No. 250 September 2012

NEWProductsIR4056-20 and IR4057-20 Digital MΩ HiTESTERs

Enhancing our Popular IR Series of Handheld Insulation TestersAt the end of September, HIOKI will launch updated versions of its popular

3453 and 3454-10/-11 Digital MΩ HiTESTERs. The IR4057-20 replaces the advanced 3453 model, while the IR4056-20 replaces the popular 3454-10/-11 models. The new instruments adopt the same appearance as the already-available analog IR4016-20, IR4017-20, IR4018-20, and 3490, completing HIOKI’s series of megaohm meters with our signature design.

One major feature of fered by both new instruments is improved measurement speed. Customer feedback indicated that digital megaohm meters suffer from reduced ease of use compared to their analog counterparts

due to the time required for values to stabilize. Readings for measurement targets without a capacitance component display immediately, and the instruments can generate readings for targets wi th a capaci tance component significantly faster than previous designs.

Stability of measured values is another defining characteristic of the new products. Feedback from customers indicated that digital megaohm meters have displays that flicker between frequently changing values, making them hard to read. In response, HIOKI made major improvements to noise resistance, yielding stable display values. Other enhancements include a brighter backlight and an optional test lead with LED illumination so that users can make measurements in dark working environments with confidence and peace of mind. Previous models offered only AC voltage measurement, but the new instruments feature DC voltage measurement to facilitate use in a broad range of applications in the solar power and electric vehicle markets. Detection of AC/DC mode is automatic.

Thanks to extensive expertise developed over many years of experience in the f ield measur ing inst rument market, HIOKI is confident t h a t t h e I R 4 0 5 6 - 2 0 and IR4057-20 will l ive up to their ful l potential as portable digital megaohm meters that deliver world-class performance. Distributors are expected to actively promote these new products to ensure deep and broad market penetration.

IR4057-20 with Digital Bar Graph

In this Issue:

New Products - IR4056-20/IR4057-20.....p.1-2

New Product - MR8740/8741.......................p.2

New Product Update - DT4281/DT4282......p.3

Discontinued Products.................................p.3

Application Notes......................................p.4-5

Q&A Corner...................................................p.6

Message from HIOKI..................................p.7

IR4056-20 IR4057-20 3454-11/51 3453Comparator Speed 0.8s 0.3s Not definedResponse time (10MΩ @500V) 1.0s 0.6s 5s 5s

Digital Bar Graph No Yes No Yes

HIOKI FLASH vol. 250 September 2012page 2

Message from the Developer - IR4056-20 & IR4057-20

Basic Specifications - IR4056-20 & IR4057-20

The IR4056-20 and IR4057-20 are 5-range Digital MΩ HiTesters with 200mA continuity check functionality. These new products deliver the increased response speed and noise resistance needed by many users, outpacing previous designs by a factor of 2 (IR4056-20) or 4 (IR4057-20). Plus, thanks to dramatically improved noise resistance, the new insulation testers can make accurate measurements in harsh noise environments in which it would have been impossible to obtain accurate readings with previous designs due to measured value instability.

Furthermore, both instruments deliver significant improvements in their comparator functionality, the greatest advantage that the digital tester architecture has to offer. Once this feature has been appropriately configured, the IR4057-20 can generate a pass/fail judgment in just 0.3 seconds. The backlight turns red when the instrument encounters a fail judgment result so that the operator can recognize at a glance the presence of a defective part. Additionally, the optional L9788-10 Test Lead with Remote Control Switch incorporates its own judgment indicator. The ability to stay abreast of judgment results by using the L9788-10 allows operators to test insulation as if they were checking continuity, moving from test location to test location without needing to check the instrument’s display. This function is extremely useful when performing insulation testing in an electric panel with multiple branch circuits.

Since the instruments comply with the IEC 61557 standard governing measuring instruments used to test electrical equipment in buildings, they can be introduced to customers with a need to test work involving the types of electrical equipment outlined in the standard.

Rated output voltage (DC) 50V 125V 250V 500V 1000V

Effective maximum indicated value (MΩ)

indicated value100 250 500 2000 4000

Effective medium value (MΩ) 2 5 10 50 100

1st effectivemeasuring range [MΩ];

accuracy ±4 % rdg.

0.200 to

10.00

0.200 to

25.0

0.200 to

50.0

0.200 to

5000.200 to

1000

2st effectivemeasuring range [MΩ];

accuracy ±8 % rdg10.1 to100.0

25.1 to250

50.1 to

500501 to2000

1010 to4000

Other measuring range [MΩ] 0 to 0.199; accuracy ±2 % rdg. ±6 dgt.

