Metrel MI 3290 Earth Analyser for Earth Resistance and Impedance

One earth tester for classic, clamp, frequency-sweep and impulse methods

The Metrel MI 3290 Earth Analyser is a portable, battery or mains powered instrument for measuring earth resistance, specific earth resistance and earth potential on energy and non-energy installations. Its case is protected to IP65 closed and IP54 open. The measurement method can be chosen to suit the site: classic 3-wire earth resistance, selective measurement with one clamp, stakeless measurement with two clamps, and four-clamp measurement for pylons.

Frequency choices are what set it apart. The user can run a single frequency or a frequency sweep from 55 Hz to 15 kHz, with the Z(f) curve drawn on screen, an HF method at 25 kHz in line with IEEE Std 81, or a pulse method that simulates a lightning strike. High noise immunity is aimed at industrial environments. A 4.3 inch colour touch screen runs the tests, the instrument operates from floating mains (90 to 260 V AC) or from a battery with a built-in fast charger, and the PC software prepares the test structure and handles download, tree, table and graphical views, storage and printing.

Technical specifications

Applications and what the sets contain

Metrel lists protective earthing of mono and multi-leg pylons with the protective earth cable connected, MV-to-LV transformer stations, ski lifts and radio towers, solar power plants, wind and water turbines, and industrial areas. The pylon methods use flex clamps up to 10 m in circumference, and measurements can be made without disconnecting the earth wire.

Every version includes the instrument, a 75 m shielded test lead on a reel, two 90 cm current earth spikes, two 42 cm potential earth spikes, a 2 m connection lead, 5 m blue and red leads, three 50 m leads on reels (black, green, blue), a calibration certificate, instruction manual, mains cable, USB cable and the Metrel ES Manager PC software. Each licence set (GX, GL, GF, GP) then adds its own clamps, step voltage plates, voltmeter MI 3295M, flex clamps with 15 m shielded cable and carrying accessories, as the leaflet ordering matrix shows. Optional items include the A 1018 and A 1019 current clamps, the A 1487 flex clamp and bags.

What to confirm before ordering

The leaflet lists several licence versions, so the main decision is which one you need. Say whether the work is substations and general earthing (classic and selective methods), stakeless clamp work, lightning-related impulse and HF impedance, or tower measurements with one or four flex clamps (GX1, GX4). Confirm cable reel lengths for your soil and site layout, clamps and the step contact measuring set. Metrel reserves the right to change specifications without notice.

Documents and quotation

The Metrel leaflet is attached as a datasheet. For another earth tester see the Megger DET4T2 four-terminal earth ground resistance tester, or browse the portable test and measurement category. Send the licence version, accessories and quantity for a quotation from Seven Star LLC.