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Electronics => Beginners => Topic started by: Nocturnal on December 25, 2024, 11:18:29 pm

Title: I bought new Fluke TP88 Rigid Back Probe Pins and they're magnetized
Post by: Nocturnal on December 25, 2024, 11:18:29 pm

I tried measuring a resistor, and the resistor stuck to one of the probes. Is this normal behavior for these tips? What's the best way to demagnetize the tips (if it's safe to do so)?

Title: Re: I bought new Fluke TP88 Rigid Back Probe Pins and they're magnetized
Post by: TimFox on December 25, 2024, 11:25:46 pm

Try these, maybe:  https://www.mcmaster.com/products/demagnetizers/mobility~portable/demagnetizing-area-depth~1/ (https://www.mcmaster.com/products/demagnetizers/mobility~portable/demagnetizing-area-depth~1/)

Title: Re: I bought new Fluke TP88 Rigid Back Probe Pins and they're magnetized
Post by: GLouie on December 26, 2024, 06:59:58 am

Easy to magnetize steel probes with so many magnets around, even the Fluke TPAK meter hanger. I see no reason to not demagnetize (degauss), I use my old analog tape demagnetizers, such as head demagnetizers or tape erasers. An old fashioned soldering gun works, too, if it has a big heavy transformer and a way to get the item near enough to it (not the soldering gun tip). My tools often get a little magnetized, such as getting close to a loudspeaker magnet. I've never tried one of the permanent magnet devices linked.

This also means your resistors have cheaper steel wire (probably clad with copper or the like) which I think is not optimal.