Motwane is not merely an engineering enterprise—it is a century-old institution built on precision, innovation, and trust. Established in 1909 by Gianchand Motwane, the brand has long stood as a symbol of India’s technological advancement in electrical testing and measuring equipment. Over the decades, it has evolved into a powerhouse at the confluence of engineering excellence and digital transformation. Today, Motwane delivers cutting-edge electrical test and measurement solutions while spearheading IoT innovation through platforms such as MOT-WARE, Motwane AI Analytics, IoTx, and IoXn.
Yet its vision extends further. The company’s portfolio encompasses smart street-lighting, telemetrics, and access control systems, each designed with an uncompromising focus on reliability, efficiency, and intuitive design. With research and development at its very core, Motwane relentlessly redefines performance benchmarks while upholding transparency and integrity in every solution. Its reach now spans more than 50 countries, powering mission-critical sectors including energy, railways, defence, oil and gas, and manufacturing. Guided by values of curiosity, collaboration, and authenticity, Motwane does more than anticipate the future, it engineers it.
At ETES 2025, hosted by Electrical Mirror, The Interview World engaged in an exclusive conversation with Pankaj Gaikwad, Vice President – Strategy, Tech & International, Motwane Manufacturing Company Pvt. Ltd. In this dialogue, he dissected the surge in demand for electrical testing and measuring equipment, traced the latest trends reshaping insulation testing, and examined how rising safety consciousness among manufacturers is accelerating the adoption of international testing standards. He also shed light on Motwane’s integrated facilities for transformer testing.
The following key insights capture the essence of this powerful exchange.
Q: What factors are driving the rising demand for electrical test and measurement equipment in the market?
A: Technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace. Substation and transmission line ratings, once limited to 132 kV, now extend to 220 kV, 400 kV, 765 kV, and even beyond. The industry’s requirements have shifted as well. Earlier, utilities demanded vast connected equipment. Today, the demand is for battery-connected systems. Meanwhile, thermal power steadily gives way to renewable energy. These sweeping changes across the globe are redefining not only power systems but also the specifications and demand for testing and measuring equipment.
Consider the most fundamental device in the power sector: the insulation tester. Decades ago, it relied on hand-cranking generators. Later came analog versions with manual settings, needle indicators, and dial-based readings. The 1980s ushered in digital technology, transforming analog displays into precise digital readings. Yet, the appetite for innovation did not stop. Users sought more. They wanted insulation testers capable of measuring polarization index, dielectric absorption ratio, step voltage, breakdown voltage, and much more, all integrated into a single device.
By the 2000s, PC connectivity became a defining feature. Engineers wanted results transferred directly to their computers. Insulation testers were now equipped with RS232, RS485, Ethernet, and USB ports. But the bar kept rising. Today, the demand has moved beyond PC integration. Users want Bluetooth-enabled, Wi-Fi-connected devices with QR code access and, most importantly, seamless cloud connectivity. Cloud-enabled insulation testers offer unprecedented advantages: real-time data sharing, centralized monitoring, and powerful analytics.
This technological leap is reshaping the entire testing and measurement landscape worldwide. Connectivity has become the defining expectation. Moreover, industries are under relentless pressure to minimize shutdown times. Every hour saved translates into significant operational savings for both plants and utilities. The solution lies in multiplexing, housing multiple test instruments in a single mobile van. When these instruments are cloud-connected, expert teams can guide field operators in real time from centralized locations. This innovation not only reduces shutdown durations but also drives substantial OPEX savings.
In short, the evolution of power infrastructure is inseparable from the evolution of test equipment. From hand-cranked testers to cloud-enabled systems, the trajectory is clear: more functionality, more connectivity, and more efficiency.
Q: What emerging trends and evolving demands are shaping the insulation testing market today?
A: The market for insulation testers has shifted dramatically, driven by evolving user expectations. Earlier, the 1 kV tester dominated demand, followed by a gradual shift toward 5 kV. Today, users increasingly request 10 kV models, with some pushing further to 15 kV. Yet, the 5 kV tester continues to remain the most sought after.
