Our History

The Hubbell High Voltage test Business (HHVTB) has as its foundation the proud legacies of some of the world’s most renowned pioneers in electrical apparatus and high voltage testing. Part of Hubbell Inc., the HHVTB was established by a series of acquisitions in the United States and Europe during the 1990’s.  However, its history extends over 100 years earlier to a time when mainstream electricity infrastructure was being installed on these two continents for the very first time.

Harvey Hubbell began his company in Bridgeport, CT in 1891 abs shortly after patented the “pull chain” light bulb socket and the “separable plug” wall outlet. These inventions became the basis for more than a century of leadership in wiring devices, lighting, and transmission & distribution equipment.

During the period that Hubbell continued its growth and expansion, other entrepreneurs were also pioneering new technology to assist in the safe distribution of electrical power. The companies, products and brands these men conceived and built exist today as the Hubbell High Voltage Test Business:

• Haefely Test AG was founded in 1904 by Emil Haefely in Basel, Switzerland. Originally based on a patented design for manufacturing resin-impregnated paper insulators, the company grew quickly and expanded into high voltage testing in 1922. Over the years Haefely evolved to become a specialist in the fabrication of electrical apparatus, bushings, capacitors, insulation technology and eventually high voltage and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) test equipment.
• Tettex Instruments was founded by Paul Muller in 1945. Tettex produces high precision measuring and diagnostic instruments in the field of insulation and transformer measurements.
• In the early 1960’s, F.C. Robinson and Partners (later known as Robinson Instruments) developed the first partial discharge detector under license from the Electrical Research Association. In 1978, Robinson pioneered the use of pulse discrimination technology which is still the industry standard for cable testing to this day. Robinson Instruments technology and expertise us in every DDX series partial discharge detector we sell.
• Hipotronics, Inc. was founded in 1962 by Stanley Peschel in Brewster, NY. Peschel was awarded over 20 US and International patents including AC series resonant technology, the ultra-high voltage DC generator and the Peschel variable regulating transformer, all of which are still in use today. Hipotronics specializes in large AC and DC systems for testing power cable and other distribution apparatus, but also in field portable test equipment and cable fault locators for utility crews.

Today the Hubbell High Voltage Test Business operates manufacturing facilities and sales/service offices on three continents. Our worldwide installed base of test equipment is unmatched by any supplier, and the reputations of our brands speak for themselves.

Put our more than 120 years of product innovations and expertise to the test.