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  1. #1
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    Default Suggestions on probes and clips for testing electrical stuff

    Every time I go to do some electrical troubleshooting I get frustrated as I don't have suitable leads and clips for whatever it is I'm playing with.

    I always get by, but find it really distracts from the job at hand when you have to spend 10mins hunting for something to poke into a socket or clamp to a connector while you use your other 3 hands to do stuff.

    Currently I've got a couple of different sets of standard multimeter leads, a couple of fly leads with small alligator clips on the ends and that's about it.
    Anything else usually gets fashioned up to suit the job.

    There are kits like this that look useful. I'm sure the Fluke stuff is great (unfortunately I can't justify the $$$) but worried the cheap equivalent might be dodgy.
    https://au.rs-online.com/web/p/multi...leads/0436866/
    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/8-X-Mult...item4214866722

    What suggestions do you have from experience - particularly from those who have worked in the electrical/electronics fields?

    Steve

  2. #2
    BobL is online now Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    If you are only doing the occasional testing then the budget ones will be fine.
    I have two Fluke meters so the test leads from these are my first choice but when buying more specialised budget leads I usually go for TENMA gear from element14

    The TEMNA IC clips are reasonably robust as are their regular test leads.

    I also like using these pincer test probes
    https://au.element14.com/tenma/76-06...ack/dp/2729427
    They have a much longer reach and a more positive grip than alligator clips and full retract when not in use.

    Screen Shot 2020-04-06 at 4.48.13 pm.png

  3. #3
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    Hi Steve,

    Quote Originally Posted by OxxAndBert View Post
    Every time I go to do some electrical troubleshooting I get frustrated as I don't have suitable leads and clips for whatever it is I'm playing with.

    I always get by, but find it really distracts from the job at hand when you have to spend 10mins hunting for something to poke into a socket or clamp to a connector while you use your other 3 hands to do stuff.

    Currently I've got a couple of different sets of standard multimeter leads, a couple of fly leads with small alligator clips on the ends and that's about it.
    Anything else usually gets fashioned up to suit the job.

    There are kits like this that look useful. I'm sure the Fluke stuff is great (unfortunately I can't justify the $$$) but worried the cheap equivalent might be dodgy.
    https://au.rs-online.com/web/p/multi...leads/0436866/
    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/8-X-Mult...item4214866722

    What suggestions do you have from experience - particularly from those who have worked in the electrical/electronics fields?

    Steve
    I have a pair of leads like the Ebay ones, bottom left of the picture. I just bought the clips and replaced the probes on a standard set. If I remember correctly they came from RS Components and cost about £5 for three of each colour.

    The unused ones are in a draw somewhere.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  4. #4
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    I've got the ebay ones. They do the job at an honest price point for the level of work I do. Which is usually pretty basic fault finding, on a mid-range meter.

  5. #5
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    Thanks for the info guys.

    I'll pick up a set of the ebay ones for starters, but I do like the look of the TENMA gear.
    This looks like a useful kit: https://au.element14.com/tenma/76-08...s-2/dp/3421636
    I also notice that its 1000V rated whereas the ebay ones are only 220v for the clips and hooks.

    Steve

  6. #6
    BobL is online now Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Quote Originally Posted by OxxAndBert View Post
    Thanks for the info guys.

    I'll pick up a set of the ebay ones for starters, but I do like the look of the TENMA gear.
    This looks like a useful kit: https://au.element14.com/tenma/76-08...s-2/dp/3421636
    I also notice that its 1000V rated whereas the ebay ones are only 220v for the clips and hooks.

    Steve
    The 1000V rating may seem like overkill but as all electrical equipment ages its insulation properties degrade so if they start out with a higher rating chances are that in a decade or so's time they will still be oK.

  7. #7
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    I have the Ebay type and also the original test lead set that came with my Fluke 87 - while the Ebay type are ok there are times when it is not that easy to clip the croc clips onto a test point in a confined place as you need to get you fingers in as well, the Fluke leads are a lot easier to use. I also have a set similar to the Tenma leads they are also ok but the long probes that allow clipping onto a test point from a distance have a hook that projects and clips onto a test point, there is a limit on the size the hook can clip onto, ok for electronics work but get into a mains fuse board or motor terminating box and the hook may not be big enough to clip onto a terminal or screw.

  8. #8
    BobL is online now Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Quote Originally Posted by familyguy View Post
    I also have a set similar to the Tenma leads they are also ok but the long probes that allow clipping onto a test point from a distance have a hook that projects and clips onto a test point, there is a limit on the size the hook can clip onto, ok for electronics work but get into a mains fuse board or motor terminating box and the hook may not be big enough to clip onto a terminal or screw.
    Thats why I like the TENMAs I've shown above as they use a scissor action pair of stiff wire hooks.
    The gap across the hooks is ~5mm but they will stretch to about 7mm so all accomodate a bigger range of connectors and wires than the single hook type used on electronics probes.

    IMG_4323.jpg

  9. #9
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    I have a couple of Fluke instrumentation test lead sets at work, can’t remember ever using those clip things.
    At home I have a couple of long pin lead ends, some regular test leads and a couple of sets alligator clip leads, haven’t really needed much else. Having said that, with it being my living, I try and avoid anything electrical/electronic at home if at all possible.

  10. #10
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    I must admit I haven't used the Fluke croc clip probes much, and lately have stopped using the Fluke leads altogether - they are really quite long, I haven't measured them but they must be around 1 meter long and very supple, they get tangled easily - I've switched to the lead set that came with a Jaycar multimeter very similar to the Ebay ones but a better length for use at a workbench.

  11. #11
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    Happened to see these "Parrot" clips in the Jaycar catledog today: https://www.jaycar.com.au/parrot-clips/p/WT5330

    Decent photos and video on the manufacturers website https://parrot-invent.com/

    Steve

  12. #12
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    Most of my stuff comes from Jaycar.

    When I got back into audio stuff I did pick up a set of leads that you could change the ends on. I don`t use them much anymore as I have more leads than I know what to do with.

    I like the small black-red ones that have a little hook that comes out when you press the top.

    The ones with the two wires that come out (as mentioned above) are good because of the length but I have had trouble getting them off without shorting leads if they are close.

    DSC06788 e.jpg

    One of my cheap multimeters came with leads that have covers that clip on or off the probes. I like these. Very handy for probing in tight places.
    Would like to buy some better quality ones one day.

    DSC06792e.jpg

    Tony

  13. #13
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    I, like many, have a collection of multimeters and probes that I've built up over the decades. Out of all the different probes, I probably most often use those Jaycar Parrot probes, and the combo probes on my 87V - they're a normal pointy probe that slips into an alligator clip, so you can quickly switch between clipping on or probing.

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