Replacement for Fluke TL175 probes? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Solder_Junkie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2019, 01:03:19 pm
content: I bought a Fluke 177 in 2015. It came with the TL175 probes. In less than a year, one lead had a deep crack in the silicon cable insulation and was replaced under warranty. Now one of the probes has developed an intermittent high resistance.The meter is only used occasionally for home/hobby use. To say I am disappointed with the awful quality of the leads is an understatement. The meter came from a Fluke distributor, so is unlikely to have been supplied with non genuine leads.I am reluctant to buy another TL175 set of probes, but do like them. Any recommendations for replacements that are likely to last more than a year or two, ideally clip into the case, and have the same class of safety?Thanks

author: Arhigos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2019, 08:41:00 am
content: i recommend tp175 leads. It's a same as tl175, but you can replace cablehttps://www.fluke.com/en-us/product/accessories/test-leads/tp175

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2019, 10:04:16 am
content: Probe master or Brymen probes... Fraction of price, top quality.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2019, 02:28:21 pm
content: Probe Master probes are awesome. The basic model is resold in the UK by the mod Simon.

author: unknownparticle
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2019, 03:28:00 pm
content: I can second Probe Master and the Bryman leads, although both share the same slight design issue. That is, the plugs, at the meter end, are not internally shrouded, so, it is possible to touch the metal connector. Although, the Flukes also have the same issue, the basic ones anyway. Another good test lead is Voltcraft, and they are fully shrouded plugs.It is disappointing that the Fluke leads lasted so short a time, I have Avo leads which are over 40 years old and are still fine, and they aren't even silicone!

author: Johnboy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2019, 06:08:25 pm
content: I also have some Probe Master leads and am entirely satisfied with their quality, especially at the price.However, they will not clip into your yellow boot as the TL175's do, because the finger guards on PM leads are too wide for the rubber slots. On the other hand, if you're only using your meter on your bench and not in the field, that may not be all that important to you.

author: umbro
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2019, 07:01:36 pm
content: Brymen probes

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2019, 09:57:49 pm
content: Quote from: unknownparticle on December 16, 2019, 03:28:00 pmI don’t consider having an uninsulated tip of the banana plug a concern, since the probes shouldn’t be powered when not plugged into the meter. (And the shroud extends far enough that you'd have to make an effort to touch the metal. Either way, more of a concern on banana to banana test leads than on probes.) But for what it’s worth, Probe Master’s retractable-shroud banana plug option does indeed have the insulated tip.

author: Solder_Junkie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2019, 11:27:32 am
content: Thanks for the replies. I bought a set of Fluke TL75, they are OK so far. The second set of TL175 that went intermittently high resistance appear to have a poor connection between the lead and the probe within the plastic probe.I also bought a set of spring clip probes and leads. The probes are eBay item 332663591552, described as 10 Amp” and “professional”... in their Chinese dreams, they are quite high resistance, several Ohms. Avoid like the plague.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2019, 12:00:54 pm
content: Quote from: Solder_Junkie on December 17, 2019, 11:27:32 amYou could have bought 2-3 pairs of Brymen probes for that money, and they are superior quality, gold plated and real silicone insulation cables.I'm not buying Fluke cables ever again. I had very expensive modular cable set, and it was crap.... Cables went after a year of use, insides of connectors corroded.... I had better luck with UNI-T cables.....

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2019, 04:08:42 pm
content: Quote from: Solder_Junkie on December 17, 2019, 11:27:32 amSadly, I’m not entirely shocked. I have the TL175 and I remain ambivalent about them. I like the clever retractable sheath idea, and the overall feel in my hands is good. But the sheath implementation is not super precise, and the probe tips themselves have a bit of play.My daily drivers have become the Probe Masters. Dangerously sharp points, totally sturdy, and comfy to hold. (And the gold plating turns any multimeter into a great continuity tester. Scratchy unlatched continuity becomes steady and clean.)