Use of banana to BNC adapter on power supplies

• Use of banana to BNC adapter on power supplies
  Posted by petert on 23 Jan, 2020 02:49
• Hi,
  
  Some power supplies don't have the right spacing to fit a banana plug pair to bnc adapter. I found alternatives that use cables, such that the spacing of the binding posts does not matter.
  
  To know how that would affect the result (rigidly shaped "box" adapter vs. flexible cable adapter): why would you need such an adapter in the first place? What kind of measurements would you want to do that required it?
  
  And what are the tradeoffs of the two kind of adapters above, or possibly other solutions, where you just use an oscilloscope probe directly?
  
  Are there other uses for such adapters, beyond using them on power supplies (e.g., to measure ripple current)?
• #1 Reply
  Posted by hexreader on 23 Jan, 2020 02:59
• Most multimeters have standard spacing that suit BNC adapters. Convenient sometimes for voltage measurements, and probably the most obvious use.
  
  Those adapters are poorly suited to Power use, but can be used for low currents.
  
  Be aware that some (cheaper) BNC connectors give intermittent screen connection.
• #2 Reply
  Posted by petert on 10 Jun, 2020 20:24
• Thanks, and why would use something like this:
  https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/090AAOSw9yJbmgyQ/s-l500.jpg
  
  What's the point of connecting banana plugs to an oscilloscope instead of just using the scope probes, which will likely give better results?
  
  
  And why would you use this on a power supply, since it can't handle any large current with bnc/coax?
  https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/KfsAAOSw1DtXGcKJ/s-l500.jpg
• #3 Reply
  Posted by hexreader on 10 Jun, 2020 20:44
• My random thoughts - worth what you paid for them (nothing)...
  
  

  Quote

  What's the point of connecting banana plugs to an oscilloscope instead of just using the scope probes, which will likely give better results?
  

  Sometimes banana leads are more convenient and good enough for low frequencies, such as measuring power supply ripple. Connecting a scope probe to recessed 4mm sockets might be tricky and unreliable. 4mm leads give solid, reliable connections (though the adaptor may make your setup less reliable).
  
  

  Quote

  why would you use this on a power supply, since it can't handle any large current with bnc/coax?

  I would not use this adaptor for high currents or where reliability is important. I do use these for quick and dirty power supply connections at low currents, but I am occasionally disappointed when connection is intermittent.
  
  I use the cheap adaptors. Maybe the branded, high price adaptors are better?   Not rich enough to have tried them.
  
  YMMV
• #4 Reply
  Posted by petert on 10 Jun, 2020 20:56
• Thanks, your thoughts were definitely valuable, even if free
  
  Measuring power supply ripple makes a lot of sense.
  
  If anyone else can mention other applications, I'd be curious.