Kyoritsu is a Japanese brand widely recognised for its electrical testing and measuring instruments. The company specialises in producing multimeters, clamp meters, insulation testers, earth testers, voltage testers, power-quality analyzers, and other equipment essential for electricians, electrical engineers, technicians, contractors, and industrial professionals. The brand is operated by Kyoritsu Electrical Instruments Works, Ltd., a manufacturer with roots dating back to 1940.1

Note: “Kyoritsu” is a common name among Japanese corporations and is used by several unrelated entities. This article specifically concerns Kyoritsu Electrical Instruments Works, which is commonly associated with the KYORITSU / KEW brand of electrical test equipment.

The company’s official history records that founder Takeo Kuramoto established the Kyoritsu Electronic Research Institute in 1940, initiating the manufacture of electrical measuring instruments. The business was formally incorporated in 1950 as Kyoritsu Electrical Instruments Works, Ltd.1

Foundation and early development

Kyoritsu’s origins are deeply tied to the early growth of Japan’s electrical-instrument industry. In 1940, Takeo Kuramoto founded the Kyoritsu Electronic Research Institute and began producing electrical measuring instruments. After the Second World War, the company resumed operations in 1947, initially focusing on tester repair work.1

In 1950, the organisation was incorporated under its current name, Kyoritsu Electrical Instruments Works, Ltd. The following year, the company began developing overseas sales channels and produced English-language catalogs to serve international customers.1

A notable early success in the global market was the introduction of the TK-30 pocket-size tester in 1955. This product achieved sales not only in Japan but also in key markets such as Canada, the United States, and Europe.1

Expansion of measurement technology

Over subsequent decades, Kyoritsu expanded its capabilities from basic testers into a comprehensive range of professional electrical measurement equipment. The company’s historical product development includes:

• Analog and digital multimeters
• Clamp-type meters
• Insulation resistance testers
• Earth/ground resistance testers
• Voltage testers
• Power meters
• Power-quality analyzers
• Leakage-current measurement equipment
• Installation testers
• Portable appliance testers
• Data loggers
• Phase indicators
• Illuminometers

Historical materials from the company describe electrical measurement technology as its core competence, emphasising its role in supporting broader industrial and technological development.2

Kyoritsu’s product range is primarily targeted at professional and industrial electrical measurement rather than general consumer electronics.

1. Digital multimeters

Kyoritsu produces digital multimeters designed for measuring parameters such as voltage, current, resistance, and continuity. These instruments are standard tools for electrical troubleshooting, maintenance, and installation work.

2. Clamp meters

Clamp meters represent one of Kyoritsu’s most important product categories. They allow technicians to measure current by clamping around a conductor, thereby reducing the need to disconnect the circuit. The company has developed both conventional clamp meters and specialised models for applications such as leakage current and power measurement. Historical lineup examples include the KEW 2007R, KEW 2117R, KEW 2200, and KEW 2060BT.2

3. Insulation testers

Kyoritsu manufactures insulation resistance testers used to evaluate the condition of electrical insulation in cables, motors, equipment, and installations. Its portfolio includes traditional analog instruments as well as modern digital and Bluetooth-enabled models, such as the KEW 3441BT and higher-voltage insulation-testing instruments.2

4. Earth/ground testers

Earth testers are critical for measuring grounding-system resistance and related electrical characteristics in installation, safety inspection, and maintenance contexts. Kyoritsu’s range includes simplified earth testers like the KEW 4300, available in Bluetooth-enabled versions, alongside more advanced earth-testing equipment.2

5. Installation testers

The company develops multifunction installation testers capable of performing multiple electrical safety and installation checks. Examples include the KEW 6516/6516BT and KEW 6514BT. The KEW 6514BT received a Small and Medium Enterprise Agency Commissioner’s Award at the 2022 JECA Fair, while the KEW 6041BT received a Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry award at the 2023 JECA Fair.2

6. Power measurement and power quality

For industrial and engineering applications, Kyoritsu produces power meters, power-quality analyzers, and logging equipment. Historical examples include the KEW 6305 Power Meter, KEW 6315 Power Quality Analyzer, and KEW 5050 Ior Logger.2

7. Socket and appliance testers

Another distinctive category comprises Kyoritsu’s intelligent socket testers and portable appliance testing equipment. Models such as the KEW 4500, KEW 4505/4505BT, and KEW 6205/6206 were introduced as part of the company’s expansion into installation and electrical-safety testing.2

Kyoritsu’s stated philosophy places significant emphasis on customer satisfaction, product quality, and electrical measurement technology. The company describes its measurement products as a technological foundation for industries and prioritises long-term relationships with customers and distributors.2

This approach results in a product strategy centred on:

• Measurement accuracy
• Electrical safety
• Durability
• Professional usability
• Portable instrumentation
• Compliance with applicable testing requirements
• Increasing use of digital interfaces and connectivity
• Development of equipment for modern electrical infrastructure

In recent generations, Kyoritsu has incorporated features such as Bluetooth communication, enabling measurement data transfer to compatible devices and supporting more efficient inspection and documentation workflows. Examples include the KEW 3441BT, KEW 4300BT, KEW 2060BT, and KEW 4105DLBT-H.2

Kyoritsu began targeting international markets relatively early in its history. In 1951, it created an English catalog and started developing overseas sales channels. By 1955, its TK-30 tester was already being sold in Canada, the United States, and Europe.1

The company subsequently established overseas manufacturing and sales operations. Its corporate history records the establishment of Kew (Thailand) Ltd. and later overseas offices and subsidiaries. Notably, Kyoritsu established Kyoritsu Instruments Asia Pte Ltd. in Singapore in 2015, strengthening its presence in the region.3 The international focus is reflected in the company’s product documentation, distributor network, and multilingual websites.

