HWA-33X Universal-Joint High Voltage Detector

HASEGAWA HWA-33X is a universal-joint voltage detector with proximity warning for AC 11 kV – 33 kV. It gives staged warnings as you approach a live conductor, before contact is made, and once the contact electrode touches the conductor it indicates the presence of voltage unambiguously with continuous light and sound. It fits a common insulating stick via a universal joint. According to the available product data it conforms to IEC 61243-1.

It is designed for medium-voltage distribution crews, contractors maintaining switchgear and compact substations, and the electrical maintenance teams of industrial sites. The HWA-33X is made in Japan and supplied as a genuine HASEGAWA product by HASEGAWA Türkiye, the official distributor in Türkiye.

How does a proximity-warning detector work?

When switched on, the green standby LED lights and switches itself off after approximately 1 minute. The indications are calibrated to a nominal voltage of 11 kV:

• Stage 1: At approximately 60 cm ± 10 cm from the live part, the first red LED starts flashing and an audible signal repeats once per second.
• Stage 2: When the distance drops to 30 cm ± 10 cm, the second LED is added and the signal repeats twice per second.
• Contact: When the contact electrode touches the conductor, all three red LEDs light continuously with a continuous tone. The threshold voltage for this indication is 3.3 kV – 4.95 kV.
• Fault: If the three red LEDs and the green LED light together, the instrument has an abnormality; do not continue testing.

The sound level is at least 70 dB. The tip can be exchanged for hook, straight and Y-type electrodes, giving proper contact on busbars, cable terminations or overhead line conductors.

HWA-33X or HWA-33P?

	HWA-33X	HWA-33P
Operating voltage (AC)	11 kV – 33 kV	1 kV – 35 kV
Detection principle	2-stage proximity warning + contact indication	4 stages (1 kV – 15 kV – 25 kV – 35 kV)
Sound level	At least 70 dB	At least 70 dB
Water resistance	IPX4 equivalent	Not stated in the data sheet
Weight	Approx. 350 g (excluding contact electrode)	Approx. 1.2 kg (including insulating stick)
Battery	2 × AAA (LR03)	2 × AAA (LR03)

If you want distance-based early warning, the HWA-33X is the better fit; if you need a wider voltage range and a set supplied with its own stick, choose the HWA-33P. Systems at 6.3 kV, 10.5 kV and 34.5 kV fall outside the HWA-33X range; for these levels the HST-35V is also worth considering.

Technical specifications

• Operating voltage: AC 11 kV – 33 kV, 50/60 Hz
• Climatic category N: −25 °C … +55 °C, 20 % – 96 % relative humidity
• Water resistance: IPX4 equivalent; indicator group III
• Continuous operation: approx. 3 hours
• Battery: 2 × AAA alkaline (LR03, 1.5 V)
• Weight: approx. 350 g (excluding contact electrode)
• Accessory: storage case

Limits of use and safety

The proximity warning is advance notice only; the absence of voltage may be concluded only from a check made with the contact electrode. The warning distances are given for a nominal voltage of 11 kV and may differ at other voltage levels and conductor arrangements. Before every use, check the battery level and indicators with the built-in operation test and, where possible, prove the detector on a known live source or with a voltage detector tester. Do not use rechargeable batteries. Keep the stick dry and clean, and wear HV gloves and suitable PPE. Remember that the detector's proximity warning does not replace a personal hot-line proximity alarm.

How this product fits into a field-crew kit with the HXW-6W wrist alarm, the HXA helmet alarm and our voltage detectors is explained in Voltage Safety Kit for Field Crews.

Why buy from HASEGAWA Türkiye?

• Application-specific advice on choosing the right tip electrode for your 11 kV – 33 kV installation
• An impartial comparison of the HWA-33X, HWA-33P and HST-35V against your network voltage
• Quotations for spare tips and detector testers through the same channel