Electrical & Electronic Measurement

Part – X
Megger

ER. FARUK BIN POYEN

faruk.poyen@gmail.com
AEIE, UIT, BU
Contents: 2
 Definition
 Construction
 Working Principle
 Reading Inference
 Types
 Electronic Type
 Handheld Type
 Applications
Megger: Definition 3

 Megger is the instrument used for measuring the resistance of the

insulation.
 Megger working principle is based on the working principle of moving
coil instruments, which states that when a current carrying conductor is
placed in a magnetic field, a mechanical force is experienced by it.
 The magnitude and direction of this force depend upon the strength and
direction of the current and magnetic field.
 It works on the principle of comparison, i.e., the resistance of the
insulation is compared with the known value of resistance.
 If the resistance of the insulation is high, the pointer of the moving coil
deflects towards the infinity, and if it is low, then the pointer indicates
zero resistance.
Megger: 4

 Insulation resistance (IR) quality degrades over time due to

temperature, humidity, moisture and dust effects.
 Insulation Resistance (IR) is a critical parameter as it directly affects
personal and equipment safety.
 It is mainly used to measure electrical leakage in wires.
 It is capable of showing the amount of leakage current and level of
moisture within the equipment or winding system.
 It can measure high resistances of the order of mega ohms.
Megger: Construction 5

 Deflecting and Control coil V1 & V2: Connected parallel to the

generator, mounted at right angle to each other and maintain polarities in
such a way to produced torque in opposite direction.
 Permanent Magnets : Produce magnetic field to deflect pointer with
North-South pole magnet.
Megger: Construction 6

 Pointer : One end of the pointer connected with coil another end deflects
on scale from infinity to zero.
 Scale : A scale is provided in front-top of the megger from range ‘zero’
to ‘infinity’, enable us to read the value.
 D.C generator or Battery connection : Testing voltage is produced by
hand operated DC generator for manual operated Megger. Battery /
electronic voltage charger is provided for automatic type Megger for
same purpose.
 Pressure Coil Resistance and Current Coil Resistance : Protect
instrument from any damage because of low external electrical
resistance under test.
Megger: Working Principle 7

 A test voltage of 500 V, 1000 V or 2500 V is generated by handheld

generator.
 A constant voltage source is maintained to test the insulation having low
resistance.
 Two pressure coils are rotated in the anticlockwise direction, whereas
the current coil is rotated in the clockwise direction.
 With the unknown resistance connected in the circuit, the moving coil
pointer becomes stable.
 The pressure coil and current coil balance the pointer and set it in the
middle of the scale.
Megger: Working Principle 8

 The deflection of pointer is directly proportional to the voltage applied

to the external circuit and the ration of currents in the two coils i.e.
unknown resistance.
 With an increase of potential voltage across the external circuit, the
deflection of the pointer increases; and with an increase of current, the
deflection of pointer decrease so the resultant torque on the movement is
directly proportional to the potential difference and inversely
proportional to the resistance.
 When the external circuit is open, torque due to voltage coil will be
maximum and the pointer will read “infinity”. When there is short
circuit the pointer will read “0”.
Megger: Reading Inference 9

 Produced torque shall be in opposite direction if current supplied to the

coil.

1. High Resistance = No Current :- No current shall flow through

deflecting coil, if resistance is very high i.e. infinity position of pointer.
2. Small Resistance = High Current :- If circuit measures small resistance
allows a high electric current to pass through deflecting coil, i.e.
produced torque make the pointer to set at ‘ZERO’.
3. Intermediate Resistance = Varied Current :- If measured resistance is
intermediate, produced torque align or set the pointer between the
range of ‘ZERO to INIFINITY’.
Megger: Types 10
 There are two types of megger
1. Electronic Type (Battery Operated)
2. Manual Type (Hand Operated)
Megger: Electronic Type 11

 The important parts of this megger test equipment are:

1. Digital Display:- To show the insulation resistance value in digital form
2. Testing Wires:- Two wire leads for connecting megger with an
electrical external system for testing the later.
3. Selection Switches:- Different parameter ranges are provided on the
meter, which can be selected by using the selection switches.
4. Indicators:- Different indicators are incorporated into the instrument to
give a visual and audible indication when the instrument is ON, for a
warning, parameter status etc.
Megger: Electronic Type – Pros & Cons 12

 Pros:
1. Level of accuracy is very high.
2. IR value is digital type, easy to read.
3. One person can operate very easily.
4. Works perfectly even at very congested space.
5. Very handy and safe to use.
 Cons:
1. Requires an external source of energy to energize i.e. Dry cell
2. High initial cost
Megger: Handheld Type 13

 The main parts of such megger testing unit comprise of:

1. Display:- An Analog display is provided, which is a pointer and a scale,

to show the IR value recording.
2. Hand Crank: As this a manually operated megger, a hand crank is
provided which can be rotated to generate the required voltage, which
runs through the electrical system for an insulation resistance test.
3. Wire Leads:- Two wire leads are provided which can be connected to
the electrical system which needs to be checked.
Megger: Handheld Type – Pros and Cons 14

 Pros
1. No external source required to operate
2. Excellent choice for emergency use
3. Cheaper than the electrical megger
 Cons
1. More manpower required.
2. Accuracy is not up to the level as it’s varies with rotation of crank.
3. Require very stable placement for operation which is a little hard to
find at working sites.
4. Unstable placement of tester may impact the result of tester.
Megger: Application 15

 Circuit Breaker Testing

 Cable Fault Testing
 Power Quality Analysis
 Power Factor Testing
 Low Resistance Testing
 Motor winding testing
 Alternator winding testing
Reference: 16
 https://www.electrical4u.com/megger-working-principle-types-history-uses-of-megger/
 https://circuitglobe.com/megger.html
 https://www.yourelectricalguide.com/2017/01/megger-insulation-tester.html
 https://www.marineinsight.com/marine-electrical/construction-and-operation-of-
megger-explained/