The name KYORITSU is strongly associated with professional electrical test equipment. Many of its products use the KEW model designation—for example:

• KEW 1019R
• KEW 2200
• KEW 4300
• KEW 4505
• KEW 6041BT
• KEW 6514BT
• KEW 6315

Consequently, electrical professionals may refer to the products simply as “Kyoritsu,” “KEW,” or “Kyoritsu KEW.”

The brand’s identity is generally more engineering- and professional-oriented than consumer-electronics-oriented. Its products are designed primarily as working instruments for electricians, electrical contractors, maintenance engineers, testing personnel, and industrial users.

A simplified timeline of Kyoritsu’s development is as follows:

1940 — Takeo Kuramoto establishes Kyoritsu Electronic Research Institute and begins manufacturing electrical measuring instruments.1

1947 — Business restarts after the war, including tester repair activities.1

1950 — Kyoritsu Electrical Instruments Works, Ltd. is incorporated.1

1951 — English-language catalog and overseas sales development begin.1

1955 — Pocket-size TK-30 tester enters international markets.1

1960s–1980s — Kyoritsu expands its measurement technologies and product range, including clamp meters and other specialized instruments.3

1987 — Kew (Thailand) Ltd. is established, and manufacturing operations are expanded overseas.3

2010s — The portfolio increasingly incorporates digital instruments, specialized testers, and Bluetooth connectivity.2

2015 — Kyoritsu Instruments Asia Pte Ltd. is established in Singapore; Kew Thailand’s second factory is also completed.3

2020 — Kyoritsu celebrates its 80th anniversary.2

2022–2025 — Several newer testing products receive awards at Japanese electrical-industry exhibitions and competitions, including the KEW 6514BT, KEW 6041BT, KEW 4555BT, and KEW 8331.1

Kyoritsu occupies a recognizable position in the professional test-and-measurement market. Its products are particularly relevant to:

• Electrical contractors
• Electricians
• Building-services engineers
• Industrial maintenance teams
• Electrical inspection companies
• Factory engineers
• Power and energy technicians
• Instrumentation technicians
• Solar/PV installation professionals
• Electrical safety inspectors

Rather than concentrating on a single instrument category, Kyoritsu covers a broad portion of the electrical-testing workflow—from basic voltage/current measurements through insulation and earth testing to power-quality analysis and installation verification.

Kyoritsu’s Japanese heritage is an important part of its brand positioning. The company traces its manufacturing history to 1940 and presents itself as a Japanese manufacturer focused on electrical measurement technology.1 Its long history is also reflected in the evolution of its product range: the company began with relatively simple testers and measuring instruments and subsequently developed increasingly specialized digital and connected equipment.

It is important not to confuse this Kyoritsu with other Japanese companies using the same name.

For example, Kyoritsu Chemical & Co., Ltd. was founded in 1957 and specializes in advanced adhesives, functional resins, and chemical technologies for electronics and other industries.4

There is also Kyoritsu Electric Corporation, founded in 1959 in Shizuoka, which develops factory-automation systems, testing systems, and measurement equipment.5

Likewise, Kyoritsu Corporation operates in the musical-instrument distribution industry in Japan.6

Therefore, when discussing electrical handheld test equipment under the KYORITSU / KEW name, the relevant company is Kyoritsu Electrical Instruments Works, Ltd.

The brand’s strongest differentiator is its long specialization in electrical measurement. Rather than being a general electronics company that happens to sell meters, Kyoritsu has built its identity around test and measurement since its foundation.

Its product history demonstrates a progression from basic testers to sophisticated equipment incorporating:

Analog measurement → digital measurement → specialized testing → data logging → Bluetooth-connected measurement → multifunction electrical testing.2

This makes Kyoritsu particularly recognizable among professionals who require dedicated electrical-testing instruments.

For the most authoritative information, product specifications, manuals, corporate history, and current product releases, the company’s official website serves as the primary reference:

• Kyoritsu official website: kew-ltd.co.jp
• Kyoritsu company history: kew-ltd.co.jp

Kyoritsu is a Japanese electrical test-and-measurement brand with roots dating to 1940. Founded by Takeo Kuramoto, it began with electrical measuring instruments and developed into an international manufacturer of professional test equipment. Its portfolio now encompasses multimeters, clamp meters, insulation testers, earth testers, voltage testers, installation testers, power meters, power-quality analyzers, loggers, and specialized electrical-safety equipment.1

The brand’s core identity can be summarized as Japanese electrical measurement expertise, professional-grade testing equipment, and a long-term focus on reliability and customer-oriented engineering. Its products are primarily intended for professionals working with electrical installations, industrial equipment, maintenance, and safety testing.

1. History｜KYORITSU
2. Kyoritsu Electric Instrument Co., Ltd. / 80th anniversary website
3. Corporate Data & History
4. Corporate profile | Corporate information | Kyoritsu Chemical & Co., Ltd.
5. About Us｜Kyoritsu Electric Corporation
6. COMPANY PROFILE