Beyond voltage, customers now expect multi-parameter capabilities. They demand precise measurement of insulation resistance, polarization index, dielectric absorption ratio, and resistance ranges extending up to 50 teraohms. In practice, insulation resistance above 1 teraohm is rarely encountered in substations. Still, users prefer instruments calibrated up to 50 teraohms, as this ensures greater accuracy when measuring at the 1 teraohm level.
The short-circuit current specification has also evolved. Users increasingly expect testers to deliver 6 milliamperes. At the same time, they demand universal power supply compatibility, with equipment that operates seamlessly between 110 volts and 230 volts. This flexibility ensures that the same instrument can be deployed anywhere in the world.
Connectivity has become another decisive factor. Customers require Bluetooth integration, mobile app compatibility for seamless data collection, and USB ports for reliable transfer. The expectation is clear: data must be instantly accessible and portable.
Battery design has also undergone a paradigm shift. Previously, testers relied on programmed batteries, which required sending the entire instrument back to the manufacturer for replacement. Today, users reject such limitations. They demand rechargeable, easily replaceable batteries that can be sourced directly from the market, including from B2B portals like Amazon. Convenience, autonomy, and accessibility define this new standard.
In essence, the latest demands in insulation testers reflect a clear trend: higher voltages, broader parameter measurement, global usability, smart connectivity, and user-controlled maintenance. These features are no longer luxuries—they are expectations.
Q: How is the growing safety awareness among manufacturers influencing their adoption of international standards in testing electrical equipment?
A: Awareness around safety and EMI/EMC compliance is rising rapidly, and customers now insist that products meet IEC 61010 and IEC 61326 standards. A similar evolution is reshaping oil BDV testers. Earlier, the industry relied on analog models with manual settings. Later, semi-automatic systems with digital displays and motorized drives gained popularity.
Today, the expectations have escalated dramatically. Users demand oil BDV testers that come pre-programmed with all international standards. Once a standard is selected, parameters such as voltage rise rate, stand time, and stirring time must be adjusted automatically. Moreover, standards evolve, and customers now expect the latest version—IEC 60156:2018, which has already been revised twice—to be embedded in the equipment.
The focus has also shifted to operational efficiency and safety. Customers want oil drain features to prevent spillage on the surface. As insulating oils transition from mineral to ester and now to silicone oil, testers must accommodate all types. Traditional acrylic or polyurethane oil cups fail with silicone oils, as they tend to melt. Therefore, users now demand special-grade materials that remain inert and compatible with these advanced oils.
Precision and cleanliness are equally critical. Earlier, adjusting electrode gaps required spanners, which often introduced dust or burrs into the oil. The new requirement is a vernier-type gap setting, eliminating external interference and ensuring greater protection of the oil sample.
Functionality expectations are also expanding. Measuring only dielectric strength is no longer sufficient. Customers now require simultaneous temperature measurement, correlating dielectric strength with oil temperature. Real-time breakdown monitoring, with sensing on both the primary and secondary sides, has also become an essential demand. Finally, the latest customer expectation includes QR code integration, adding convenience for traceability and data management.
Q: What mobile or integrated facilities does your organization offer for transformer testing?
A: Transformer testing demands a comprehensive set of measurements: insulation resistance, winding resistance, ratio measurement, oil BDV, and tangent delta (M tan δ). Traditionally, these tests required separate setups and reports. Now, advanced systems integrate all these functions. Once the connection is established, the equipment executes every test sequentially and generates a unified report.
This integrated approach transforms efficiency. A single mobile lab can move seamlessly from one substation to another, covering multiple sites without redundant effort. Moreover, cloud connectivity introduces fleet-level monitoring. With this capability, utilities managing hundreds of transformers can instantly identify those in critical condition. For example, if four out of a fleet of 100 enter the danger zone, experts can be deployed specifically to service those four, while avoiding unnecessary shutdowns of the remaining 96.
The return on investment from such precision is unmistakable. By preventing widespread downtime, optimizing manpower deployment, and centralizing test data, this facility delivers not just operational savings but also strategic value.
