Decent test leads? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: blackjudas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2012, 02:53:52 am
content: I'm just piecing together my Chinese sponsored electronics lab and have a few multimeters I intend to use for my projects. I've found and read that the leads provided with these cheap meters are quite useless, dull and dirty and/or pitted. Is there a source, and brand name I could look for that's not Fluke? I have a hard time paying more for test leads than the multimeter itself. Generally as is suggested, sharp and no need to be using IPA to clean them before I get to use them?I'd love to splurge for brand name stuff, but it is a hobby and I do have to make sure what I spend is absolutely minimal =/. Same old story huh?

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2012, 03:19:51 am
content: I have three sets oftheseand love them.

author: blackjudas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2012, 04:25:49 am
content: That kit looks like very nice value for the price. Can you tell me if you've had any problems with pitting/coatings? Ie, super scratchy continuity test?

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2012, 07:14:45 am
content: Pomona build quality leads.http://www.digikey.com.au/product-detail/en/6344/501-1355-ND/737671Don't know if that's in your budget...Cheers

author: dr_p
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2012, 07:39:33 am
content: A bit pricy but you get a lot of options, enough for 4 devices.http://www.amazon.com/Fluke-TL81A-Test-Deluxe-Electronic/dp/B000NI2B6A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354692854&sr=8-1&keywords=fluke+test+leads+set

author: Achilles
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2012, 09:50:52 am
content: In an electronics lab you probably just work with lower voltages (unless you play around with transformers and so on).I found normal 4mm banana-plug cables pretty useful. They also come CAT rated with safety sockets (but are more expnsive)so for playing around I have my normal leads supplied with the meters and some 4mm Bana-Jack silicone leads. These are really flexible and I like to work with them. On the 4mm Leads I just plug several Probe-Tips. Mostly Hirschmann, as these are pretty cheap around here. You may be better off with other brands.For automotive use/check: Hirschmann KLEPS 2700 Insulation Piercing Probe (several...got a pair for 10Euro, sometimes cheaper)For Basic stuff on a PCB: PRUEF 2600 Test tips...but I do have finer ones which I mostly prefer (bought a pair which was in a Test-Set)For finer stuff like testing on an IC-Pin: PRUEF 2610FT....suspension needle tips. I do prefer these. (Bought a pair on ebay for 4 Euro)They work fine with 4mm Safety Sockets as well as normal 4mm cables. Maybe you can grab some of these cheap on ebay as well..... The Quality is nice anyway.

author: r90s
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2012, 10:16:14 am
content: Very timely info for me.Thanks

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2012, 05:12:31 pm
content: Not sure of budget, but Probemaster would be worth a look IMHO (similar quality, but not as expensive as Fluke/Pomona).

author: blackjudas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2012, 11:02:09 am
content: Thank you all for the suggestions, and my apologies for not specifying a budget in the original post. I was simply trying to find leads with minimal "scratchyness" and sharp enough to poke through some oxidation. What I figure I'll do before chewing through $120 for some wire with fancy ends is attempt some fancy polishing with a rotary tool. I've always liked the pretty sparkles!If that fails miserably and I end up with new picture nails in the walls, I think I'll take a look at the probemaster leads first. The Fluke TL71's are affordable if it wasn't for the fact that in Canada, shipping costs as much as shipping things to Australia not Austria!

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2012, 12:05:43 pm
content: How about Agilent?I love their probes, nice white colour and certainly is cheap compared to fluke possibly if you think that it comes with shrouded tips toohttp://www.home.agilent.com/en/pd-1639325-pn-U1169A/test-probe-leads-with-19-mm-tips-and-4-mm-tips?nid=-536902470.892751&cc=SG&lc=eng

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 07, 2012, 11:03:30 pm
content: Quote from: T4P on December 07, 2012, 12:05:43 pmComments from some U125x owners (Saturation?) were that the leads were OK, but the accessories were much more cheaply made compared to Fluke/Pomona parts. How do your experiences compare?

author: dfnr2
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2012, 12:15:18 am
content: +1 for the Probemaster leads. Great value. I prefer these leads over Fluke and Pomonas, and have them on every one of my meters.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2012, 02:13:54 am
content: Quote from: alm on December 07, 2012, 11:03:30 pmThe leads themselves are decent, but are a little less flexible (thicker at 16AWG instead of 18AWG of Fluke/Pomona; both use silicone insulation). Accessories are usable (seen a lot worse), but not as good as I'd like (not as easy to use due to no guide to center the probe pins where they plug into). Wire insulation on the accessories are PVC. Not sure how long they'll hold up over time, but so far, they're doing OK.IF you get an Agilent and determine you don't like the leads, I'd recommend taking a good look at Probemaster. Extremely good quality (I'd say equal to, and even better in a couple of things) for less money than Fluke/Pomona.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2012, 03:24:14 am
content: 16AWG to me is a good idea even if it's not as stiff because it is rated to 15A though not useful but i like thick wires for a odd reason ...I do genuinely think the PVC on accessories is for nV reading ... Silicon can have triboelectric effectsQuote from: alm on December 07, 2012, 11:03:30 pm

author: blackjudas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2012, 07:16:37 am
content: Bah....Canuckiscrewed yet once more...I went to order one set of leads from the probemaster site to test their quality. Found that the shipping is extreme and so is the carrier they use. After is all said and done, I'd be better off buying fluke probes.=/

author: grenert
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2012, 11:07:14 pm
content: If Jameco has better shipping options for you, they carry one of the Probemaster lead sets:https://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_212222_-1I have that particular set; I find them very comfortable to use. They have molded "ergonomic" handles rather than perfectly straight ones.