FLUKE 1555——1550 USER MANUAL

1550C/1555

Insulation Tester

Users Manual

April 2010 Rev. 1, 3/18

©2010-2018 Fluke Corporation. All rights reserved.
All product names are trademarks of their respective companies.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.

LIMITED WARRANTY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Each Fluke product is warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service. The warranty period is three years and begins
on the date of shipment. Parts, product repairs, and services are warranted for 90 days. This warranty extends only to the original buyer or end-user customer of a
Fluke authorized reseller, and does not apply to fuses, disposable batteries, or to any product which, in Fluke's opinion, has been misused, altered, neglected,
contaminated, or damaged by accident or abnormal conditions of operation or handling. Fluke warrants that software will operate substantially in accordance with its
functional specifications for 90 days and that it has been properly recorded on non-defective media. Fluke does not warrant that software will be error free or operate
without interruption.

Fluke authorized resellers shall extend this warranty on new and unused products to end-user customers only but have no authority to extend a greater or different
warranty on behalf of Fluke. Warranty support is available only if product is purchased through a Fluke authorized sales outlet or Buyer has paid the applicable
international price. Fluke reserves the right to invoice Buyer for importation costs of repair/replacement parts when product purchased in one country is submitted for
repair in another country.

Fluke's warranty obligation is limited, at Fluke's option, to refund of the purchase price, free of charge repair, or replacement of a defective product which is returned
to a Fluke authorized service center within the warranty period.

To obtain warranty service, contact your nearest Fluke authorized service center to obtain return authorization information, then send the product to that service
center, with a description of the difficulty, postage and insurance prepaid (FOB Destination). Fluke assumes no risk for damage in transit. Following warranty repair,
the product will be returned to Buyer, transportation prepaid (FOB Destination). If Fluke determines that failure was caused by neglect, misuse, contamination,
alteration, accident, or abnormal condition of operation or handling, including overvoltage failures caused by use outside the product’s specified rating, or normal
wear and tear of mechanical components, Fluke will provide an estimate of repair costs and obtain authorization before commencing the work. Following repair, the
product will be returned to the Buyer transportation prepaid and the Buyer will be billed for the repair and return transportation charges (FOB Shipping Point).

THIS WARRANTY IS BUYER'S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY AND IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT
NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. FLUKE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR
ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES, INCLUDING LOSS OF DATA, ARISING FROM ANY CAUSE OR
THEORY.

Since some countries or states do not allow limitation of the term of an implied warranty, or exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, the
limitations and exclusions of this warranty may not apply to every buyer. If any provision of this Warranty is held invalid or unenforceable by a court or other decision­maker of competent jurisdiction, such holding will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.

Fluke Corporation
P.O. Box 9090
Everett, WA 98206-9090
U.S.A.

11/99

Fluke Europe B.V.
P.O. Box 1186
5602 BD Eindhoven
The Netherlands

ООО «Флюк СИАЙЭС»
125167, г. Москва, Ленинградский

проспект дом 37,
корпус 9, подъезд 4, 1 этаж

Table of Contents

Title Page

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

How to Contact Fluke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Before You Start. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

The Tester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Pushbuttons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Power On/Off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Charge the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Guard Terminal Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Connect to the Circuit Under Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Before an Insulation Test. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Preset Test Voltage Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Program a Test Voltage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Select a Ramp or Steady-State Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Set a Timed Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Polarization Index (PI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Dielectric Absorption Ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Capacitance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

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1550C/1555

Users Manual

Insulation Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Store Test Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

View Test Results Stored in Memory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Download Test Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Delete Test Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Cleaning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Replaceable Parts and Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

General Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Environmental Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Electrical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Principles of Measurement and Resistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

ii

Introduction

How to Contact Fluke

The Fluke 1550C and 1555 Insulation Testers (the Tester or Product)
are high-voltage insulation testers to validate general circuits, such as
switchgear, motors, and cables.

The Tester features:

•

Large liquid crystal display (LCD)

•

Preset test voltages: 250 V, 500 V, 1000 V, 2500 V, 5000 V,
(10 000 V 1555 only)

•

Programmable test voltages: 250 V to 10 000 V (50/100 V steps)

•

Resistance measurement: 200 kΩ to 2 TΩ

•

Polarization Index (PI)

•

Dielectric Absorption Ratio (DAR or DAR [CN])

•

Ramp mode that linearly increases (100 V/s) the applied test
voltage

•

Test timer and storage for test results with user-defined ID tag

•

Breakdown voltage indication

•

Rechargeable lead-acid battery

•

Auto shutoff after 30 minutes of inactivity

•

Infrared (IR) port for downloading test data

•

PC software (supplied)

To contact Fluke, use one of these telephone numbers:

•

USA: 1-800-760-4523

•

Canada: 1-800-36-FLUKE (1-800-363-5853)

•

Europe: [phone]

•

Japan: [phone]

•

Singapore: [phone]

•

China: [phone]

•

Brazil: [phone]

•

Anywhere in the world: [phone]
Or, visit Fluke's website at www.fluke.com.
To register your Product, visit http://register.fluke.com

To view, print, or download the latest manual supplement, visit

http://us.fluke.com/usen/support/manuals.

