What is Hi-Pot testing?

There are a lot of jargon words in the Test & Measurement (T&M world, so let’s eliminate some.

Hi-Pot is short for ‘High Potential’ and, in turn, ‘Potential’ is short for ‘potential difference, which is another term for voltage. Put them together and you have ‘high voltage’.

So, Hi-Pot testing just means high voltage Testing. Generally abbreviated to Hi-Pot or hipot.

What is considered ‘high voltage’?

In safety systems, a high voltage is generally anything above 48V above the system ground. At 50V, from a low impedance source, it is possible to seriously injure a person, and it is necessary to start taking precautions again electrical shock.


Fast, flexible and powerful Hi-Pot testing for cables

The CableEye HVX System combines our M3U tester with a high voltage module to provide Hi-Pot testing of insulation resistance and dielectric breakdown up to 2100Vdc and 1200Vac.

Adjustable in 1V increments from 10V to the maximum voltage permitted you have complete control over Ramp Up, Ramp Down, Dwell Time (same as Test Time), Trip Current, and Trip Delay (same as Soak Time).

Aside from the unique hardware design, the CableEye software is key to the stability and ease of measurement that has made the whole range of testers such a success.

Hi-Pot testing - control panel

Hi-Pot testing - configuration

Many safety protections have been built into the system, including a fast-trip 1.5mA current limit, a manual high voltage enable function at startup, and login control to ensure that every user has been properly trained before their login name will enable the system for Hi-Pot testing. Additionally, the optional HV Remote option (item 829X) can link into fixture covers or even area access control guards.

Hi-Pot testing - with four wire


The HVX system will operate as the M3U does now for low voltage testing, and then optionally perform Hi-Pot testing up to the voltage limit required.

Another popular option for CableEye HVX is the 4-wire measurement. A module that enables you to eliminate the effect of adaptors and adaptor wiring to show you the actual resistance of your cable-under-test. For more on this take a look at our 4-wire measurement page.

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Cimbian UK Ltd (E146)
C/O Titan Storage
Unit K, Riverside Ind. Est.
BN17 5DF

+44 1243 582555

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