Lower limit resistancevalue to maintain

nominal output voltage0.05 MW

0.125 MW

0.25 MW

0.5 MW 1 MW

Overload protection (10s) 600 VAC 1200 VAC

Insulation Resistance Measurement Voltage Measurement

D C V

Display range(Auto range) 4.2 V 42 V 420 V 600 V

Maximumindicated value 4.200 V 42.00 V 420.0 V 750 V

Resolution 0.001 V 0.01 V 0.1 V 1 V

Accuracy ±1.3 % rdg. ±4 dgt.

A C V

Display range(Auto range) 420 V 600 V

Maximum indicated value 420.0 V 750 V

Resolution 0.1 V 1 V

Accuracy ±2.3 % rdg. ±8 dgt.

Frequency range 50/60 Hz

AC/DC automaticdetection range AC detected at 30 V or greater (50/60 Hz)

Effect of temperature Measurement accuracy per 1°C × 0.1

Resistance MeasurementDisplay range(Auto range) 10 Ω 100 Ω 1000 Ω

Maximumindicated value 10.00 W 100.0 W 1000 W

Resolution 0.01 W 0.1 W 1 W

Accuracy0 to 0.19 W: ±3dgt.0.20 to 10.00 W: ±3%rdg. ±2dgt.

±3%rdg. ±2dgt.

Basic Specifications

Indicator Semi-transmissive FSTN LCD, positive Backlight

Power source LR6 alkaline battery × 4, 20 hours

Maximum ratedvoltage to earth

600 V AC/DC, Measurement Category Ⅲ,Anticipated Transient Overvoltage: 6000 V

Dielectric strength 7060 V AC, 50/60 Hz, Measurement terminals -electrical enclosure, 1 min, current sensitivity 1 mA

Mr. Ryuta Saito, far right, and his development team

HIOKI FLASH vol. 250 September 2012 page 3

Basic Specifications - MR8740 & MR8741

NewPRODUCTS

HIOKI is happy to launch the MR8740 and MR8741, system-compatible special-purpose Memory HiCorders that can record up to 54 analog channels (MR8741: 16 channels). These instruments are designed for use in function testing at production sites (automobile ECUs, EV inverters, etc.) and monitoring and testing of power equipment.

Furthermore, the new MR8990 Digital Voltmeter Unit makes it possible to perform high-precision voltage measurement (with accuracy on par with that of a 24-bit DMM). The ability to display results not only in numerical format (like a DMM), but also graphically as a waveform makes it possible to observe changes over t ime, al lowing the instruments to be promoted to users that need to perform high-precision

measurement, for example testing of individual battery cells.Measurement systems often combine waveform measurement

with numerous DMM units, and the MR8740/41 and MR8990 can be promoted to customers that operate such systems. It goes without saying that existing MR8847 units can also be used and displayed simultaneously, allowing this single instrument to be used to measure the full range of physical properties. These instruments promise to help cut down on measurement system rack space and costs.

Please note, however, that the MR8740 and MR8741 are not yet CE marked, so they cannot be shipped to European countries. For the time being, the instruments will be regarded as specialty products such that a general pricing announcement will not be made, and prices will be quoted individually. Please contact your HIOKI representative for more information.

MR8740 and MR8741 MEMORY HiCORDERsSpecial Purpose High-Speed Recorders for Systems Integration

MR8740 MR8741

No. of Channels

27 slots available, split into Block I (16 slots) and Block II (11 slots)Maximum 54 analog channels using 27 Analog Units (e.g., 8966, 8971)16 logic channels built-in (8 logic channels per Block)Up to 3 x 8973 Logic Units per Block (6 units total) can be used for an additional 96 logic channels, reducing maximum analog channels to 21 slots = maximum 42 analog channels

8 slots availableMaximum 16 analog channels using 8 Analog Units (e.g., 8966, 8971)

16 logic channels built-in (8 logic channels per Block)

Analog Units are isolated from each other between channels and from the main chassis, channels in Logic Unit and built-in logic terminal channels all share a common ground with the main chassis

Measurement Range(20div f.s.)

