Multimeter probe slipage

[obiwanjacobi]

Just made nasty mistake where I slipped of a pad with my multimeter probe and caused a short - blowing up a diode in the power supply section (and maybe more)...

I know probes should be sharp so they dig in a bit and prevent this sort of thing - I will look into that. Meantime I was wondering if there are techniques or (tips and) tricks that could help me with this.

Thanx!
Marc

[Lightages]

For close spaces and close pins you should use different probes. There are many available with only the end points exposed. Other than that, use stand or helping hand to position the probe or use extreme care. You can also tape off the areas you don't wan to accidentally touch.

[mij59]

Hirschmann has some nice probes, http://nl.farnell.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?st=HIRSCHMANN&catalogId=15001&categoryId=700000005712&langId=31&storeId=10168

[rqsall]

I have two pairs of those. I've hurt myself on them. Dangerously sharp, when you grab them, make sure you approach them on the safe side...

[Nerull]

I have a set of Probemaster spring loaded micro probes which do a much better job of staying in place on fine pads than my standard fluke leads. Pomona makes a similar product, but I haven't used them.

[electr_peter]

Standard multimeter leads (designed for multi-purpose use) have very wide finger guards. These guards effectively prevent you from probing 2 close points on the circuit.
Get some smaller leads with smaller guards or no guards and very sharp (preferably spring loaded) tips for PCB probing.

[nanofrog]

You might want to look into spring loaded/pogo probes as well (example).

[rx8pilot]

My super high-tech solution to probe holding on circuits that will die if I slip.

[retiredcaps]

Just made nasty mistake where I slipped of a pad with my multimeter probe and caused a short - blowing up a diode in the power supply section (and maybe more)...

If your hand slipped because you moved your head to look at the lcd display, there are some multimeters that will freeze a stable reading and then beep.  Fluke calls this touch or autohold.  Others have similar capabilities.

[obiwanjacobi]

Thanx everyone.

I took the tips to a piece of 400 grit sandpaper and they are a lot better (sharper) now.
I will also isolate part of the exposed shaft - that is an excellent tip.

I was trying to measure the input voltage on a 7805 while the circuit was mounted and hooked up (its a guitar amp so needed speaker load). The whole contraption was in a bit awkward position - beyond that I am not sure what caused me to slip...

[codeboy2k]

If your hand slipped because you moved your head to look at the lcd display, there are some multimeters that will freeze a stable reading and then beep.  Fluke calls this touch or autohold.  Others have similar capabilities.

Turning to look at the LCD is usually when I slip a probe.  I started using the auto-hold feature more and more as pin pitches got smaller and smaller.

I saw a cool probe holder that a guy was using at a show once, it was a table top unit, an adjustable pc board hold-down and two or more X-Y pen plotter like things that could hold multiple probes vertically on the board underneath.  The x-y probe holders were moved manually and placed where needed.
 
EDIT: +1 for Probe Master probes.  I have Probe Master probes.  These are the sharpest tips I have ever seen on a probe.

[nanofrog]

EDIT: +1 for Probe Master probes.  I have Probe Master probes.  These are the sharpest tips I have ever seen on a probe.

Same here. The SMD/pogo versions are so sharp in fact, you can draw blood without even feeling it pierce your skin (single point tips).     

[VK5RC]

I swear by these little fellas, if need be you can bend the shaft by 30degrees or so, they can fit in-between cards . great for locking onto DIP pins esp if the IC is a long way in and the circuit is hot. Repairing a HP 6644A recently has the   " joys" of the heatsink is at 110V DC above ground.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Set-of-8-Tektronix-Tek-SMG-KlipChip-Adapter-Surface-Mount-IC-Grabber-Clips-/291358216975?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43d64d930f

[nanofrog]

Found this dial indicator holder that might be of interest for a longer reach.