Probes for HP bench meter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2012, 11:36:11 am
content: Hi all,Some successful ebaying this weekend has resulted in adding a Tek PS280, couple of HP 5381A's and a HP 3456A bench meter to the lab. However all my current probes have shielded banana plugs, so they don't fit the HP without chopping. Not that they're much good anyway.So, are there any recommendations of where to buy / brands for decent test leads to complement this meter?

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 11, 2012, 11:58:28 am
content: Pomona stuff is top-notch. Most of the Fluke probes are made by Pomona, and they are both owned by Danaher. They have various styles, with fixed sheath, with retractable sheath or without. Try to also get something like grabber hooks that can hold on to a component. This is especially useful if you require high resolution, since values may change with contact pressure.For low resistance measurements, you might want four-wire leads, but many of these are very expensive. You can either use four separate leads or build them yourself with real Kelvin clips (eg. those made by Mueller).

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2012, 02:36:33 pm
content: Get 2 each of these in black and red, Sheathed to regular adaptor.Blackhttps://www.alliedelec.com/search/productdetail.aspx?SKU=70197113Redhttps://www.alliedelec.com/search/productdetail.aspx?SKU=70197114Also lets you use sheathed grabber leads etc. on power supplies etc. with regular banana jacks

author: Spawn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2012, 03:13:12 pm
content: This was the only test lead,I could find without protection on the banana plugs on Ebay I order one set 3 days ago for a old Fluke bench multimeter I got, there are quite more leads but the plugs are too short and wont fit the multimeter.I think the quality is crap to be honest, and the pin metals are too long which may cause problems while measuring, but it’s better than nothing.Check this search on Ebay,but also a lot bad quality leads there.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2012, 05:47:50 pm
content: For low voltage work, <30V, no name Chinese kits provide flexibility:http://www.ebay.com/itm/140713773052?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648You can also find these in hardware/electronics stores. The bad part for high voltage is I don't know how properly rated the PVC insulation is, and the screw terminal probes aren't preferred as there is a small risk of arcing, variable cable resistance, galvanic low voltage noise generation, etc., if screwed ends don't mate properly or the metals alloys are marked dissimilar. So long as you know its limits, they are good general purpose leads.There was a consignment of US-made US army surplus leads that are better, but finding them is variable. A common set was labeled Elwyn Industries in Pa, and large numbers were fielded for the 1990s Gulf War as the:Elwyn Inc 6625-01-121-0510They are built similar to the cheapo-chinese ones, and have the same limitations, but I trust these more as quality construction as have to meet usually overspecified, and overpriced, MILSPEC requirements for general electrical use.http://www.surplusshed.com/pages/item/m2768.htmlhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Elwyn-Inc-6625-01-121-0510-Test-Lead-Set-NEW-/130661709834?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e6c0b780aNow, the kicker is, these surplus leads look so much like the $50 Keithley universal set:http://www.testequity.com/products/4085/... and since Elwyn is a general contractor not known for electronics products, I wouldn't be surprised is they bought them from, Keithley make them on contract, or use the same source Keithley uses, and put their mark on it.http://www.davidriddle.com/elwyn.html

author: baljemmett
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 11, 2012, 10:26:49 pm
content: I picked up a set of Pomona 5309A when I needed some probes with unshrouded bananas to go with an HP 3466A I picked up cheaply on a whim. They've been utterly excellent, and now I use them not only with the 3466A (and 3478A that I got later) but also find myself reaching for them in preference to the cheap in-box probes that came with my various handheld meters.Very tempted to pick up another set (at £10 from Farnell they'll hardly break the bank), or maybe look to see what other styles / accessories they offer. The 5309As do have nice sharp points, so haven't given me much trouble for SMD work, but some with croc clips etc. might be nice to have too.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2012, 06:11:09 am
content: You might want to give Probemaster a look.

author: grenert
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2012, 06:42:20 am
content: Quote from: saturation on March 11, 2012, 05:47:50 pmThose military surplus cables appear to be rubber, which is pretty uncommon for electronics meters. However, I think rubber leads are still supplied with the old-school Simpson 260. Older Simpson meters used to come with rubber-insulated leads as well. I don't know what the advantages/disadvantages of rubber leads are, other than that they seem to be intermediate in flexibility between PVC and silicone.Quote from: nanofrog on March 12, 2012, 06:11:09 amProbemaster leads are available with just about any banana-type connector you want on the ends, including no-sheath and retractable sheath, both of which will work with your bench meter. Note that for a bench meter, you will probably want straight plugs, unless the meter is on a shelf above your working space, in which case you might want right angle plugs.

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2012, 01:25:02 pm
content: Thanks for all the advice, much appreciated.I'm a bit over the cheap Chinese variety of probe, I've got plenty from other meters I could modify for use (and one pair I have), but I've found the plating breaking up over time or tarnishing. That and they're just not niceSome of the Pomona kits look quite good, and not too bad a price off Digikey...

