Slide-on alligator clips for probes, any good? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: lpc32
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2014, 11:30:32 pm
content: Do you find slide-on alligator clips for DMM probes to be reliable? Especially when the clips didn't come as a set with the probes.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2014, 11:32:29 pm
content: I find the ones that do come as a set with the probes very handy, especially when the clips screw securely onto the probe leads.

author: lpc32
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2014, 11:40:39 pm
content: You mean threaded?The ones above seem dubious, if they're any indication, with the contact maintained by the enclosing rubber shroud.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 17, 2014, 11:49:20 pm
content: Both Agilent and Fluke use this method, I have not had any electrical connection problem (no intermittent contact) but I have had one set perish the hood material, potential electrical hazard.

author: deth502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2014, 12:07:21 am
content: i find them very reliable and useful. but most of the time, even more useful are this type that slip over the probe tips:http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Pair-Single-Hook-Clip-Mini-Grabber-Test-Probe-for-SMD-IC-Multimeter-1-6-4cm-/290967159963?_trksid=p2054897.l4276

author: lpc32
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2014, 04:18:00 am
content: VK5RC, do Agilent/Fluke construct it similar to the photo in the first post?deth, these specific grabbers on eBay? How's the tip of the probe held inside?

author: Gallymimus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2014, 05:11:54 am
content: The one in the top picture is NOT the same as FLUKE or other high quality clips. The good ones have an actual circumferential spring inside. The ones in the picture are a standard crimp or solder alligator clip that someone pawned off as being for meter probes.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2014, 06:36:57 am
content: +1 to Gallymimus, those are cheap and low quality alligator clip compared to branded, well known alligator clip for DMM probes like from Fluke, Agilent and of course "Mueller".The Fluke tips fit snugly and it has sort of faint click when the tip is hitting the the end of insertion, its like something is biting the dented tip, and there is a yellow metal part that touch the tip part, not sure what metal it is, looks like brass to me. And the the rubber at Fluke is not detachable, its like they molded the whole metal part into the rubber.While the Mueller imo is much better as you need to screw the tip into it, though Fluke still firm enough once inserted fully, but you just can't beat screw type mechanism right ? The Mueller's rubber feels better material as its softer and still shiny, I think its silicon instead of rubber, not sure though.Photos below should be self explanatory showing on the quality built. Btw, the Mueller probes and the alligator clips even though look new, they are used quite frequent and probably aged more than 10 years old.The last photo shows the tip's sharpness comparison Fluke vs Mueller, I think it answers the reason why the Mueller has the tip covers, and I guess it can be used as an ice pick since the tip is really hard.Hope this photos help answering your questions.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2014, 06:53:44 am
content: I always use clips soldered directly to a set of leads. I find the short length stays where I clip it and it's not a big deal to have another set around. I use multimeter clips off the bench when checking things in a cabinet (for example) when a slip could hurt equipment or myself. On the bench and at save voltages I grab whatever is handy.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 18, 2014, 07:46:02 am
content: The Agilent clips are almost identical to the flukes, similar circumferential holding of the probe and firmish click, I almost alwayslleave the black one on, the red I usually leave as a tip, as a result I have a few spare red clips (not worn out).

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2014, 08:03:41 am
content: While still on the topic on the "alligator" clip, just fyi, latest Fluke alligator morphed into so called "alien" clips.Don't blame me, someone in this forum invented the new name for it.Look a like ?

author: ErikTheNorwegian
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2014, 12:15:10 pm
content: Yep, they are good.I usethem on my esr meter.

author: deth502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2014, 07:39:21 pm
content: Quote from: lpc32 on March 18, 2014, 04:18:00 amthe ones i have slide on the probe tip exactly the same as the alligator clips do. fwiw, i just took the picture of the clips from an ebay auction to show thetypeof clip i was talking about, i dont know anything at all about the ones in the auction, and i cant remember where i ever got mine from. might have been radio shack or moyer's electronics in sunbury YEARRRRS ago. i have 2 sets that ive had for near 20 years now. much better than trying to use an awkward allgator clip 98% of the time.

author: deth502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2014, 07:45:38 pm
content: possibly these??http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062221&numProdsPerPage=60the ones i have have a small hole just over the size of the probe tip in the back of them with the spring type metal in that hole, so they fit the probe tips very tightly. if your using more than one meter and need to clip the leads to something, imo, they cant be beat. ive never had one slide off the probe tip even when hanging off of a lead somewhere, even after 20 yrs of hobby use (not everyday/commercial use, so ymmv)

author: lpc32
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2014, 04:57:27 am
content: So the good ones have a decent gripping mechanism, and those in the first post aren't worth the trouble. Right.Closest I found wasthese $11 probeswith threaded tips + alligator clips (unknown cable length). But shipping outside the US is ludicrous (eBay's new thing to make international shipping easier to sellers appears worthless so far).The other thing I found wasthese $2 threaded probes. But short cables, and I've no idea what clips might fit the threading.deth: I see. I suppose Grabbers could be useful too. I'll try something random off eBay.

author: daddario
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2014, 07:50:09 am
content: As far as smaller ones go, these are really good:http://ee.farnell.com/hirschmann-test-measurement/930317801/test-clamp-2mm-red-las-s-g/dp/1011421And if your probe tip has this ridge-thing (say the ubiquitous Fluke TL75) it locks into place, too.There is a cheaper look-a-like in farnell too, but I wouldn't buy it. Cheap test leads and connectors are no good. You can, to an extent, get away with a $50 chinese multimeter, but you absolutely must have good leads.

author: jadew
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2014, 04:28:08 pm
content: I don't see the benefit over having dedicated alligator clip leads like the ones here:I don't know about the construction of those in the picture, but if you make them yourself you can make sure they are strong enough for the kind of abuse you plan for them. IMO they are safer, more flexible since they don't have the original probe attached to their ass and you don't have to pay a premium fee, you can get them / build them for $1 or $2.

author: deth502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2014, 08:03:46 pm
content: ive been thinking of trying a set of these:http://www.sears.com/extech-electronic-test-lead-kit/p-03416265000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1i know fluke makes a similar set, but ive seen them go for $125-200.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 20, 2014, 10:00:46 am
content: jadewI would be very careful with those leads, on the 4mm banana plugs, the holding screw is exposed and if you were to pull it out and it had a 'decent' voltage on it, it could be nasty!You would also need to check the voltage limit of the cable, most 'zip' line is really for low voltage DC.Agilent do a nice set for quite a good price, nice soft flexible cables that lie down and don't spring up into the wrong places, below is a link to one of their sets at the local Agilent vendor for AUS $63 (~with gst)http://www.triotest.com.au/shop/en/multimeter-leads/1997-agilent-standard-test-lead-set.html

author: jadew
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2014, 08:22:04 pm
content: VK5RC, I'm aware of the screwI just picked a random picture to make the point. There are also molded banana plugs that don't have that issue tho.