Using an Insulation Tester

Article by: John C. Baker

An insulation tester is an important tool , Unlocking Your Dungeon: How to Finish a Basement Without Finishing off Your Checkbook when doing home , Too Many Improvement Decisions and Not Enough Answers-The Home Improvement Success System. renovation projects. Ideally, testing should be done prior to installing wallpaper, adding soundproofing material or other major repair , When is it time to buy a new bed? projects, especially in older homes , Guide for making Roman Shades where the quality of the electrical system is not known. Testing is important, as insufficient insulating can result in leaking current. Leaky current can result in a variety of problems, many of which are hazardous. These devices are fairly easy to use and testing is a good DIY project for most homeowners.

How an Insulation Tester Works

The tester applies DC voltage to the insulation system and measures the current that results. The results of the test show if the insulation is working well, or if it is allowing current to leak.

Portable testers come in 50, 100, 250, 500 or 1000 volts. It's important to use the right tester for the right system. Low voltage testers are required for low voltage systems, and high voltage testers for high voltage. Higher voltage is generally used for commercial systems, motors or transformers. Some digital testers work over a range of voltage and can be set for higher or lower volts.

Testers come in a variety of models. Portable, hand held devices cost a few hundred dollars and are the easiest to use. Larger units are not as portable and can cost a few thousand dollars. The voltage is the most important consideration, whether you are using a portable or larger device.

Importance of an Insulation Tester

Testing is a good idea when doing home , Ceramic Tile Flooring - The Healthy House Choice improvement projects around the house , The Right Way Of Using Portable Generator from the kitchen , Applying Epoxy Coating to Your Garage Flooring to the patio. , Tankless Water Heater Testing measures current leakage, which can cause a variety of problems. Insulating material deterioration allows electrical current to seep out of the insulated covering, like a leaky water , Too Many Home Improvement Decisions and Not Enough Answers-The Home Improvement Success System. pipe allows water , Chairs, Rocking Chairs and Other Comfortable Places To Park It! to seep out into the walls , Got Attic Mold? Lets Talk Energy Conservation! of your home. , Designing With Hardwood Floors

Leaking current creates heat, , Contemporary Bedroom Furniture: Planning A Bed which can cause a fire. , Unlocking Your Dungeon: How to Finish a Basement Without Finishing off Your Checkbook The current can seep out and flow into another pathway, like the water , Ceiling fans can make a big difference pipes in your kitchen , Construction Equipment Â– Are You Qualified To Rent? or bathroom. , How to Buy a LCD TV with HDTV This can cause electrical shock in the shower , Chester Conservatory Build Process or sink. Leaking current also results in higher electric , Air Conditioner Covers bills. In addition, it can cause the ground faults in your home , How to Quickly and Easily Enhance a Drab Balcony to trip repeatedly and eventually overheat.

Causes of Insulating Material Deterioration include:
o Excessive heat
o Excessive cold
o Moisture
o Vibration
o Dirt
o Oil

Using an Insulation Tester
o Before applying the tester, be sure to disconnect the power , Construction Equipment Â– Are You Qualified To Rent? from the system being tested.
o Disconnect all electronics. These can get damaged during the testing process. Double check to be sure all electronics are disconnected prior to testing. This is a common and very costly mistake.
o Make sure the voltage of the tester you are using is right for the insulation you will be testing.
o If you're not sure about the voltage, find out. When in doubt, use a lower voltage tester, rather than risking using a device that is too strong.

Ken Morris is author and designer , Ceramic Floor Tile-Installation And Maintenance Tips of the http://www.soundproofing-tips.com internetsite. The writer is publishing about insulation tester and other areas in this field.

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