Replacing Brymen 869s Multimeter Leads - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: djd_oz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2021, 06:14:34 am
content: I bought a Brymen 869s, however, I'm not liking the leads that it comes with, i.e. it's a little too thick for measuring smaller components.Is this replacable with any other lead or does it have to meet certain specifications?

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2021, 07:35:56 am
content: Great meter, Congrats!It’s an open architecture that enables you to choose from a vast number of other test leads. And as you add other leads you can compare the results when making measurements. Differences are likely to be small on the measured values so you can choose based on AWG, length, lead material/pliability, probe tips, tip accessories, or whatever you need/prefer.Edit: I did some tests on a bunch of test leads after posting this ^^ ..... I used 4 wire Kelvin probes to test one test lead a time. I found that for various leads of different lengths, AWGs, connector and probe types, materials, etc. the resistance could be anywhere in the range of approximately 20-140 milliohms (typically about 30-50 milliohms). For two test leads you would have to multiply the results by 2. The differences are probably not going to have a big impact on most measurements but thought I'd mention it.

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2021, 11:57:56 am
content: I have never liked regular multimeter probes much for electronics work, not even the "high quality" ones with silicone mantle etc.A bunch of years I had an idea. I took regular 2 conducter thin "loudspeaker" cable (with PVC mantle), put 2 banana plugs on on side, and on the other side I soldered two Hirschmann 2mm banana plugs.But before that, I drilled a concetric hole in each of the Hirchmann plugs and soldered tips of needles into them.These are the best probes I've ever had.- The short (60cm) cables are long enough for desk work.- Over about half the lenth the wires are still connected, so half the wirring clutting your desk.- The shap needles bite into solder and make good contact.- The sharp needles can be put though a mantle of a wire or in between the strands of stranded wires.- You can stick the small probes into a breadboard and they just stay there.- You can use the clamps designed for the 2mm banana plugs.- The hardened steel needle tips stay sharp much longer than other probe tips.

author: wizard69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2021, 01:00:10 am
content: You can use any multimeter lead set you might want. All the leads need to do is to fit the banana plug jacks in the meter. You can look at sets from a number of different manufactures.Now I do suggest getting a set of test leads designed for electronics, the set for the various attachments. However don't stop there. Jumper leads, sometimes called patch cords are also very useful and are suggested. I'd suggest looking on the web sites for one of the test lead manufactures and downloading their catalogs. There are a lot of options that don't come as part of the test kits, be they attachments or special cords assemblies.You didn't mention what you are doing with the meter but if you are doing repair it may pay to buy test lead wire or patch cords to make up test harnesses. Doing so can ave a lot of screwing around in the repair business. Just make sure each harness is identified. IF you buy extra long patch cord you can cut them in half with proper banana plus on one end each for plugging into meters and test equipment. The free end would then be wired into the unit that plugs into the device under test.Companies with nice test lead sets:PonomaFlukeProbemasterKeysightI'm sure there are others but these come to mind off the top of my head. I'm not sure who makes the kits that Keysight and Fluke supply.As far as specifications, if you want to be completely compliant the test leads should meet the same CAT ratings as the meter. Often though this might not make sense; for example logic level work does not require a 600 volt or higher rating with the required shrouding. Fit the leads to the device under test. In some cases you also need to be worried about the meters max current range which can mean heavier wire in the leads. Hopefully you can see where wire to probe logic level points benefits for being light and flexible and would not be suitable for current measurements of tens of amps.Quote from: djd_oz on January 30, 2021, 06:14:34 am

author: audiotubes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2021, 09:53:55 pm
content: I bought a set of Amprobe (Beha Amprobe) leads with long thin alligator clips and they're much better than the leads that came with my Siglent DMM. For the price (16,5 euros) I think they're really good.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2021, 01:21:50 am
content: Which part is too thick? The ends of the tips? You might try something like the Fluke TP88A needle tips that will slide on end of many probes. Other companies make a version, just have a look at the general idea:https://www.ebay.com/itm/2pair-Genuine-Fluke-TP88-Rigid-Back-Probe-Pins-Test-Pin-Sharp-Needle-Automotive/154316867988?hash=item23ee008994:g:8goAAOSw1x9gGg-L

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2021, 02:00:50 pm
content: Quote from: djd_oz on January 30, 2021, 06:14:34 amAny standard banana plug leads will work.What specifically are you after:thinprobes to get into tiny openings (like when probing small connectors), orsharpprobes that won’t slip off a small component lead?My daily-driver probes are the Probemaster 8000 series, which have a standard thickness probe tip (so it’s sturdy), but that is sharpened to a needle like point, so they don’t slip off. I highly recommend these. (They also make lots of accessory attachments for them.)Bear in mind that that there is no one-size-fits-all probe or test lead. That’s why they make gazillions of types, and I recommend getting some. For example, I love micrograbber leads. It’s often super handy to use a micrograbber to connect the black to ground, then use the regular red probe to measure voltages with just one hand.Quote from: wizard69 on February 01, 2021, 01:00:10 amFluke owns Pomona, which is why almost all Fluke probes and leads also exist under the Pomona brand. (I would also assume that this definitely excludes Pomona as the supplier to Keysight!)That said, I find Probemaster probes to be nicer than Fluke/Pomona or Keysight.

author: D6123
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2021, 12:51:52 pm
content: I use probes of Keysight, Fluke, Mastech, Sanwa,Brymen, unnamed Chinese and my old ownhandmade probes.The worst of them are unknown Chinese junk and Mastech is not enougth quality and soft. Also, Brymen probes have not so soft (looks like not silicon), i like Brymen tips, sharp and gold plated. Fluke's probes are soft and silicone but tips like elephant's leg and that plastic were not removed. I cut them out and want to make sharper. Probably for electricians. Sanwa's are old but still alive. Keysight set is very pleasant for using,I like it. The most useable are my ownmade probes from needles, most comfortable almost everywhere. I have Keysigh needles too but its needles are not strong.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2021, 11:04:21 pm
content: And that’s why I (and many others) adore the Probe Master probes: they’re comfy to hold, have super soft silicone wire, and sturdy, gold-plated tips that are sharp enough to draw blood easily.