Digital displays have long become standard in test and measurement. Even so, there are still applications where it makes perfect sense to use analog instruments. This is especially true for insulation testers. Here, it is often not only the measured value itself that matters, but also how it changes during the test.
That is exactly why the 3490 Analog Insulation Tester still has its place. It offers three test voltages, 250 V, 500 V and 1000 V, measures insulation resistance up to 4000 MΩ, and uses an analog needle display that makes changes during the test immediately visible. The 3490 is developed and manufactured in Japan at HIOKI’s own production facilities in Nagano Prefecture.
By the end of May 2026, the last analog HIOKI models 3490, IR4016, IR4017 and IR4018 will no longer be available for order. That means, now is very likely one of the last opportunities to buy a newly manufactured analog insulation tester of this kind.
Why analog still has its place in insulation testing
With an insulation tester, the final reading is not always the whole story. The behavior of the reading during the test can be just as important.
That is where an analog display still has a real advantage. On the 3490, the movement of the pointer shows immediately whether the reading settles smoothly, rises slowly or behaves in a way that deserves a closer look. In many cases, that is easier to grasp than with a purely numerical display.
A good comparison is an analog wristwatch. You do not read digits first; you take in the position of the hands. An analog measuring instrument works in a similar way. The overall state of the measurement becomes visible at a glance. That is one reason why analog insulation testers are still appreciated in everyday work.
IR4016, IR4017 and IR4018 have their own practical advantages as well. Each model comes with one fixed test voltage only. That means using the wrong voltage is basically no longer an issue, especially not selecting one that is too high by mistake. This article still focuses mainly on the 3490, simply because it is the more versatile model, covering 250 V, 500 V and 1000 V in one instrument.
Analog instruments have been part of HIOKI since the beginning
Analog indicating instruments have been part of HIOKI from the very beginning and are firmly embedded in the company’s history.
That is why the discontinuation of these models is more than just a routine portfolio change. For many users, it marks the end of a type of instrument that offers a very direct and practical way of reading a measurement.
For anyone planning larger quantities, one date now matters most: orders from the factory in Japan will only be possible until the end of May 2026. This should be taken into account early, especially for project-related demand or stock building. Available quantities can already no longer be guaranteed. Ultimately, everything depends on how many units can still actually be manufactured with the remaining components.
Digital alternatives within the HIOKI portfolio
The end of the analog models does not mean there are no suitable successors. If you are looking for the closest digital successor in terms of overall specifications and housing format, IR4056 is the obvious choice.
If a digital bar graph matters to you, IR4057-50 is a very good fit. It uses the same housing format and also provides storage space for test leads. If you prefer a more compact design with a silicone protector, IR4059 is the right choice. It also includes a digital bar graph.
Conclusion
By the end of May 2026, even we at HIOKI Europe will lose the option to place new factory orders in Japan for the last analog HIOKI insulation testers. Naturally, the 3490 will remain available for some time after production ends through stock held by distribution partners such as Premier Farnell or ASITA in Italy. In addition, HIOKI Europe has reserved its own batch for our online shop. But the same rule applies there as well; only while stocks last, because from summer onward no new units will be coming in.
