Good silicon test leads - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Julien3146
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2018, 12:52:52 pm
content: Hi there!I've recently changed my cheap ass Lavolta power supply to a DP832, and something stuck me, and that's how cheap my alligator clips cables are.I'm trying to find some good leads, without spending a huge amount of money in the process.I'm looking for stackable banana plug leads, and why not some banana/alligator adapters.I've tried to search the forum but i'm not very efficient with the search module yet.What do you guys use ? I think silicon leads could be a good choice, as they're flexible and good feeling.Thanks a lot,Julien

author: danco
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 26, 2018, 01:32:55 pm
content: I found these on aliexpress and I am very happy with the quality. Very flexible, stackable banana plugs, tested up to 10 A wthout problems. About 1 meter long.http://s.aliexpress.com/jeU3YVRv?fromSns=+BlueMailSent from my MI 5s Plus using Tapatalk

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2018, 02:18:28 pm
content: Quote from: Julien3146 on August 26, 2018, 12:52:52 pmI have a whole bunch of stackable banana leads from Hirschmann.

author: Julien3146
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2018, 02:43:24 pm
content: Thanks guys for the answers.The Hirschmann one are quite expensive but remind me of top quality plugs i used to have in school.the Aliexpress ones seem neat, even if I've got a problem with colors other than black and red for cables, must be an OCD or somethingI'll look into it, thanks

author: joeyjoejoe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2018, 02:58:54 pm
content: Just put in a 2nd order for another set of these oneshttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-4pcs-4-Colors-1M-4mm-Banana-to-Banana-Plug-Mini-Soft-Silicone-Test-Cable-Lead/32799600321.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.57fc4c4dM4dZKe

author: Candid
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2018, 04:12:25 pm
content: I have cheap ones and I have usable onesThe ones I use are all from Hirschmann.I always recommend Hirschmann because they are low resistance and high current with really good fitting banana plugs. And I use Hirschmann alligator clips too. I already melted some cheap ones but never the Hirschmann.Welectron is a good source:https://www.welectron.com/Hirschmann-Measuring-Lead-Kit-25mm-1m

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2018, 10:10:30 pm
content: Franky, one of the residents here, has an eBay store with very good quality products.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/franky_s-sales-thread/I personally bought from him in the past and I am very pleased with the service and quality of the product.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2018, 11:03:03 pm
content: Quote from: Candid on August 26, 2018, 04:12:25 pmIt seems Welectron only sells the leads with PVC isolation. The silicone ones are much nicer to use.

author: JS
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2018, 06:59:08 am
content: I got this ones from Ali, they feel nicer than what they look in the pictures. I then used some high temp silicon wire, 1.5mm to go with with some big alligators and some 1mm banana banana which I use with banana-aligators connectors when I need smaller ones. Not as flexible as usual measurement silicon wire but still nice to touch and you can't burn them with the iron.Note that stackable bananas aren't insulated around as safety probes bananas are (stackable ones would be massive) bit this ones I found have a insulated tip and a speing loaded sleeve so they are protected when unconnected... Nice!http://s.aliexpress.com/2qM7ZrqY?fromSns=Copyto ClipboardI also got the alligators from the same store, I don't think I'd probe 1kV live with an aligator but thwy are rated as such and the insulation feels nice, the bite isn't great on small stuff. The smaller plastic ones will bite nicely and firmly in a tiny lead.http://s.aliexpress.com/zEnIZrQz?fromSns=Copyto Clipboardhttp://s.aliexpress.com/i673MNnE?fromSns=Copyto ClipboardTo mess with your OCD I will tell you my story about that, I made my probes with different sets of colours, as I couldn't find red and black silicon wire locally I went and used grey brown and light blue. A pair of each with black and red connectors. It messed with my OCD at first but I got used to it pretty fast and now I prefer them over black and red wires, first is easy to track different lead pairs on a messy test, second is easier to pick up the correct ones from the bin, grey are the big alligators, blue the bananas, brown bananas that usually have the alligators fitted.In the middle of the search I did find some nice red and black wire, dirt cheap, sold as DMM and likely price not updated in a messy economy, so I got a lot. It was much thinner conductor as DMM probes usually are so I wouldn't run any signifficant current on them but the insulation is really tough and flexible, so I build some leads with them to small hooks, being red and black wires I use them pretty little as I can't find the pairs easily...JS

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2018, 07:29:35 am
content: FWIW, if you want to DIY your own probes with decent silicone wire, look for Pomona's 6733 (6733-0= black,6733-2= red). 18AWG, 10kVDC insulation rated, 20A, and 192x41 stranding = really flexible.$28 for 50ft, so ~$0.56/ft. Not terribly expensive at all for what you're getting.Oh, and it still has the white inner layer that shows up when you've worn through the outer colored layer (lets you know it's time to replace them as they're no longer in spec).

author: Candid
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2018, 08:21:54 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on August 26, 2018, 11:03:03 pmYes they do. The PVC are really flexible too but only the PVCs are up to 32A with 2mm2, the silicones are "only" 16A with 1mm2. I have both and I like both.

author: Prime
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2018, 02:24:40 pm
content: I quite like the Hirchmann ones as well. Their quality is decent and you can get them in different lengths.I also quite like the Multicontact ones. They have a stackable version with a spring loaded shroud which is perfect for plugging into supplies and loads and should you accidentally disconnect a live lead, it will protect itself and you. They have a good range of grabbers and leads.

author: bugi
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2018, 06:58:26 pm
content: IIRC, Multi-contact (aka stäubli) also has silicone coaxial stuff (though not at 50ohm), which seems to be somewhat difficult to find, especially at that 50ohm. On the other hand, it is nearly impossible to find a shop that sells their silicone coaxial stuff (in quantities less than manufacturer minimum of 25 pieces)... And some sellers seem to like to ask quite a hefty premium for multi-contact's cables (as in almost twice the expected price). I managed to find only one shop in EU that sold those silicone coax cables in small quantities and at decent price.

author: Julien3146
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2018, 06:03:24 am
content: Holy cow I didn't expect that much answers.I'll take the time to sort them all during the dayThanks a lot!Julien

author: lypse
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2018, 06:19:50 am
content: I got these for work, very nice with retractable shroud, just remember they are only CAT II. And one lead cost more than 4 aliexpress ones..I've only seen CAT III with fixed shrouds.Multi ContactXZG425/SIL 66.9408-xxSiliconeCAT II 32 A 600 V

author: newbie666
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2018, 11:05:25 am
content: I've just ordered myself a pair of gold plated Brymen ones thanks to this thread. For people located in EU, you can get them from here:https://www.welectron.com/Brymen-BL21S2-T4SC-Silicone-Test-Leadsfor around 10EUR as opposed to ~17USD from the ebay store linked above.

author: Prime
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2018, 12:18:10 pm
content: I always bought my MC leads from RS. They probably weren't the cheapest but it was the easiest place to purchase from in my previous job.

author: newbie666
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2018, 12:33:39 pm
content: Got the Brymen leads today, super happy with them. The cable is very soft and they look solid. Also ordered a pair of aligator clips - they are huge!

author: JS
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2018, 05:30:55 pm
content: Be aware of the brymen silicon leads can get damaged if the banana inserts are screwed too tight, the tip of the lead can come loose and you have a problem. If that happens the banana is hard to get out as you don't have anywhere to hold the tip. Baerly finger tight should be enough, I have the problem with one and I'm not the only one, tightening with the fingers a bot tighter than just there can cause this. I don't know what glue could solve this, neutral silicon I guess.JS