Multimeter test leads - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: owiecc
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2014, 07:48:22 pm
content: We are missing a lot of multimeter test leads in our lab. Genuine Fluke leads are a bit expensive. Are there any replacement leads you could recommend? Safe and with long lifetime. The best would be the type that fits the 4mm banana (Fluke TL76). Maybe you have a good, verified seller on eBay?

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2014, 08:09:32 pm
content: Might want to get in touch with Franky (iloveelectronics), and see what he has or can get. Or take a look at his eBay site (here).In particular, theBrymen sethe carries (silicone & gold plated) might be a less expensive alternative than Fluke for your location. Also, if you contact him directly, he can sell things a bit cheaper by avoiding eBay and their fees.

author: chris0822
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 02, 2014, 08:27:27 pm
content: I can recommend Probemaster test leads. They have few kits with a variety of test lead accessories I've found to be of good quality.http://www.probemaster.com/index.php?cPath=2I'm not sure what the availability would be for you since they are a US company.

author: Lunasix
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2014, 09:03:59 pm
content: Fluke test leads are (in most cases) provided by Pomona. Mouser sell these Pomona Electronics test leads, I've bought many :http://www.mouser.fr/ProductDetail/Pomona/5519A/?qs=%2fha2pyFaduiKUoEFgNmWn8n0cJSrq8DeegwUFdHvIEg%3d

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 02, 2014, 09:46:09 pm
content: If you want one of the best you can get, and not for a lot of money:http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Brymen-Silicone-Gold-Plated-Test-Leads-Probes-Multimeters-CAT-IV-1000V-/171162377470?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27da129cfeIf you want something close but half the price:http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Digitek-Gold-Plated-Test-Leads-Probes-Multimeters-CAT-III-1000V-/171120395118?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27d792036eFranky, iloveelectronics here on the forums, runs that ebay store. I have both of these leads and I can fully recommend both of these leads.I am still getting back to my normal life after some problems and will be making a couple of videos on a multimeter lead shootout. But until then I can say you can't wrong with the leads I have linked to, nor with dealing with Franky

author: acbern
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2014, 09:55:10 pm
content: depends a little on accuracy you need, but if thermal emf is an issue (you do 6.5 digit plus measurements) I would recomend the low emf pomona cables. come with different ends, including isolated (spring loaded) 4mm banana. this way, you can forget about emf issues (provided the multimeter has the appropriate sockets), and they are reasonably priced.

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2014, 12:15:11 am
content: For regular and/or high power measurements, can't go wrong with the leads from Franky. Deal with him outside eBay, as you will save some.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2014, 12:29:35 am
content: Quote from: chris0822 on April 02, 2014, 08:27:27 pmMost of what I have are from Probemaster, and give aon both value and quality.Unfortunately, they don't have a presence in Europe from what I understand. Hirschmann or Mueller would be a lot easier to find from what I've seen, but I'm not sure where they fall vs. others in EU regarding pricing, so I didn't mention them given Franky's prices on the Brymen leads linked.Quote from: LightagesI knew the Brymen leads were good, but not the Digitek's, so good to know for those on tighter budgets.Hope you get things sorted and back on track soon.Still looking forward to your test leadreviews.

author: em132
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2014, 12:39:15 am
content: Quote from: Lightages on April 02, 2014, 09:46:09 pm+1 on these.Very nice leads for the price. Gold plated tips, excellent strain relief, double insulated...Their only downside is that the tips are a bit dull.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 03, 2014, 01:03:51 am
content: Agree with Probe Master support, the leads can connect to both shielded and unshielded banana sockets, Agilent do a good set, lovely flexible leads. Frankys stuff looks good, Probe Master do export. :-)

author: pedro48
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2014, 01:35:00 am
content: Quote from: nanofrog on April 02, 2014, 08:09:32 pmThanks, great tip and done !

author: owiecc
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2014, 07:39:54 am
content: Thank you all for suggestions. I will probably go with Pomona leads as they are easy to buy here.

