megger
C2Technical (Electrical Engineering, Maintenance). Highly specialized term.
Definition
Meaning
A brand name that has become a generic term for an insulation resistance tester, an electrical instrument used to measure high resistance values, particularly to check the integrity of wire insulation or motor windings.
In broader, non-technical use, it can sometimes refer informally to any large, impressive, or complex piece of electrical or electronic equipment. This usage is very rare and informal.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is a classic example of a proprietary eponym (like 'hoover' or 'band-aid'). In professional contexts, it is understood to mean a specific type of test equipment, not just any multimeter. The informal extended meaning is marginal and not widely recognized.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in technical meaning. The brand 'Megger' is a British company, so the term might be slightly more entrenched in UK electrical engineering and trade jargon.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Low frequency in general language, but high frequency within specific technical domains like electrical testing, power distribution, and industrial maintenance in both the UK and US.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to megger [an object] (e.g., 'Megger the motor windings')to test [an object] with a meggera megger reading of [value]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. It is a technical noun/verb.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in businesses selling or using electrical testing equipment.
Academic
Used in electrical engineering, physics, and vocational training texts and lectures.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Unknown to the general public.
Technical
The primary domain. Standard jargon for electricians, electrical engineers, maintenance technicians, and power utility workers.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Before commissioning the new circuit, the electrician will megger all the cables to ensure safety.
- You should always megger the motor after a rewind.
American English
- The protocol requires us to megger the generator windings annually.
- I meggered the feeder cable and found the insulation had broken down.
adverb
British English
- None. The word is not used as an adverb.
American English
- None. The word is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The megger reading was satisfactory, over 100 megohms.
- We need to get a megger test certificate for the inspection.
American English
- He recorded the megger results in the maintenance log.
- A low megger value indicates potential moisture ingress.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The technician used a special device called a megger to check the cable.
- A megger test ensures the wiring is safe.
- After the flood, every circuit in the building had to be meggered to assess insulation damage.
- The hand-cranked megger provides a test voltage without the need for batteries.
- A digital megger can store readings and generate test reports.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MEGger for MEGohmmeter (measuring millions of ohms). It 'megs' out the insulation.
Conceptual Metaphor
TOOL FOR A SPECIFIC FUNCTION (like a 'can-opener'). HEALTH CHECK-UP FOR WIRING (the megger 'diagnoses' the health of insulation).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "мега" (mega-) as a prefix for size. While related to 'megohm', the tool is not called a "меггер" in Russian technical language. The standard Russian terms are "мегомметр" (megohmmetr) or "измеритель сопротивления изоляции".
Common Mistakes
- Using 'megger' to mean a standard multimeter. Spelling it as 'meager' (which means scanty). Incorrect verb form: 'meggering' is accepted in technical slang.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a megger?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, within electrical engineering and trades, it is a standard, though somewhat informal, technical term. Formal documents might use 'insulation resistance tester' or 'terohm meter'.
Yes, in technical slang, it is commonly used as a verb (e.g., 'to megger a cable'). This is accepted jargon in the field.
A multimeter measures voltage, current, and resistance at low ranges. A megger applies a high voltage (often 250V to 5000V) to measure extremely high resistance (in megohms) to test insulation integrity, which a standard multimeter cannot do safely or accurately.
It originates from the brand name 'Megger', a British company famous for manufacturing these testers. The name itself is a portmanteau of 'megohm' (the unit of high resistance it measures) and the suffix '-ger' (likely from 'meter' or 'register').