Test equipment cables and accessories? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: scatterandfocus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2019, 04:04:38 am
content: I have some used test equipment gradually arriving from ebay (oscilloscope, function generator, power supply). I'm a noob to this stuff, and I'm wondering which accessories and cables will be most handy to have around. I have a cheapie set of 1x/10x switchable probes from ebay for testing incoming gear. The oscilloscope is coming with a set of tektronix 10x probes, so I think I will be ok for probes. I will need a tee or two, maybe a probe tip to bnc adapter or two, and some banana cables or banana to alligator cables (power supply to breadboard and other circuits). Is there anything else that is handy to have around? Any recommended sellers?

author: paulca
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2019, 07:30:41 am
content: I bought a few things on Ebay.I use these are a lot:https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Premium-Test-Leads-4mm-Banana-Plug-to-Moulded-Crocodile-Alligator-Clip-1m-UK/122041130073?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649My banana to banana leads came from China, but seem not to be listed anymore. Aim for thicker cables with silicone insulation.Anyway, depending on what type of work you will be doing, consider buying:A pack of dupoint style wires for breadboarding and pin headers, Male-Male, Female-Female, Male-Female short and long. Might as well get some pin headers strips too.A set of breadboard jumpers, these can be made from single core below, but you can buy packs from "Wisher" (and others) already cut and formed for breadboard spacings.A bundle of "hook up wire" in multiple colours. Solid core stuff is handy for breadboards and protoboards, multi-strand is better for inter connecting parts of projects.Reusable banana connectors and croc clips. Sometimes none of the leads you have will do, so you have to make your own. Sometimes you can't trust the leads you buy won't turn out to be 3 strands of aluminium, but buying some 16AWG silicone wire and your own connectors means you know what you are getting/using.Some decent high-ish gauge silicone wire 12-18 AWG for making higher current leads and PSU tails.A multipack of those DC barrel jack connectors with connector blocks on them! Very handy.A pack of 3 way tool-free connector blocks, they have spring loaded connections, very handy.Wago(tm) connectors can be handy, though not essential, could be subsituted for/with the above. They aren't exactly "cheap".

author: Old Printer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2019, 02:57:02 pm
content: I get a lot of my stuff from MPJA in Florida. Here is a link to their BNC connector page.https://www.mpja.com/BNC-Connectors/departments/93/Ipicked up some Tee's, right angles and terminators. Also got some short cables but they are like broom sticks.I recently picked up these made from RG316 that are much better for the bench. These turned out to be a bit short but they have them in 24".https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DLLDCJJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1Also check out Franky, he is a local here and well known. Works from China, but good quality stuff at good prices.http://stores.ebay.com/99centhobbies

author: scatterandfocus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2019, 06:04:44 pm
content: Thanks for the info and links.On terminators, if I understand correctly, they are needed when dealing with digital and RF signals. My scope inputs are 1M ohm and signal gen outputs are 50 ohm. Not sure if I need terminators for my lowly beginner uses.