Brian said:
Why call it a "Megger" when it is really an insulation tester? Megger is a brand name.
As in, "Who has the AVO?" - just as the word AVO has become
synonymous with multimeter, Megger has become so for a high
voltage tester.
"Manufacturing insulation testers from 1kV to 10kV is where
the company Megger started, and the Megger brand name is so
well know today that maintenance professionals often
incorrectly use it as a verb when they refer to doing an
insulation test on wiring. This famous brand name dates back
to 1889, when the first portable insulation tester was
introduced with the MEGGER brand name on it. The firm enjoys
an outstanding reputation in the areas of ground testing,
oil testing and a wide variety of electrical contractor
maintenance tools such as multimeters portable appliance
testers and clamp-on meters."
It is, of course, part of AVO International.
My Megger was "handed down" to me by my great-uncle and
dates from 1935. It still works perfectly and has a current
type III calibration certificate...