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

author: ytech15
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 08:22:43 am
content: Hey,After a while using the TL75 leads that came with my fluke, I am looking forward to upgrade them, I ordered some uni-t leads (UT-L16) which are kind of ok.. But I would like to hear some recommendations for a decent set of test leads...Thanks

author: cs.dk
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 08:40:40 am
content: For small stuff, i like Fluke TL910. They are rather expensive though.My allrounder is Fluke TL-175, works fine and they are much lower price.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 09:12:51 am
content: Try these guys range:http://www.pomonaelectronics.com/

author: ytech15
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 10:07:00 am
content: Quote from: cs.dk on May 01, 2016, 08:40:40 amDoes the TL-175 have silicon wires?

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 10:13:03 am
content: Try Frankyhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/franky's-sales-thread/http://stores.ebay.com/99centHobbies

author: newbrain
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 01:24:24 pm
content: Quote from: ytech15 on May 01, 2016, 10:07:00 amYesTwistGuard™ is really handy, especially to probe in cramped spaces (at low voltages!) where you risk to short to something in the way.I always ended up losing the removable caps other leads have...

author: ytech15
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 02:31:21 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on May 01, 2016, 10:13:03 amThanks. This is very useful.Quote from: newbrain on May 01, 2016, 01:24:24 pmThanks.After looking in Franky's eBay store, I found the Brymen BL21S2-T4SC... How are they compared to the TL-175?

author: alank2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 02:35:45 pm
content: These are my favorites for my good meters:http://probemaster.com/8000-series-standard/

author: r4ptor
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 03:07:00 pm
content: I can really recommend frankys test leads. Silicone, gold coated tips, screw on adapater for banana plugs. All for a reasonable price with fast shipping.Really satisfied with them.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 03:38:59 pm
content: I like the Probemaster products as well for my bench meters. I'm not sure they offer ones that fit the standard holders you find on most handhelds.Quote from: alank2 on May 01, 2016, 02:35:45 pm

author: noidea
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 03:58:32 pm
content: Quote from: cs.dk on May 01, 2016, 08:40:40 amHi cs.dkDo you mind measuring the diameter of the probes on the TL175's are they any good for backprobing into connectors with the shrouds wound back?

author: switcher
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 04:12:45 pm
content: I find most Fluke leads/probes far too large for electronics work.Since I bought a couple of sets of each of these, I haven't used any Fluke probes.http://www.digikey.co.uk/product-detail/en/mueller-electric-co/110012/314-1057-ND/304621http://www.digikey.co.uk/product-detail/en/pomona-electronics/6235/501-1246-ND/737585

author: georges80
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 05:23:39 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on May 01, 2016, 03:38:59 pmProbemaster for the winI have their 9104 probe set ->http://probemaster.com/9000-series-modular/Pricey, but you get quality and a great kit of various modular probes/clips/etc that go well with a decent meter. I use them on my Fluke 87III and Fluke 8845A. Nice sharp tips for probing small components.I put the straight/standard probes into my lathe to remove the 'high voltage shroud' so I can get them closer (without clashing with each other) when probing all the signal level stuff they are used for. Anything mains related I use the original shrouded versions if necessary.cheers,george.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 08:01:54 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on May 01, 2016, 03:38:59 pmAnother Probemaster user.Regarding fitting probe holders, the modular 9000 series probes would be more appropriate (standard shape). The finger guard is on the larger side however, so they may not fit a particular meter. For example, they don't fit the back of my Brymen BM857a (older model), but have no issues fitting my Agilent U1252B.

author: blacksheeplogic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 09:37:03 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on May 01, 2016, 09:12:51 amPomona from memory are/were part of fluke. They produce the Flukes test leads and apart from branding and a minor change in the plug are identical at a lower cost. At least some of Keithly's test leads are also built by Pomona.Test leads are somewhat subjective and application specific, there's no 'the best'.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 11:03:09 pm
content: Quote from: blacksheeplogic on May 01, 2016, 09:37:03 pmThey are.The parent company is Danaher, which owns Fluke, Pomona, Keithley, and Tektronix.

author: alank2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2016, 01:00:23 am
content: I just found that Probemaster has free US shipping now - I ordered another set of test leads for my new bench meter. I'm going to try out one of those $3 hanging lead wall accessories too.

