The Basics: wires, test leads, probes and components - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: UnknownVertigo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2014, 08:11:09 pm
content: To all the folks who know of US based distributors...I'm looking for advice on quality made supplies. Shopping Amazon yields products seemingly meant for bulk sales with mixed reviews.I'm hoping to find good quality shielding on the wires and leads...nothing too ridged. I'd like for the clips to feel solid and not have loose connections at the wire.On the probe side...I'd like a nice 200mhz to pair with an old Tektronix 475. More specifically any differential active probes recommended?Joes knows Electronic is a source for components in Amazon. Seems to get consistent high reviews. Anyone with experience using willing to comment?Thanks!Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2014, 11:19:51 pm
content: probemaster has some good products.what do you mean by "clips"? like, alligator clips?your post sort of jumps around a bit, I'm guessing we're talking exclusively about oscilloscope accessories?

author: UnknownVertigo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 01:30:19 am
content: I caught Dave's episode on setting up an electronics workbench and for lack of a better way to ask I was referring to the portion where Dave mentioned that we'll need lots of 'wire' and well as a stock of components like resistors, capacitor, transistors etc.I have an Agilent scope which came with probes...I should be good there.I've ordered a couple E3616a power supplies off Ebay and know I'll need banana to xxx wires to power misc types of components.I've got an Agilent bench MM with the basic probes but also figure it never hurts to have more test leads for this too.So I guess I kinda need to jump around a bit cause I'm just stocking up on things I don't have a specific use for yet but don't wanna have to stop a project in middle later on cause I'm missing.I could practice my soldering skills and make my own...but the question still applies. Who makes quality wire? Who makes quality clips and connectors? Whats recommended for stocking up on the caps, resistors, transistors etc? Mouser...Digikey...others?Hope that clarifies.

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 03:23:31 am
content: It does clarify a lot, thanks.I'm a huge fan of building your own cabling after you get a basic CATIII-1kV + CAT IV 600V probe kit because unless you terminate correctly, you cannot be sure that you can hold your DIY cabling with HV (wrt electronics). I'd recommend the Probemaster 9104. Their other DMM-type cabling is rather expensive and I don't find it's worth it.Because I'm a weenie, for "power" probe cabling, (tend to be things with banana plugs on one or both ends), I'm a big fan of Pomona 6733 (it's 18awg silicone jacketed tinned copper) and of course the addition of appropriately rated plugs. You can grab stackable bananas, minigrabbers, alligators, etc. For mechanical strength, many items are crimped rather than soldered, but often come in both varieties.I'd be willing to say that almost everything digikey/newark and the other huge distributors carry is a minimum of "good quality", with many items surpassing it.I think Pomona is the default for "cheap and decent quality", and it's easily found. Newark's Multicomp offers excellent value if you're not looking for very specific features. Too many companies to list who produce good products. A short list of some I like are: Hirschmann, Emerson, Mueller, Amphenol, TE Connectivity, Hirose, Samtec, Belden, Molex, and obviously Multicomp and Pomona.For components: I'd suggest grabbing these kits, minus the IDCC pack:http://www.futurlec.com/ValuePacks.shtmlThey're not the best of quality but they're good enough to start with. Stocking up on high quality electrolytic caps is sort of meh as they do have a limited lifespan and for active components, you'll never know what you'll need and you'll never be able to keep some pieces of every item out there with uniqueish characteristics. You can however grab kits for the basics and just buy anything specific you need on top of it. Hopefully, you'll have some kind of electronics store locally. Even if you don't, being in the US, ordering from the large distributors is easy and shipping is(should be) cheap.

author: Marc M.
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 08:17:04 am
content: I second using Pomona products and assembling your own. Making your own allows you to make them shorter/longer than standard leads. I recently bought wire, banana plugs, and alligator clips to make up a bunch of new leads to replace the leads I made up in the early 80's (insulation was deteriorated pretty badly). I purchased Pomona products for all components thru Mouser. Much to my surprise, everything was still made here in the US. I also agree that the silicone test lead wire is the way to go. It's very flexible, less prone to tangle, and it's made with finely stranded wire to reduce flex induced breakage. AFAIK, Pomona makes the test leads for Fluke. I just purchased a replacement set of Fluke silicone test leads (TL-222) and the wire used in those appears to be identical to the Pomona 6733 wire purchased thru Mouser.Mouser # Pomona # Desc. Cost565-2240-2 2240-2 Alligator Clip w/Boot - Red $8.10 for 10565-2240-0 2240-0 Alligator Clip w/Boot - Black $8.40 for 10565-1825-0 2240-0 Banana Plug/Jack - Black $17.50 for 10565-2240-2 2240-2 Banana Plug/Jack - Red $17.50 for 10565-6733-0 6733-0 Silicone Test Lead Wire - Black $22.10 for 50'565-6733-2 6733-2 Silicone Test Lead Wire - Red $22.10 for 50'=========Total : $95.70A bit pricey compared to the Asian alternatives, but you'll end up with high quality leads in just the right lengths for you needs that should last at least a decade if taken care of. One thing I've learned in my close to 50 years, you get what you pay for (certain exclusions such as audiophool accessories apply).

author: UnknownVertigo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 07:23:02 pm
content: Wow, Fantastic information guys! These are exactly the kind of tips I was hoping for; thank you so much. I do like the idea of US made. It's also quite helpful to know that Pomona is like what is found with the Fluke kits. I have the 87V and appreciate the flexibility and feel of the wires and connectors.Gonna place a few orders this evening! All the best guys. Thanks again.