.

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1550C/1555

Users Manual

Safety Information

A Warning identifies hazardous conditions and procedures that are
dangerous to the user. A Caution identifies conditions and procedures
that can cause damage to the Product or the equipment under test.

XW Warning

To prevent possible electrical shock, fire, or personal
injury:

•

Carefully read all instructions.

•

Read all safety information before you use the Product.

•

Do not alter the Product and use only as specified, or
the protection supplied by the Product can be
compromised.

•

Do not use the Product around explosive gas, vapor, or
in damp or wet environments.

•

Do not use the Product if it is altered or damaged.

•

Do not use the Product if it operates incorrectly.

•

Use Product-approved measurement category (CAT),
voltage, and amperage rated accessories (probes, test
leads, and adapters) for all measurements.

•

Do not exceed the Measurement Category (CAT) rating
of the lowest rated individual component of a Product,
probe, or accessory.

•

Do not use in CAT III or CAT IV environments without
the protective cap installed on test probe. The
protective cap decreases the exposed probe metal to
<4 mm. This decreases the possibility of arc flash from
short circuits.

•

Comply with local and national safety codes. Use
personal protective equipment (approved rubber
gloves, face protection, and flame-resistant clothes) to
prevent shock and arc blast injury where hazardous
live conductors are exposed.

•

Examine the case before you use the Product. Look for
cracks or missing plastic. Carefully look at the
insulation around the terminals.

•

Do not use test leads if they are damaged. Examine the
test leads for damaged insulation and measure a
known voltage.

•

Do not touch voltages >30 V ac rms, 42 V ac peak, or
60 V dc.

•

Do not apply more than the rated voltage between the
terminals or between each terminal and earth ground.

•

Measure a known voltage first to make sure that the
Product operates correctly.

•

Limit operation to the specified measurement category,
voltage, or amperage ratings.

2

•

Remove all probes, test leads, and accessories that are
not necessary for the measurement.

•

Keep fingers behind the finger guards on the probes.

•

Use the correct terminals, function, and range for
measurements.

•

Place test leads in proper input terminals.

•

Do not work alone.

•

Do not use in distribution systems with voltages higher
than 1100 V.

•

Use only recommended test leads.

•

Remove all power from the circuit under test and
discharge circuit capacitance before testing resistance
or capacitor with the tester.

•

Results of measurement can be adversely affected by
the impedances of additional operating circuits
connected in parallel or by transient currents.

•

Before and after testing, confirm that the Product does
not indicate the presence of a hazardous voltage. If a
hazardous voltage is shown on the display, remove
power from the circuit under test or allow the
installation capacitance to fully discharge.

Insulation Tester

Safety Information

•

Do not disconnect the test leads before a test has been
completed and the test voltage at the terminals has
returned to zero. This ensures that any charged
capacitance is fully discharged.

•

Use the guard terminal only as specified in this manual.
Do not allow other foreign objects to contact the guard
terminals as safety can be compromised.

•

Remove the input signals before you clean the
Product.

•

Use only specified replacement parts.

•

Repair the Product before use if the battery leaks.

•

Do not operate the Product with covers removed or the
case open. Hazardous voltage exposure is possible.

•

Have an approved technician repair the Product.

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1550C/1555

Users Manual

Table 1 is a list of symbols used on the Product or in this manual.

Table 1. Symbols

Symbol Description Symbol Description



W

X







b









~

Consult user documentation.

WARNING. RISK OF DANGER.

WARNING. HAZARDOUS VOLTAGE. Risk of
electric shock.

Earth

AC (Alternating Current)

Battery

Electrical breakdown

WARNING. Do not apply greater than 1100 Volts.

Measurement Category II is applicable to test and measuring circuits connected directly to utilization points (socket outlets and
similar points) of the low-voltage MAINS installation.

Measurement Category III is applicable to test and measuring circuits connected to the distribution part of the building’s low-voltage
MAINS installation.

Measurement Category IV is applicable to test and measuring circuits connected at the source of the building’s low-voltage MAINS
installation.

This product complies with the WEEE Directive marking requirements. The affixed label indicates that you must not discard this
electrical/electronic product in domestic household waste. Product Category: With reference to the equipment types in the WEEE
Directive Annex I, this product is classed as category 9 "Monitoring and Control Instrumentation" product. Do not dispose of this
product as unsorted municipal waste.





)

P



T

M

s

Conforms to relevant South Korean EMC standards.

Conforms to relevant Australian EMC standards.

Certified by CSA Group to North American safety standards.

Conforms to European Union directives.

Certified by TÜV SÜD Product Service.

Double Insulated

Interference is present. Displayed value might be outside of
specified accuracy.

Ramp mode indicator

4