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2016, 01:52:50 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on May 01, 2016, 11:10:00 pmAll those are the same part with Pomona as the OEM, but the Keysight package doesn't come with the spare tips? The Fluke markup is "interesting".As with many others experience of these miniature probes, they don't have a particularly good lifespan and breaks in the fine cable occur far too often (around 1 year was typical). Since the tips and sockets are standard parts a more robust version that terminates into generic banana leads could be popular if there is an enterprising person out there with access to overmolding.Fluke have their own surge-grip line of cables, probes, and grabbers/hooks. Most of it is targeting industrial electricians but they have a wide range of probes and grabbers suitable for electronics if you can get a chance to play with them in person before purchasing. For anything smaller I switch to logic analyser style pin header clips and probes wired onto RG316 coax.

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2016, 11:18:13 pm
content: I don't have enough hands for probes. I didn't realise this until I got rid of the damn things.I use a selection of random Pomona minigrabber to 4mm and 4mm patches. Plus Pomona 3788's from function generator at anything under about 5MHz on the end of a short bit of RG58/U. Anything upwards of 5MHz is soldered in circuit or BNC only.

author: cs.dk
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 05, 2016, 06:57:17 am
content: Quote from: noidea on May 01, 2016, 03:58:32 pmSorry for the delay;They are not good for connectors, you know the type found in vehicles, etc. Much to thick, that where the TL910 comes in.TL175 OD 2,0 mm - TL910 OD 1,0 mm.

author: D3f1ant
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2016, 08:32:42 am
content: TL910 are made by Pomona I think as pomona is oem for many brands. Mine are Keysight branded and cost less than Fluke TL175, so pays to shop around. They come with sprung, unsrung and stainless tips. I love crown spring tips for probing 0.4mm pitch chips, they lock/stick into the legs nicely and dont slip off.

author: TinkerFan
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2016, 08:41:44 am
content: Dave did a short "review" of a pair of probemasters a while ago in the Mailbag. They looked pretty awesome, but I've never tested them for myself:"The Gold probes" by Probe Master, Made in America (around minute 22):

author: alank2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2016, 12:40:15 pm
content: I got them in from the order I placed - another awesome set of 8043S. My 8845A is now happy. One of the best things about these is the gold plating, it is on the probe ends, on all the attachments, and the attachments screw into place. You can't go wrong with these things. $15.90 shipped for just the leads, but I always get the set for $27.90 that comes with alligator clips, spring hook clips, and large spade terminals.

author: macboy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2016, 01:20:55 pm
content: alank,How sharp are those probes? Are the wires silicone and super flexible or PVC/etc. and not so much.

author: TheAmmoniacal
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 05, 2016, 01:32:36 pm
content: Very sharp probes and soft flexible silicone leads.

author: alank2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2016, 01:50:52 pm
content: Quote from: macboy on May 05, 2016, 01:20:55 pmVERY sharp. If you drop them on your foot they are going to cut you. Too much force into a finger and they will easily break skin. This can be both a plus and a downside, I use them because I can very easily pinpoint the exact place I want to touch a circuit, but you have to respect that they are sharp.Also, they are slicone and super flexible.

author: guy48065
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 05, 2016, 02:42:15 pm
content: Quote from: Someone on May 02, 2016, 01:52:50 amWhen my (employer's) shiny new Fluke 5522A calibrator arrived...without leads...I was quoted $1005 for a 24-inch 3-conductor set! ALL my Fluke meters came with leads, but a $33,000 Standard doesn't...

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2016, 05:20:39 pm
content: Quote from: macboy on May 05, 2016, 01:20:55 pmFWIW, every Probemaster DMM probe I've ever bought are very sharp. So sharp in fact, they'll draw blood without much effort/force at all (didn't even feel the spring loaded probe tip go into my finger; only figured it out when I saw blood).Also, all the wire is silicone and very flexible; even the thinner gauge used in the accessories for the 9000 modular series is silicone.