5mV to 20V/div, 12 ranges, resolution : 1/100 of range (when using 8966)5mV to 20V/div, 12 ranges, resolution : 1/1600 of range (when using 8968)

Max. Allowable Input DC 400V (when using 8966/8968, maximum voltage that can be applied between input terminals without causing damage)

Max. Rated Voltage to Earth

AC, DC 300V (with input isolated from the unit, the maximum voltage that can be applied between input channel and chassis and between input channels without damage)

Freq. characteristics DC to 5MHz (-3dB, when using 8966), DC to 100kHz (-3dB, when using 8968)

Fastest Sampling Speed

Block I: 20MS/s over 32ch simultaneously, Block II: 20MS/s over 22ch simultaneously *If staggering between blocks, fastest is 1us or 1 sampling 20MS/s simultaneously over all channels

Time Axis (MEM) 5µs to 5min/div, 26 ranges, time axis resolution of 100 points, time axis zoom: ×2 to ×10 in 3 iterations, compression: 1/2 to 1/20,000 in 13 iterations

Measurement Function MEM (High speed recording), FFT

Memory Capacity 16MW/ch (fixed), Total 864MW built-in 16MW/ch (fixed), Total 256MW built-in

External Memory USB2.0 memory stick

Display None (Digital DVI terminal available in each block, 800x600 dots) None (Digital DVI terminal built-in, 800x600 dots)

External Interfaces [LAN] 100BASE-TX (DHCP, DNS-compatible, FTP server, WEB server); [USB] USB2.0 Series A receptacle ×2 (for mouse operation)

Lead developer Mr. Hidekazu Tsukada, right, and Mr. Takuma Oya

MR8740 with 54 analog channels

MR8741 with 16 analog channels

HIOKI FLASH vol. 250 September 2012page 4

NewPRODUCTUpdate

DiscontinuedPRODUCTSPlease remove the following items from your ordering system.

Inclusion of any discontinued items in your PO will delay processing of the ENTIRE order.

As we finish up the last minute details before the release of the new DT4281/DT4282 Digital Multimeters, here are the complete specifications to assist you in your marketing activities.

DT4281/DT4282 Digital Multimeters

Model Description DiscontinuedSuggested

ReplacementsThe following instruments have been discontinued since the last Flash release

7016 SIGNAL SOURCE August 31, 2012

9667 FLEXIBLE CLAMP ON SENSOR September 4, 2012 CT9667

HIOKI DT4281 HIOKI DT4282Special Features: *CATIV 600V *Drop-proof *Shutter-lock mechanism Applications: *DC recharging stations *UPS battery testing *Inverter measurements

Voltage

ACV 6 Ranges: 60.000mV / 600.00mV / 6.0000V / 60.000V / 600.00V / 1000.0VBasic Accuracy: ± 0.3% rdg. ± 25dgt.

DCV 6 Ranges: 60.000mV / 600.00mV / 6.0000V / 60.000V / 600.00V / 1000.0VBasic Accuracy: ± 0.025% rdg. ± 2dgt.

DC + ACV 4 Ranges: 6.0000V / 60.000V / 600.00V / 1000.0VBasic Accuracy: ± 0.4% rdg. ± 30dgt.

Current

AC μA, mA 6 Ranges: 600.00 μA / 6000.0 μA / 60.000mA / 600.00mA / 6.0000A / 10.000ABasic Accuracy:± 0.6% rdg. ± 5dgt.

DC μA, mA 6 Ranges: 600.00 μA / 6000.0 μA / 60.000mA / 600.00mA / 6.0000A / 10.000ABasic Accuracy: ± 0.05% rdg. ± 5dgt.

ACA n/a6.0000A/10.000A

Basic Accuracy:± 0.8% rdg. ± 5dgt.

DCA n/a6.0000A/10.000A

Basic Accuracy: ± 0.2% rdg. ± 5dgt.

Connectible Clamp sensors HIOKI 9010-50, 9018-50, 9132-50 n/a

Frequency 99.999Hz / 999.99Hz / 9.9999kHz / 99.999kHz / 500.00kHzBasic Accuracy: ± 0.05% rdg. ± 2dgt.

Resistance 8 Ranges: 60.000 Ω to 600.00 MΩ Basic Accuracy: ± 0.02% rdg. ± 3dgt.

Capacitance9 Ranges: 1.000nF to 100.0 mF

Basic Accuracy: ± 1.0% rdg. ± 5dgt.

Temperature (K Thermocouple) -50 to 800.0°C (Basic Accuracy: ± 0.3% rdg. ± 3°C )

HIOKI FLASH vol. 250 September 2012 page 5

ApplicationNOTESModel: FT6380Customer: Electricity producer (equipment management department)Application: Regular testing of lightning rods at hydroelectric power plantsThe customer, an electricity producer, chose the FT6380 due to its simple measurement operation, compact size, and ease of use in checking ground resistance as part of regular testing of lightning rods.