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2012, 02:40:23 pm
content: Out of the curiosity I've ordered the Elwyn ones, and will report back.

author: dfnr2
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2012, 03:58:47 pm
content: I'll second the probemaster leads. You can get them with or without retractable sheaths. Excellent quality cables and probes, and inexpensive.Dave

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2012, 10:25:58 pm
content: I often wonder how many times banana sockets and plugs will stand up to abrasions from the plugging and unplugging? once the plating wear out what will happen?

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2012, 03:25:19 pm
content: I've only seen a handful fail in my lifetime, usually cheap makes: it was too loose to hold a new plug. To make a practical fix, insert a solid copper wire into the jack to make it tighter, the AWG gauge depends on how loose it is.If the plating wears out, it will expose the metal, Pomonas are made of brass, below it. The plating is typically nickel or gold to reduce contact resistance. What can happen is as its used, the insertion force will drop, so if a switch has a specified insert force spec in newtons, then it can 'fail', i.e., not meet spec, after a rated time. It will still make good contact, i.e., ~ 0 ohms even if it 'fails'.http://www.globalsources.com/gsol/I/Banana-connector/p/sm/1048128513.htmQuote from: nukie on March 12, 2012, 10:25:58 pm

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2012, 02:22:55 pm
content: I received an eBay set yesterday and what a surprise. If you need sleeveless banana jack test probes or just need spares these are fantastic quality.Get them while you can for the following reasons, photos enclosed.Very high circa 1990 Mueller electric build quality. How long Mueller will continue to make such is unknown or if Mueller will survive as a manufacturer. They have been bought out by Desco in OH, and you don't hear much about them even before that; they were a private family controlled company, as is Desco.The various 'heads' are heavy gauge steel, and nickel plated. Alone, these heads are heavier than the entire Fluke or Agilent leads.The 3' cables are silicon rubber.Left is Agilent 1272a cable, Center is Fluke 87V cable, and left most is Mueller.The assembly is still in MILSPEC packaging, its very expensive packaging: waterproof, vacuum packed, gas proof, oil proof, heat resistant. The units appeared brand new once you open them due to the preservation quality packaging.Not only foil lined, the package was plastic impregnated, almost tear proof. Then inside wrapped again in bubble wrap.I've bought 2 sets.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2012, 11:34:08 pm
content: I've just ordered two pairs of them for the hell of it. They're selling fast.

author: Spawn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2012, 11:50:34 pm
content: I would love to get those but the shipment costs are 30USD and rising 5USD each set

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2012, 11:58:46 pm
content: I'm having a friend ship them over, should be cheaper.

author: Spawn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2012, 12:11:21 am
content: I don’t have friends there unfortunatelyFor that price (including shipment) I could get these with good quality:http://www2.conrad.nl/goto.php?artikel=108492orhttp://www2.conrad.nl/goto.php?artikel=120030orhttp://www2.conrad.nl/goto.php?artikel=108493orhttp://www2.conrad.nl/goto.php?artikel=108497or even these Fluke leads:http://www2.conrad.nl/goto.php?artikel=101266I am just posting these for people who have Conrad in their country, Conrad has a lot more sets in that price range.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2012, 12:28:43 am
content: Quote from: Spawn on March 17, 2012, 12:11:21 amDevelop some! They're insanely useful for access to their unreasonably low priced goods.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2012, 12:01:25 pm
content: Yes, the Conrad set is better for the money. In the US on eBay these are $13 each, delivered or about 10 Euros.Quote from: Spawn on March 16, 2012, 11:50:34 pm

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2012, 02:49:56 pm
content: Regarding the pomona lead set , it costs a bomb , or rather , the price of a brand new agilent for me

author: Spawn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2012, 02:51:25 pm
content: Yes saturation, the shipment costs takes the fun out those leadsI have a lot test leads, but on the other hand you never can’t have enough test leadsI am still looking for good quality stackable banana leads, I got couple sets but sometimes I wish I had more. I have seen sets which you can make them yourself but the quality doesn’t look that good, I am more in electrical stuff than electronics and I work with high voltages, so for safety I need good leads.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2012, 03:05:42 pm
content: Sorry to hear, spawn. Try Pomonas "new" design: looks and feels good, everything is deeply recessed and big easy grip. $5 each, stackable, there are clones too, but I haven't seen it cheaper as clones.http://www.pomonaelectronics.com/pdf/d6721_001.pdfQuote from: Spawn on March 18, 2012, 02:51:25 pm

author: Spawn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2012, 03:54:09 pm
content: Thanks for heads up saturation, I didn’t know that the stackable could be 1000V CAT-III because of the open side for next lead.Those Pomona ones looks very decent, 2 of them to make one lead would cost me 7.60 Euros without the wire, here I come with Conrad againhttp://www2.conrad.nl/goto.php?artikel=106044These are 100cm stackable leads with Cat-II 1000 V and Cat-III 600 V, 15A rated, I think I will order couple of these, price for each is 6.49 Euros, and Conrad ships free if you order above 25 Euros.So far I could see there are no cheaper ones, it’s just the price which adds up when you need 10 of thesethat’s why I keep searching.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2012, 05:33:21 pm
content: Well, having finally received my test leads (along with quite a few other goodies.. anyone want a 12V 12.5A PSU?), I'm rather pleased. Had to spend a while cleaning grease residue out of the threads, but the result is worth it.