistance, checks dielectric strength with a controlled voltage ramp and indicates partial discharges during the test. The AMIC-15K1 applies any voltage from 50 V to 15 kV in 10 V steps, measures from 50 kΩ to 40 TΩ per IEC 61557-2 with ±(3% m.v. + 10 digits) up to 99.9 GΩ, ramps the voltage from 100 V/min to 12 kV/min while recording the breakdown voltage and counts 0 to 100 partial discharges per second with its PDI indicator.
AMIC-15K1 key data
- Test voltage and current: the AMIC-15K1 sets 50 V to 15 kV in 10 V steps, with a selectable short-circuit current of 1.2, 3, 5 or 7 mA; 10 mA is reserved for the burnout function.
- Range by voltage: up to 200 GΩ at 50 V, 2 TΩ at 500 V, 4 TΩ at 1 kV, 10 TΩ at 2.5 kV, 20 TΩ at 5 kV and 40 TΩ at 10 kV and at 15 kV.
- Accuracy: ±(3% m.v. + 10 digits) up to 99.9 GΩ, ±(3.5% m.v. + 10 digits) up to 999 GΩ, ±(7.5% m.v. + 10 digits) up to 9.99 TΩ and ±(12.5% m.v. + 10 digits) at the 40 TΩ end.
- Ramp test (RT): final voltage from 50 V to 15 kV, rate from 100 V/min to 12 kV/min (1.6 to 200 V/s), hold for the time t2 and a leakage-current limit of 1 to 7 mA that stops the test and shows the breakdown voltage.
- Diagnostics: PI, DAR and Ab1/Ab2 with t1, t2 and t3 times from 1 to 600 s, total time up to 99 min 59 s or unlimited, SV in five steps (3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 kV) and DD.
- Auxiliary measurements: leakage current from 1 pA (±(1.5% m.v. + 2 digits) from 1 nA), capacitance from 1 nF to 49.99 µF with ±(5% m.v. + 5 digits), AC/DC voltage up to 1500 V and digital filters of 10, 30, 60, 100 and 200 s.
- Environment: about 5 h of operation at 15 kV on 100 MΩ and at least 1000 RISO measurements per charge, IP40 open and IP67 closed, CAT IV 1000 V up to 2000 m (CAT IV 600 V up to 3000 m), 990-cell memory, USB and Bluetooth.
Advantages
15 kV for the largest objects
A highly efficient HV inverter delivers 15 kV and up to 10 mA, for a measuring range of 50 kΩ to 40 TΩ per IEC 61557-2; in line with the ANSI/NETA ATS-2009 tables, objects rated above 34.5 kV can be tested.
Partial discharges under control
The PDI indicator reveals partial discharges, and the ramp test (RT) raises the voltage smoothly — without electrical stress — recording the time and the voltage at which the insulation breakdown occurs.
Immune to interference
High resistance to electromagnetic interference allows uninterrupted work in power plants and near transmission lines up to 1200 kV AC and 500 kV DC, helped by digital filters averaging 10 to 200 s and immunity to interference voltages up to 1550 V.
Burnout fault location
An inverter of about 150 W intensifies the potential damage point, so faults can be located visually on exposed cables, by reflectometric methods or with a seismic-acoustic detector and geophone.
Remote testing and reporting
The AMIC Mobile application shows real-time graphs, starts and stops the measurement remotely and geolocates the test with the phone GPS, while the PC software compares historical and current data to track insulation degradation.
Applications
- Single- and multi-core power cables.
- Transformers, motors and generators.
- Capacitors, switchgear and substation equipment.
- Electric rail vehicles and other power objects.
- Measurements near lines up to 1200 kV AC and 500 kV DC.
About the product
The AMIC-15K1 runs on a 14.8 V Li-Ion battery or the 90-260 V mains and performs at least 1000 RISO measurements per charge; the set includes three 1.8 m 15 kV test leads with crocodile clips, battery charging and USB cables, the PC software, carrying case and harness, with longer 15 kV leads, calibration adapters and measuring probes as options.
Technical specifications
| Measuring range | 50 kΩ to 40.0 TΩ per IEC 61557-2 (UN = 15 kV) |
| Test voltage | Up to 15 kV; step (SV) and ramp (RT) modes |
| Test current | Up to 10 mA; approx. 150 W HV inverter |
| Basic accuracy | ±(3 % m.v. + 10 digits); ±(12.5 %) at 40 TΩ |
| Diagnostics | PDI, IR, DAR, PI, SV, RT, DD; breakdown voltage |
| Interference immunity | Up to 1550 V and 10 mA; filters of 10-200 s |
| Memory and interface | Automatic saving; USB and Bluetooth |
| Power supply | 14.8 V Li-Ion battery; mains 90-260 V, 50/60 Hz |
| Autonomy | At least 1000 RISO measurements per charge |
| Safety | CAT IV 1000 V (≤2000 m); IP67 (IP40 open) |
| Operating conditions | -20 to +50 °C; humidity 20-90 %; ≤3000 m |
| Dimensions and weight | 390 × 308 × 172 mm; approx. 6.3 kg |
| Ramp test (RT) | 100 V/min…12 kV/min; leakage-current limit from 1 to 7 mA |
| Leakage current | From 1 pA; ±(1.5% m.v. + 2 digits) from 1 nA |
| Voltage measurement | AC/DC 0…1500 V; ±(2% m.v. + 2 digits) from 300 to 1500 V |
Frequently asked questions
Does the AMIC-15K1 measure partial discharges per EN 60270?
No. The PDI indicator of the AMIC-15K1 shows 0 to 100 discharges per second and their charge, from 1000 to 9999 pC, as indicative values without applying the EN 60270 method, and does not store them in memory. It helps to see, while the voltage is varied, at which voltage discharges start and extinguish.
How fast does the voltage rise in the AMIC-15K1 ramp test?
Between 100 V/min and 12 kV/min (1.6 to 200 V/s) up to a programmable final voltage of 50 V to 15 kV, which is held for the time t2. If the leakage current reaches the set limit of 1 to 7 mA, the AMIC-15K1 stops the test and shows the breakdown voltage.
What makes it an insulation quality analyser?
Beyond insulation resistance, it indicates partial discharges (PDI), performs ramp tests with breakdown-voltage indication and calculates the DAR, PI, SV and DD indices.
Can it work near high-voltage lines?
Yes. It withstands interference voltages up to 1550 V and currents up to 10 mA, and works uninterrupted near transmission lines up to 1200 kV AC and 500 kV DC.
How does the ramp test work?
The RT function raises the test voltage smoothly, without stressing the object, and records the time and the voltage at which the insulation breaks down.
Can measurements be controlled remotely?
Yes. The AMIC Mobile application starts and stops the test remotely, shows real-time graphs and records the GPS position of the measurement. The position comes in degrees, as the phone's GPS provides it. To put it in UTM for the report, use the GPS to UTM coordinate converter.
How long does the battery last?
The 14.8 V Li-Ion battery performs at least 1000 insulation resistance measurements per EN 61557-2 on one charge, and the meter also runs from the 90-260 V mains.