Model: 3169-21 + 8430-20Customer: Vocat ional school (machiner y program)Application: Measurement of var iat ions in machine tool power consumptionDescription: The customer uses the 8430-20 to monitor and record analog output from a 3169-21 unit that has been set up to measure variations in power consumption by machine tools operating under a variety of conditions. The data is captured and managed using a computer. This capability allows the program to expose students to readily visible machine tool characteristics as part of their training, for example by letting them observe the significant variations in power consumption that occur depending on factors such load application and blade wear.

Model: LR8401-20Customer: S e m i c o n d u c t o r c o m p o n e n t manufacturer (production engineering department)Application: Semiconductor durability testingThe customer uses the LR8401-20 to measure resistance between pins during thermal shock testing of semiconductor components. The company uses an expensive, dedicated tester when dielectric voltage testing is required, but it chose three LR8401-20 (60-channel) units for this application, which doesn’t involve dielectric voltage testing but requires 160 channels of measurement capacity.

Model: IM3570Customer: Capacitor manufacturer (technology department)Application: Evaluation testing of electrolytic capacitorsThe customer uses the IM3570 to evaluate elec t ro ly t ic capac i tors by measur ing four parameters (C, ESR, tan d, and Z) while sweeping the frequency. The company has consistently chosen this instrument over time as a result of its compact size, low price, and simple configuration and operation.

Model: LR5041Customer: Faculty of Architecture at a universityApplication: Recording of analog output from an actinometerThe customer uses the LR5041 to record output from an actinometer used in research into solar power generation. The faculty made the decision to purchase multiple LR5041 units due to the instrument’s ability to make accurate measurements with its 50 mV range, which differentiated it from competing products that were unable to measure the low, millivolt-level voltages that characterize the analog output.

Model: IM3570Customer: M a n u f a c t u r e r o f e l e c t r o n i c components (materials research department)Application: Charac te r i s t i c s eva lua t i on o f piezoelectric elementsThe customer uses the IM3570 to calculate resonance points by evaluating piezoelectric element characteristics by means of data such as Z-q and G-B in the range of about 100 kHz to 200 kHz.

Model: LR8401-20Customer: Semic onduc to r manu fac tu re r (equipment management department)Application: Measurement o f temperature distribution inside a chamberThe customer uses the LR8401-20 to measure temperature distribution at 14 locations inside a chamber used in temperature test ing of semiconductors in order to check for device malfunctions. Records of data are kept as part of a regular testing regimen. The company chose the LR8401-20 after f inding that it delivered more robust noise resistance compared to other manufacturers’ loggers when used with a resistance thermometer sensor.

HIOKI FLASH vol. 250 September 2012page 6

Q: Is it possible to capture and process 10MHz signals on Model 8860-50 with Model 8956?A: When using Model 8956 with the 8860-50, because the fastest sampling is 20MS/s, it can only observe only up to about 800kHz signals, even if you use a higher frequency response probe.

Q: Although the 9557 RS-232C card is no longer available, can you propose an alternative solution for a customer who is using the older Model 8835-01? A: I’m afraid the card technology is too old, so no other company supplies RS-232C cards. It’s an expensive solution but we suggest replacing it with the MR8880-20 and the USB connection.

Q: I’d like to measure the power quality of the power coming into a common house over 3 phases by measuring the secondary breaker. According to the instruction manual, for 1P3W circuits, CH4 is grounded to the neutral. How do I connect to a breaker? To measure how “clean” the power is, do I need to connect CH4?A: CH4 observes the electric potential of the neutral to ground, so if there is no need to identify this potential, you do not need to connect it.

Q: How do I increase the number of displayed digits on the 8870-20? I am currently measuring 2.4V to 2.5V in MEM mode, and then converting the data to CSV, but I am only getting up to the hundredths digit such as 2.42 or 2.48. How do I see more digits after the decimal period? My current settings are 1V/DIV and 1S/DIV, recording over 16 hours.A: Please change the vertical axis resolution to 1/100 of the range, and capture at 200mV/DIV.

Q: I understand that the ST5540 supports the IEC60601:3rd edition standard, and is divided into Network B1 and B2. Besides the measurement results and method, is there also a change in the circuit that allows two different Networks to be measured?A: No, the c ircuit is the same for both Networks, the dif ference between B1 and B2 is the standard to which each complies. There are two networks due to differences in

measurement frequency and the specifications of the measurement method.

