3490 Analog MΩ HiTester

• resistance to falling to the floor from a height of up to 1 m
• display of voltage higher than 20 VAC between phase and earth
• display of residual voltage higher than 20 VDC
• battery power supply (continuous operation approx. 20 h)
• automatic battery saver

Detailed Product Overview

In installation and maintenance work, insulation resistance testing is required when checking wiring, distribution boards, motors and electrical equipment after repairs or during periodic inspections. For many electricians, analog insulation testers remain a practical choice for straightforward measurements because the needle movement provides an immediate visual indication of insulation behaviour during the test. The direct mechanical display allows gradual changes in insulation resistance to be observed clearly during measurement.

The 3490 is a battery-powered analog insulation tester with three test voltages of 250 V, 500 V and 1000 V. It measures insulation resistance up to 4000 MΩ and is used for testing electrical installations, motors and electrical equipment. The instrument complies with the requirements of EN 61557 for insulation resistance and protective conductor testing in lowvoltage installations. 

Analog Needle Display

The analog needle display allows the insulation resistance to be assessed directly during the measurement. The movement of the needle shows how the insulation resistance changes while the test voltage is applied, which can help identify unstable or slowly rising insulation values. 

The scale is optimized for insulation testing at 250 V, 500 V and 1000 V, allowing the measurement value to be read directly from the corresponding scale. 

Protective Conductor and Voltage Check

Protective conductor testing is performed with a 200 mA test current in accordance with EN 61557-4. The defined test current applies a load to the protective conductor connection and helps detect increased contact resistance or poor connections. 

In addition to insulation and low-resistance measurement, the instrument also provides an AC voltage check up to 600 V. This allows the user to verify whether the test object is live before starting an insulation measurement. 

Designed for Practical Field Work

The 3490 complies with CAT III 600 V and is designed for use in electrical installations and service work. The instrument is powered by four AA batteries and provides approximately 20 hours of continuous operation under typical test conditions. 

After an insulation measurement, the built-in discharge circuit automatically discharges the test object to reduce residual voltage. Like all HIOKI insulation testers, the 3490 is designed and manufactured in Japan at HIOKI’s own production facilities in Nagano Prefecture.