Tinker & Rasor Ce-it User Manual

Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]

P. O. BOX 1667 SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92402

Web: www.tinker-rasor.com E-mail: [e-mail]

- 1 -

Sponsoring members of NACE International, NACE Foundation

QMF-570 107-077

PRODUCT INSTRUCTIONS

CE-IT Insulator Tester

IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not use this instrument in an explosive environment.

Contents of the shipping package:

Model CE/IT Instrument Kit Includes:

• Instrument, in case

• (1) 9v Battery (installed)

• Probe, Red with lead wires and clamps)

• Instruction manual

• Warranty Card & Quality Statement

Inspection of the instrument should be performed upon receipt. If damage has occurred in shipment, file a
claim with the carrier immediately. If it is necessary to contact your supplier or Tinker & Rasor, be sure to
include all information such as serial number, purchase order number and invoice number.

The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a
commitment on the part of Tinker & Rasor.

Any and all reproduction or transmission of any part of this manual, in any form or by any means and for any
purpose other than the personal use by the purchaser is strictly forbidden without the express written authorization of
Tinker & Rasor.

For updates, please visit our website:
http://tinker-rasor.com

© 2018 Tinker and Rasor, Inc.
All rights reserved.

Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]

P. O. BOX 1667 SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92402

Web: www.tinker-rasor.com E-mail: [e-mail]

- 2 -

Sponsoring members of NACE International, NACE Foundation

QMF-570 107-077

PRODUCT INSTRUCTIONS

IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not use this instrument in an explosive environment.

1. INFORMATION BULLETIN

The Model CE-IT Insulator Tester is fully automatic and highly sensitive electronic instrument designed to test the
effectiveness of buried pipeline insulators. The CE-IT can also be used to determine isolation condition of
pipelines in road crossing casings.

The Model CE-IT circuit automatically adjusts to the voltage polarity present on the underground piping system
under test. A read out of the test results are displayed in English on the LCD meter:

GOOD: This is displayed when the Model CE-IT determines that the electrical load placed on the
pipe on either side of the isolator is not leaking from one side to the other, so it is able to build a
capacitive load, and therefore determines that the isolator is effective.

BAD INPUT SHORT: This is displayed when the Model CE-IT determines that the electrical load
placed on the pipe on either side of the isolator is leaking from one side to the other, so it is not
able to build a capacitive load, and therefore determines that the isolator is not effective.

BAD INPUT OPEN: This is displayed if the Model CE-IT is not able to electrically load one or
both sides of the isolator. This result indicated a broken lead wire to one or both sides of the
isolator on the pipe system under test.

The entire testing procedure is complete in less than 30 second and audible signal alerts the operator when test
cycle is completed. Although the Model CE-IT is equipped with power start switch, the instrument will
automatically shut off in 10 minutes if not in use, to conserve batteries.

The Model CE-IT is factory calibrated, ready to use and requires no field adjustments.

Functional Features:

• Senses external polarity

• Matches external polarity

• Sense external voltage

• Matches internal voltage reference with external voltage

• Sends charging voltage

• Senses flowing current throughout the testing cycle

• Gives result of test considering the above tested parameters

• Expected battery life exceeds 50 hours

Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]

P. O. BOX 1667 SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92402

Web: www.tinker-rasor.com E-mail: [e-mail]

- 3 -

Sponsoring members of NACE International, NACE Foundation

QMF-570 107-077

PRODUCT INSTRUCTIONS

2. THEORY OF OPERATION

Overview:

The Model CE-IT Insulator Tester is a fully automatic, highly sensitive device used to test buried pipeline
insulators and the isolation of pipelines in road crossing casings to determine their effectiveness. The CE-IT has a
LCD readout that displays in English the condition of the insulator under test. An audible signal is heard when the
CE-IT is operating, with an increase in the speed of the pulsating tone when the test cycle is completed.

Principle of Operation:

The actual resistance of a buried insulator depends on many factors, such as the environment in which the joint is
located. In a very low resistivity environment, the normal resistance measurement for an insulating joint may be
as low as 0.5 ohm. Checking the insulating joint of a buried pipeline for current leakage is often a more reliable
test than an internal resistance test. For this reason, the CE-IT looks at the electrical characteristics of the joint
itself rather than the internal resistance. In general, the following conditions are evidenced when an effective
insulator is measured:

1. Substantially different ground voltage readings are evidenced on opposite sides of the
insulator. The delta Vg is usually smaller or even in the opposite polarity (interference
coupling) on the side of the insulator which is opposite from the protected segment of the
pipe.

2. The percentage of current leakage that the joint will allow to flow through is low (25
percent or less).

3. The voltage drop across the insulator is significant. (The voltage drop across an ineffective
or shorted insulator would be negligible in the range of 10 millivolts or less).

The Model CE-IT Insulator Tester uses the above three criteria to determine if the insulator and testing path (i.e.
connections from the test station to both ends of the insulator) is either: open, shorted or good. To operate: The
CE-IT is connected to both sides of the buried insulator through a test station (see below, figure 1).

When the power to the CE-IT is turned on and the "Start" button is pressed, the following sequence of events
occurs:

1. First the CE-IT senses the polarity of the voltage at the test leads and then matches that
polarity with the internal voltage in the instrument.

2. The CE-IT then senses the external voltage applied to the pipe and matches the internal
voltage reference with the external voltage. (The maximum external voltage should not
exceed 50 volts DC or 10 volts AC.)

3. After matching the external polarity and voltage, the CE-IT then measures the charging
current applied to the protected side of the pipeline and senses the current flowing through the insulator
throughout the testing cycle (about 20 seconds).

Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]

P. O. BOX 1667 SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92402

Web: www.tinker-rasor.com E-mail: [e-mail]

- 4 -

Sponsoring members of NACE International, NACE Foundation

QMF-570 107-077

PRODUCT INSTRUCTIONS

4. The CE-IT then displays the result of the completed test. A "Short" is indicated of the
voltage drop across the insulator is between 12 and 10 millivolts or less, and/or the
current leakage through the insulator is above 25 percent of the current applied to the
protected pipe. An "Open" is indicated in the case of an open wire connection from the
test station to the pipeline or the CE-IT test leads. A "Good" is indicated when the ground
voltage readings (delta Vg) are smaller or of opposite polarity on the unprotected side of
the pipeline, the current leakage through the insulator is less than 25 percent and the
voltage drop across the insulator is greater than 10 to 12 millivolts.

Figure 1.

3. SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS

All instruments being returned for repair should be sent PREPAID to either address below:
Tinker & Rasor

791 S. Waterman Ave
P.O. Box 1667
San Bernardino, CA 92402
Include with shipment information the nature of the problem, purchase order, serial number and return delivery
address. Immediate service is guaranteed!

102-138