User Manual
46 GMC-I Messtechnik GmbH
• After briefly pressing the ON/START key, specified test voltage 
UN is read out and insulation resistance RINS is measured. As 
soon as the measured value is stable (settling time may be 
several seconds in the case of high cable capacitance values), 
measurement is ended and the last measured values for RINS 
and UINS are displayed. U is the voltage which is measured at 
the test probes during and after testing. This voltage drops to a 
value of less than 10 V after measurement (see section enti-
tled “Discharging the Device Under Test”).
or
• As long as you press and hold the ON/START key, test voltage 
UN is applied and insulation resistance R
INS
 is measured. Do 
not release the key until the measured value has settled in 
(settling time may be several seconds in the case of high cable 
capacitance values). Voltage U, which is measured during 
testing, corresponds to voltage UINS. After releasing the ON/
START key, measurement is ended and the last measured 
values for R
INS
 and UINS are displayed. U drops to a value of 
less than 10 V after measurement (see section entitled “Dis-
charging the Device Under Test”).
❑ Pole Selection Report Entry
The poles between which testing takes place can only be entered 
here for reporting purposes. The entry itself has no influence on 
the actual polarity of the test probes or pole selection.
❑ Limits – Setting the Limit Value
The limit value for insulation resistance can be set as desired. If 
measurement values occur which are below this limit value, the 
red U
L
/R
L 
LED lights up. A selection of limit values ranging from 
0.5 to 10 MΩ is available. The limit value is displayed above the 
measured value. 
Start Measurement – Rising Test Voltage (ramp function)
Press briefly:
Quick polarity reversal if parameter is set to AUTO: 01/10 ... 10/10: 
L1-PE ... L1-L3
Note
If “semiautomatic polarity reversal” is selected (see sec-
tion 5.8), the corresponding icon is displayed instead of 
the ramp.
General Notes Regarding Insulation Measurements with Ramp 
Function
Insulation measurement with ramp function serves the following 
purposes:
• Detect weak points in the test object’s insulation
• Determine tripping voltage of voltage limiting components and 
test them for correct functioning These components may 
include, for example, varistors, overvoltage limiters (e.g. 
DEHNguard® from Dehn+Söhne) and spark gaps.
The test instrument uses continuously rising test voltage for this 
measuring function, up to the maximum selected voltage limit. 
The measuring procedure is started by pressing the START/
STOPP key and runs automatically until one of the following 
events occurs:
• The selected voltage limit is reached
• The selected current limit is reached
• Sparkover occurs (spark gaps)
Differentiation is made amongst the following three procedures for 
insulation measurement with ramp function:
Testing of overvoltage limiters or varistors 
and determining their tripping voltage:
– Select maximum voltage such that the anticipated breakdown 
voltage of the device under test is roughly one third of this 
value (observe manufacturer’s data sheet if applicable).
– Select current limit value in accordance with actual require-
ments or the manufacturer’s data sheet (characteristic curve 
of the device under test).
Determining tripping voltage for spark gaps:
– Select maximum voltage such that the anticipated breakdown 
voltage of the device under test is roughly one third of this 
value (observe manufacturer’s data sheet if applicable).
– Select the current limit value in accordance with actual 
requirements within a range of 5 to 10 A (response charac-
teristics are too unstable with larger current limit values, which 
may result in faulty measurement results).
Detecting weak points in the insulation:
– Select maximum voltage such that it does not exceed the test 
object’s permissible insulation voltage; it can be assumed that 
an insulation fault will occur even with a significantly lower 
voltage if an accordingly lower maximum voltage value is 
selected (nevertheless at least greater than anticipated break-
down voltage) – the ramp is less steep as a result (increased 
measuring accuracy).
– Select the limit current value in accordance with actual 
requirements within a range of 5 to 10 A (see also settings 
for spark gaps).
Start Measurement – Constant Test Voltage
Long-term measurements
Press and hold:
Quick polarity reversal if parameter is set to AUTO: 01/10 ... 10/10: 
L1-PE ... L1-L3
Note
The instrument’s batteries are rapidly depleted during the 
insulation resistance measurement. When using the 
“constant test voltage” function, only press and hold the 
Start 
▼ key until the display has become stable (if long-
term measurement is required).










