High Voltage or Low Voltage? Which Tester Should You Buy?

Whether you are new to automated testing or looking to upgrade your test process, buying the right tester is one of the important decisions you must make. If you’ve started looking at cable testers, you may notice two distinct categories: low voltage and high voltage. The following information may help you decide whether low voltage is sufficient for your testing or if you should consider a high voltage tester.

A low voltage tester performs the basic tests you’d expect:

• Continuity/Opens Test
• Shorts Test
• Components Test

These three LV tests can tell you if your cable is good or bad. Many manufacturers get by with only these tests.

What’s a High Voltage Tester?

A high voltage tester performs the same tests as the low voltage tester as well as additional tests not generally required by manufacturers. These tests find potential defects that could manifest in the future. These tests include:

• Dielectric Withstand Test
• Insulation Resistance Test

Why would you want high voltage testing if it isn’t required? Spending time and money on unrequired testing may sound like a waste, but the results of high voltage testing can tell a different story.

High voltage testing can catch defects that may go unnoticed any other way. Some of these include problems with insulation or near shorts. Imagine a cable failing when it could have been prevented with an extra test. Finding errors in cable early could save your company money later. If you are worried about cables failing in the field, high voltage can help.

To learn more about high voltage testing or to shop for a quality cable tester, check out the links below.

Further Reading:

What is the Difference between High Voltage and Hipot?

What Do We Mean By “Low Voltage Testing?”

Which Tester Should I Buy?