Q: I want to use Model PW3198 to mainly measure flicker (Delta V10 and IEC). Can I arbitrarily set the measurement time? I am measuring a waveform that I have captured using a recorder and amplifying it to 100 ACV. The longest waveform I can get is a 1 minute signal due to the limits of the recorder. Can you provide a solution?A: In general, flicker measurements take place over a long period of time. As such Delta V10 measurements are conducted every 1 minute, and the recommended total observation time is 1 hour, and according the IEC standards, the IEC flicker should be done every 10 minutes, over a minimum of 2 hours. Can your recorder capture 1 minute waveforms repeatedly in order to satisfy the flicker measurement conditions? If the recorder can do this without gaps, this can be a possible solution.

Q: What HIOKI instruments are compatible only with the older AC Adapter Model 9418-10?A: The instruments sold in the international market are:• Model 3551 Battery HiTESTER• Model 3625 Temperature HiLOGGER• Model 7011 DC Signal Source• Models 8804/8805/8806 MEMORY HiCORDERs

Q: When exporting data captured by the LR8400 series to Excel using the Logger Utility, can I specify the cell and/or sheet from which to place the data?A: No, I’m afraid there is no such function.

Q: Can I measure currents in a few mA levels using Model 3801-50?A: Yes, the current range of 3801-50 is 510.00 uA to 10.00, split into 6 ranges. However, you will need to disconnect the circuit being measured before measuring the current. To measure while the current is l ive, we recommend a Clamp On HiTESTER such as Models 3283 or 3293-50.

Q&ACorner

HIOKI FLASH vol. 250 September 2012 page 7

Naomasa KurasawaDirector, International Sales Division

Hello everyone.To begin, let me say that I truly appreciate

your vast cooperation and support as HIOKI distributors. Without a doubt, our international business is and has always been comprised of all of your businesses around the world. Furthermore, HIOKI and our distributors have been keeping a close relationship for a long time and our hope is to develop an even closer relationship with all of you.

I am rejoining the HIOKI International Sales Department after a 9-year interval at our overseas subsidiaries. When I was first with the department from 1999 to 2003, although HIOKI’s vision was already “internationalization” at that time, the speed of our actions was not as quick as they are now. In recent years, HIOKI accelerated the speed of globalization rapidly through the establishment of some of our subsidiaries as well as representative offices, especially in Asia, under Mr. Takano’s leadership. During this exciting period, we set up HIOKI Shanghai in 2007 where I worked. Then from 2010 until just last month, I worked at HIOKI USA, HIOKI’s subsidiary in the US.

As you may know, HIOKI’s mid-term target by 2014 is to achieve a total of 20 billion JPY in sales. In breaking down this number, 10 billion yen is expected to come from the international market, and 10 billion yen from the Japanese market. Despite this publicized goal, HIOKI’s 2011 sales to our overseas customers was only around 6.5 billion JPY. It is clear that we are struggling to establish our global business.

Nevertheless, we have set our goal and will not stop our efforts to globalize. Our next important mission is to reinforce our existing sales networks, which are made up

of our subsidiaries and distributors. When we established our various subsidiaries, we needed staff that can assist our local distribution channels, meaning that our staff’s abilities and knowledge about HIOKI products need to be more advanced than those of our local distributors. For that reason, HIOKI sent experienced Japanese staff to each office and have been providing the necessary product training. Similarly with our overseas distributors, we hope to provide as much useful information as possible in order to familiarize you with the wide range of new products that we have been developing regularly. We will strive to spend more time with all our distributors in order to exchange valuable information with you. For example, to close the communication gap, we should have regular conference calls that involve distributors from regions that are most relevant to the meeting agenda. This will allow us to share opinions and market feedback in a timely and more efficient manner.

As I mentioned, HIOKI’s sales goal is 20 billion yen. This means that HIOKI is not seeking to be a giant company, but rather to be a mid-sized Test and Measurement organization with our own brand and our own assets. In the last few years, HIOKI accompl ished our goal of establ ishing subsidiaries in the key regions around the world as part of our path towards making HIOKI a global company. Now it is time to work on further developing and enhancing the relationship we have with our international distributors whom we depend on to promote our brand in other parts of the globe. I look forward to working with each and every one of you as we strive to bring about mutual success for all of us.

HIOKI FLASH

Published by: HIOKI E.E. CORPORATION 81 Koizumi, Ueda, Nagano 386-1192, JapanTEL: +81-268-28-0562 FAX: +81-268-28-0568Internet: os-com@hioki.co.jp / www.hioki.comPublication Naomasa KurasawaManager: Director International Sales Division

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