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2014, 06:06:54 am
content: Just FYI for those that buy retail muti-meter leads...These came from a well-known electronic hobby retailer in Australia, designated Class III 1000V, but I'd keep an eye on your leads. Ok, these are a few years old, retail, and not treated particularly well - but they aren't double-insulated conductors - and have broken off sheer at the boundary with the hard plastic plug / probe in each case.Wet finger anyone?

author: schopi68
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2014, 06:51:01 am
content: Hmmm... quite interesting to see the differences. The Agilent/Keysight 34138A Test Lead Set (for the 34xxxA Multimeters) has its test leads rated up to 15A... but they are not gold plated. I am wondering why they did not gold plate - does anybody know the reasons?

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2014, 07:21:03 am
content: A CAT IV 600V CAT III 1000V meter should have matching leads to avoid accidents, especially with multiple users. Those high safety leads usually cost quite a bit more than plain CAT II/III ones.

author: Yago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2014, 10:24:06 am
content: Quote from: Lightages on April 02, 2014, 09:46:09 pmSorry to hear about problems Light, hope things ease out for you.Look forward to the vid, that and this thread made me ponder about leads and take a look at the UL site.Nice to see the Brymen leads listed(not sure which ones are mine, will check), and for me has taken away some ambiguity(I really didn't know that the leads too were listed, doh!).http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/template/LISEXT/1FRAME/showpage.html?name=PICQ.E204990&ccnshorttitle=Measuring,+Testing+and+Signal-generation+Equipment&objid=1074560747&cfgid=1073741824&version=versionless&parent_id=1073991173&sequence=1

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2014, 11:18:09 am
content: Gossen test leads are pretty good and not that expensive in the US:https://www.valuetronics.com/detail/New-gossen-metrawatt-ks-17-one-z110k.cfmhttps://www.valuetronics.com/detail/New-gossen-metrawatt-ks-17-2-gty3620034p0002.cfm

author: schopi68
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2014, 01:29:02 pm
content: One difference between leads often not shown in the data is if they are using pvc or silicon isolation. Most of the cheap leads are isolated by PVC. Silicone test lead wire has a higher flexibility and a better mechanical/temperature resistance (especially interesting when touching the leads with the soldering iron accidentally).In a long term view i had some PVC isolated leads that i got almost 30 years ago: they were in a drawer the last years. Two monts ago i pulled them out... the isolation was hardened and their surface was coated by a sticky secretion. The silicon isolated test leads that had been stored in the same drawer did not change in any visible way during this time.

author: schopi68
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2014, 01:40:03 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on April 02, 2014, 09:46:09 pmThe first leads listed are looking quite interesting.But i am not sure about the second one - i cannot see any copper in the cut cable picture and no Amps rating for this leads. Would be nice to test.hmmm... quite interesting to compare these both.

author: chickenHeadKnob
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2014, 09:39:21 pm
content: Quote from: schopi68 on September 11, 2014, 01:29:02 pmEvery PVC cable I have owned will show signs of work hardening cross-linking and cracking if they are being flexed sufficiently often, in addition to the aging effects you mention. On the other hand my father gave me Hirschmann pincher-grabbers and silicone covered banana cables 40 years ago and they still work well, although they are scuffed and dirty. They were already used when he gave them to me! Don't know who made the banana cables, they might be Hirschmann also. Those long grabbers are my goto probe for automotive trouble shooting, a real god-send when lying in the foot-well working on dash-board electronics.

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2014, 02:20:12 am
content: If you are in the USA the Pomona 5519A are available for very cheap. Silicone leads, solid build quality (same exact leads as the Fluke TL71, which owns Pomona) and available for under $15.Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk

author: P90
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2014, 02:30:46 am
content: Quote from: schopi68 on September 11, 2014, 01:29:02 pmI've noticed the same thing, I've got some old PVC leads that are now sticky.All my silicone leads are still soft and flexible, even from 20+ years ago...