AMPTEC Research · Failsafe Igniter Testers
620VN
Wide-range intrinsically safe, failsafe digital igniter tester for measuring explosive device resistance safely.
The AMPTEC 620VN is a system-oriented, intrinsically safe and failsafe digital ohmmeter for portable or bench use, with RS232C built in. It exists for ultra-safe resistance testing of squibs, flares, bridge-wires and other pyrotechnic or explosive devices: test current is limited to 8 mA on every range, so the measurement can never fire the device under test. For engineers in aerospace, defense and munitions safety it combines that safety case with real measurement accuracy. Evencat is the sole distributor for AMPTEC in Taiwan.
Overview
The 620VN wide-range digital failsafe igniter tester is the member of the AMPTEC 620 series aimed at system integration. Six ranges from 20 ohm to 2 Mohm reach from bridge-wire resistance up to high-value insulation, so one instrument covers the whole firing circuit. Its defining safety feature is failsafe current limiting that holds maximum test current below 8 mA; the design is UL-913 compliant, built under ISO 9001:2015, and derived from the model approved by the USAF Nonnuclear Munitions Safety Board. A 4-1/2 digit LED display and 4-wire Kelvin terminals cancel lead resistance, giving +/-0.02% accuracy on the low ranges. The built-in RS232C port sends readings straight to a PC, which is what makes it a natural fit for automated test stations. Power comes from rechargeable NICAD batteries and the unit weighs 4 lbs, so it moves between bench and field. Before ordering, choose the test lead or probe set that matches your connector geometry, and add the USB-to-RS232C cable if the host PC has no serial port.
Key specifications
| Resistance ranges | 20Ω / 200Ω / 2kΩ / 20kΩ / 200kΩ / 2MΩ |
|---|---|
| Maximum failsafe current | 8 mA (all ranges) |
| Nominal test current | 5mA down to 0.05µA (by range) |
| Accuracy | ±0.02% (low ranges) to ±1% (highest range) |
| Resolution | 1mΩ to 100Ω (by range) |
| Display | 4½ digit LED |
| Update rate | 3 readings per second |
| Open-circuit voltage | 1.6 VDC |
| Maximum input voltage | 250 VDC |
| Interface | RS232C; 4-wire Kelvin terminals |
| Power | Rechargeable NICAD batteries (4 cells, 5 Ahr) |
| Dimensions / weight | 9.75" × 10" × 3.25" / 4 lbs |
Features
Failsafe current limiting
Test current on every range is held below 8 mA, so squibs, bridge-wires and other pyrotechnics cannot be fired by the measurement.
Six ranges, 20 ohm to 2 Mohm
Covers bridge-wire resistance through high-value insulation with +/-0.02% accuracy on the low ranges, all in one instrument.
4-wire Kelvin measurement
Kelvin terminals take lead and contact resistance out of the reading, giving accurate, repeatable low-resistance results.
RS232C for system integration
The built-in RS232C port streams readings to a PC, ready for automated test and data logging systems.
Clear digital readout
4-1/2 digit LED display refreshed 3 times a second for an immediate, unambiguous reading.
Battery-powered, bench or field
Runs on four rechargeable 5 Ahr NICAD cells and weighs 4 lbs, so it serves as a bench unit or travels to the site.
Typical applications
Ordnance QA
Outgoing measurement of detonating cord and detonators for weapon systems
In production and acceptance of non-nuclear munitions, the 620VN measures each squib and bridge-wire individually, confirming the value sits inside tolerance while a failsafe current of no more than 8 mA rules out an accidental fire. Because its design traces back to the specification approved by the USAF Nonnuclear Munitions Safety Board, it has become a line-standard tool at aerospace and defense plants.
Automated test
Automated test station logging over the RS232C interface
Where pyrotechnic manufacturing demands full digital traceability, the 620VN connects to the station PC over its standard RS232C port. The PC selects the range remotely (six ranges, 20 ohm to 2 Mohm) and reads resistance in real time, so batch testing and reporting run without an operator and the quality record stays complete.
R&D validation
Wide-range electrical characterization of new initiator designs
In a development lab, new initiator designs range from low-resistance bridge heads to high-resistance insulation monitoring loops. A single 620VN spans 20 ohm to 2 Mohm, and 4-wire Kelvin connection removes lead impedance, so engineers characterize a device fully without swapping instruments and shorten the prototype validation cycle.
Options and configuration
Tick the options you need. We compile the configuration into a list and carry it into the quote request form.
Standard equipment (included)
Test lead and probe options
Case and connection options
Downloads
Need pricing, specifications or lead time for 620VN?