Oldschool Multimeter Probes - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: codingwithethanol
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2020, 08:26:32 pm
content: Does anyone know where to find probes with unshielded plugs? All I can find are the ones shown in the picture attached.

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2020, 08:39:59 pm
content: Don't think you'll find them anymore. Just cut off the shielded plugs and replace them.Alternative solution: cut off the plastic shield with a sharp knife.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2020, 08:41:27 pm
content: Multimeters haven't used unshielded 4mm banana jacks since the mid 90's so new or N.O.S. unshielded multimeter style test leads are vanishingly rare. However the shield is usually the same somewhat flexible plastic as the plug body and can be easily and cleanly cut off the plug with a sharp stanley knife or other heavy duty craft knife, to make current test leads compatible with antique multimeters.Edit: Benta beat me to it.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2020, 09:17:23 pm
content: Custom order your own from USA?https://probemaster.com/3436-design-your-own-test-leads/Probemaster gets very good reviews and feedback on their probes on this forum. All made in USA too.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2020, 09:42:21 pm
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on December 11, 2020, 09:17:23 pmI'll second the Probemaster and add that you can order the retractable sheath banana plugs so as to retain the safety and compatibility with all types of meter. Or, you can just add your own retractable ends to existing test leads.http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/1738010.pdf

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2020, 10:04:40 pm
content: @retiredcaps and bdunham7:Those are not multimeter probes. They are test leads. Not the same thing. And quite expensive on top of that.The Stanley knife solution costs next to nothing.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2020, 11:47:14 pm
content: Quote from: Benta on December 11, 2020, 10:04:40 pmIf you must distinguish them, Probemaster makes both probes and test leads. However, if you must go cheap, is $0.28/ea too much?https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001614722981.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.47a87ec8MV5Z17&algo_pvid=e0c116ab-7b57-40a2-84ef-cf94bbc2f497&algo_expid=e0c116ab-7b57-40a2-84ef-cf94bbc2f497-17&btsid=0b0a556116077301496361921e345f&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2020, 12:30:28 am
content: Quote from: bdunham7 on December 11, 2020, 11:47:14 pmTouchy, eh? I'm just pointing out that the simplest multimeter probes from your favorite supplier are around $19. Not exactly a bargain. And you still have to cut away the shroud/shield.Do you have associations here? Just asking.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2020, 01:03:36 am
content: Quote from: Benta on December 12, 2020, 12:30:28 amI thought we were talking of test leads?No associations and I mentioned 3 different products, including a bargain-basement priced one, that would solve the OPs problem and still prevent the safety issue of having an energized exposed lead if the plug should slide out of the meter.But as to the cost of Probemaster, $19 gets you a very nice set of sharp gold-plated soft-handled probes with silicon leads of 24, 36 or 48 inch length and the aforementioned retractable plugs (see 8018S) from a company that provides support and a non-fake CAT III/IV rating. I don't see that as exorbitant.

author: codingwithethanol
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2020, 04:53:44 am
content: Wow! Had a very busy day and just came back to check the thread, lots of replies! I appreciate all the info, my usual solution would indeed just be to cut the sheath or just frankenstein some out of cheap ebay jacks and some nailsTaking all the info into consideration, using either existing leads and retractable jacks or ordering the custom probemaster leads is most likely the best course of action. Thanks again for the help guys

author: S. Petrukhin
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2020, 09:21:20 am
content: Good quality and you can also cut off the excess.https://lcsc.com/product-detail/Banana-and-Tip-Connectors_Changzhou-Amass-Elec-25-503-1_C179497.htmlhttps://lcsc.com/product-detail/Banana-and-Tip-Connectors_Changzhou-Amass-Elec-25-503-2_C179498.htmlhttps://lcsc.com/product-detail/Banana-and-Tip-Connectors_Changzhou-Amass-Elec-25-504-2_C99167.htmlhttps://lcsc.com/product-detail/Banana-and-Tip-Connectors_Changzhou-Amass-Elec-25-504-1_C99166.htmlMore here:https://lcsc.com/products/Banana-and-Tip-Connectors_973.html?brand=1029

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2020, 09:49:55 am
content: They are poor clones of Fluke TL75 which you can usually get on eBay for not much.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2020, 12:36:40 pm
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on December 11, 2020, 09:17:23 pmQuote from: codingwithethanol on December 12, 2020, 04:53:44 amProbes with plain banana plugs aren’t even a custom option from probe master: they’re a standard stocked item! See the table farther down the page:https://probemaster.com/8000-series-test-lead-master-kits/(Also available as simpler kits or just probes only.)As an owner of probe master probes, I can confirm they’re a superb product. They’re the probes I use most.