I can't imagine that anyone would stay in business very long selling equipment which destructively tested items unless there was no other way.
Insulation resistance testing is done at very low current. So no damage is necessary or likely.
__________________
A great troubleshooting tip...."When you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
If the insulation test voltage is above the dielectric withstand voltage of the cable and you are using a simple isolation tester you will certainly be able to damage it.
Insulation resistance is usually determined at a voltage below the dielectric withstand voltage. Often insulation resistance testing is performed before and after a dielectric withstand voltage test with the intention of verifying the integrity or degradation of the insulation after high voltage stress.
Hipot testers with IR function and arc detection claim to allow non-destructive high voltage testing. If this is true will depend on your specific case.
Useful reading would be the application notes regarding arc detection from the hipot manufacturers. A google search should give a good starting base.
Insulation Resistance Tester
Re: Insulation Resistance Tester
