Patent ID: 7100504

Claim:
A probe for detecting a short-circuit caused by an electrical short between a first electrically conductive element located in a probed area and a second electrically conductive element, said probe comprising: a probe body having a housing; an electrically conductive probe pin mounted within an internal cavity of the housing, said probe pin having a first end and a second end, said first end being adapted for coupling to a source of electrical voltage; a releasable clamp for clamping the second end of the probe pin to the probe area, while permitting the probe pin to effect electrical contact with the first electrically conductive element; and a spring activated mechanism operatively coupled to the probe pin, for biasing the releasable clamp toward the probe area to assist attachment when the probe is primed and being adapted to allow limited displacement of the body of the probe away from the probed area while maintaining clamping of the second end of the probe pin to the probe area so as to maintain the electrical contact between the second end of the probe pin and the first electrically conductive element for a short time period on disengagement of the probe.