Fluke 123/124/125 probes question - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: PartialDischarge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2016, 09:22:19 am
content: Im thinking of getting one of these, but it seems that the probe connectors are not bnc standard types and I really need to use my x100 and x1000 probes with it. Are there any adaptors?thanks

author: WackyGerman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2016, 11:17:53 am
content: If you buy the Fluke 123 there are two adaptors included for BNC Connectors as standard . If not look for Fluke BB120 for purchase separately

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 28, 2016, 11:27:46 am
content: "BB120" is for a single adaptor and the cost is about £40.Try searching for a new part number "BB120-II", this is for a pair of adaptors - cost is about £33 for both adaptors...Crazy but true.

author: WackyGerman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2016, 11:41:36 am
content: Yes Fluke spare parts and accessoires are damn expensive . The battery costs 120 Eur , the wall wart 150 Eur and the test leads 230 Eur .

author: WackyGerman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2016, 11:53:34 am
content: Well I just looked at Datatec and the BB 120 II are for the 120B Series officially . But I am sure they will also fit in the older 120 series too

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2016, 08:41:21 pm
content: Quote from: MasterTech on August 28, 2016, 09:22:19 amThe reason they do not use BNC connectors is that the safety rating precludes using them on an oscilloscope with floating inputs. Fluke used to use BNC connectors with a plastic outside body but maybe someone finally decided that they did not meet the safety requirements either.Just wait; soon enough the safety regulations will preclude having an available BNC adapter also.

author: ranchero
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2019, 05:14:59 am
content: I just bought Fluke 124 off eBay - lines on the screen, bad battery, no power adaptor, no probes. After some research it looks like I've overpaid a bitReplacement battery $11, I'm fine with that. Out of few dozens power adapters which I have, I'm sure I will find something to fit, or modify.But probes for $120?? That's biggest joke I've seen in quite while.I haven't received Fluke yet, can anyone confirm that regular multimeter leads will fit, for using it as multimeter?Pair of 60 MHz BNC probes from China - $9 or something like that.Does anyone found cheaper solution for these BNC adaptors? There's no way in the world I would pay $50 for a pair of Fluke BB120 adapters.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2019, 10:26:35 pm
content: Looking at the manual, it doesn't say you can't use other probes, but it doesn't say you can…But basically, as I understand it from skimming the manual, any normal multimeter probes should work for the multimeter functions and for low-frequency scope use. But for high frequency scope use, I don't see any way around the Fluke probes or adapters. ScopeMeters are expensive gadgets intended for a specific market (industrial testing) where cost isn't a huge factor, but safety is. So they're not high-volume devices. As such, the accessories are also low-volume and expensive.The AC adapter may be tricky, too, because (at least in other ScopeMeter models) the jack is deeply recessed for safety. Normal barrel plugs won't come close to reaching inside.Unfortunately for you, the ScopeMeter 120 series uses combined jacks for the scope and multimeter functions. The old 90 series and the newer 190 series use separate banana for the meter and insulated BNC (which work with normal BNC) jacks for the scope.

author: ranchero
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2019, 04:51:07 am
content: Quote from: tooki on February 07, 2019, 10:26:35 pmIt's not about "can I use multimeter leads?" - of course I can, it's about "will they fit?". I will find out in a few days, when I will receive it.I know about that stupid "special power plug". I might end up installing nice REGULAR plug, so REGULAR power adapter will work just fine. I can buy cheap replacement AC adapter with correct plug, but don't see reason to spend $15-$20 for another power adapter, as I already have billion of themYes, I know there are combined meter/scope jacks. I hope regular multimeter leads will fit, they will be good enough for multimeter and low frequency scope signal - that would cover 99.999999% of my needsThanks for reply.

author: mahi
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2019, 01:37:51 pm
content: Quote from: ranchero on February 08, 2019, 04:51:07 amYes, multimeter leads can be used on the oscilloscope inputs of the Fluke 12x (assuming you do not have high frequency demands). However, the banana sockets are recessed quite deep (the metal bus is about 1 cm away from the top). Cheap and compact multimeters sometimes have leads with very short banana plugs. You may find these not making good contact or none at all. Normal leads have banana plugs of about 2 cm tall and will work without issues.QuoteBut your run of the mill adapter is not properly isolated whereas the original Fluke adapter has a CAT III 600 V rating. The isolation of the power supply may be of no importance if you use it only to charge the batteries while not in use but keep in mind that the Fluke 12x COM terminal is connected directly to the charging socket negative pin. This explains why the charging socket is recessed that far.PS: Remember, center negative!

author: alm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2019, 10:34:19 am
content: Quote from: ranchero on February 07, 2019, 05:14:59 amAre those $9 probes designed for use with a floating reference, where the shell may very well be at +600V relative to earth? This is a very different use than bench scopes where the shell should be safely connected to earth at all times, which makes them safe to touch. No such luxury in a floating scope, so you have to isolate the user just as much from the reference lead as from the signal lead. With a proper adapter, probes designed for floating measurements, like the Multi Contact ISOProbe series, might work. Don't count on them being much cheaper than $120, never mind the costs of the adapters. Anything with a metal BNC shell would be unsafe to use near circuits above say 30 V.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2019, 12:27:41 am
content: Quote from: ranchero on February 08, 2019, 04:51:07 amWith this kind of dickish reply, you’re not welcome. Multimeter leads being able to fit is a prerequisite to being able to use them.

author: ranchero
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2019, 01:37:44 am
content: Quote from: mahi on February 08, 2019, 01:37:51 pmThanks for info, good to hear that banana leads are same size just longer.Regarding 600V rating.So many people are concerned about 600V rating, it's unbelievable. I never ever in my life worked on anything close to this voltage, and never ever will be.However in my lifetime I've accidentally touched 120V and 240V live wires with bare hands waaaay more than once and while it wasn't particularly pleasant experience, as you see I'm still able to write this.I can and do care about my safety myself and don't need Fluke's help me in that.

author: ranchero
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2019, 01:49:04 am
content: Quote from: tooki on February 10, 2019, 12:27:41 amI'm sorry that I've disappointed you by having my own opinion and commenting your reply.

author: mahi
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2019, 08:26:11 am
content: Quote from: ranchero on February 13, 2019, 01:37:44 amThat may be true but fact is that these meters were designed for industrial applications where customersdocare about these things. No one here cares what leads, wall wart or power plug you use but it is a bit weird to blame Fluke ('stupid' power plug, 'biggest joke' probes) just becauseyourapplications don't need it...