Multi meters cables & options - Market News

[Kiriakos-GR]

Prologue

In this thread you can add any information, that you have find or will find ,
about new brands or products, like cables  - leads - probes - crocks - or any sensor related to Multi meters.
This thread its not made by having in mind product comparisons, about quality or pricing.

Its just an quick view , of the current offerings at 2010.

You can add the description , of a "new" product by writing :  
Brand - specs - compatibility - manufacturer web link - pictures.  

No links for retailers - or mega stores .
The main idea are, that all of us, we will act mainly as reporters,
and gain a wider view of the world wide market , products and compatibility.    

  

[Kiriakos-GR]

Subject :  Compatible cables for Fluke .

Just found , that Fluke  owns the UK based  ROBIN,
ROBIN are one UK based manufacturer with wide range of products , assembled in UK.
The Robin cables are compatible with the Fluke ones . ( Banana Type )

Kewtech also has products using the same ( Banana Type )

[EEVblog]

Just found , that Fluke  owns the UK based  ROBIN,

Actually it's the evil Danaher group that own Fluke, Robin and Tektronix.

Dave.

[Kiriakos-GR]

Subject : Product identification .

The few and pride manufacturers , always put their logo on their parts.
First example  the German hirschmann  
http://www.hirschmann.com/en/

Part sample with logo .

[Kiriakos-GR]

Subject : Product identification .

The Chinese CHI-SHING , one good example of Asian manufacturers , proud for their goods.
http://www.chi-shing.cn/en/index.asp 

Product sample..

[Kiriakos-GR]

Subject : Product information

The UK based “ Gunson “ automotive parts
77019 | Multi Meter Accessory Set
Currently has available one set, with three cable extensions ( 3m )  - probes & accessories.
Very acceptable quality , and It should be , as this set has as target group the automotive professionals.

http://www.gunsontools.co.uk/item.aspx?cat=663&item=3446
 

[Kiriakos-GR]

Subject : Brand information

Discover the Giant from France ..  Legrand   www.legrandelectric.com

In the products range you will find specialized fuses too  

[Kiriakos-GR]

Subject : Part identification .

Thermocouple Probe Type: K

There is few informations about them .
Still the industry for years separates the  K probes with the name as TP .


TP-01 Type K Thermocouple Probe
Suitable for measuring temperature of the air
Temperature measuring from -50 to 250°C
Probe is 200 cm (length)
Connector pins : the positive(+) is 2.8mm(wide) & negative(-) is 3.2mm(wide)
Accuracy : < 250°C ± 1.5°C


TP2 Type K Handhold Surface Thermocouple
Suitable for measuring temperature of the air steam, liquid or metal.
Temperature measuring from -50 to 400°C, Max. up to 700°C
Probe is stainless steel : 3mm(D) x 75mm(L)
Accuracy : < 400°C ± 2.5°C or ± 0.75%

Surface Temperature Probe (TP03)
(-50 TO 500°C)



The main issue with all those low priced ones are the durability.
I have found also and expensive ones , made in Japan.
They have high quality construction, and they are named to comply with the Class 2 accuracy standards specified within the Japanese Industrial Standard JIS C1602-1995.
( brand Anritsu Japan  -50~800º C )

The highest range in the average priced ones, are about 1000 Celsius to 1090 Celsius.
The highest  range , are for special use , far from our common needs.  

" This days I was In need to get, a better one than the TP-01 , so to be able to check the temperature of my soldering station too.
Got  2X TP-01 as spares , and one TP-02 the one pictured bellow. "

At this point I will offer one buying Tip !!
Stay away of the ones that looks like the "TP-02" and have as specs the 300 Celsius,
they use poor materials, metal robe and plastic handle .
The true TP-02 goes Max to 750 Celsius.
So its designed to survive with out issues at the nominal 400 Celsius.

( If you buying from Ebay, prefer the specialized sellers,
that mainly sells temperature probes and sensors)      

    

[Kiriakos-GR]

Subject : Product information

Multifunction Voltage Testers
UNI-T UT-15C

Looks as the latest upgraded Mains tester or Volt-stick ? that Possibly some people call it.

This style of tools , belongs to the Practical ones :
1) easy to use
2) light weight
3) one hand measurement = quick test
4) electricians favor those most

The reason of this post are because the latest  UNI-T UT-15C comes also with LCD display, other than just LED .

If you check the UNI-T product page , you will find the detailed specs.
http://www.uni-trend.com/UT15C.html#

The best part its the price ... near to 20 EUR or 30$ .

And if you do plan getting one , its best to avoid the older ones with out the LCD screen,
mostly because the latest with the older ones (UT15A - UT15B) , looks to be equally priced.

Found one close up picture on ebay , and here it is .  

Product manual - not in English yet
http://www.uni-trend.com.cn/download/UT15ABC%20%E4%BD%BF%E7%94%A8%E6%89%8B%E5%86%8C%28%E4%B8%AD%E6%96%87%E7%89%88%29.pdf

[Kiriakos-GR]

Subject : Dangerous Product .

Recently the American Army started to clean their depots , and lots of old " New in condition" stock,
started to be liquidated .

In those are this  "Military specs"  multimeter Leads Kit ..  pictured bellow.

This product mostly called as unsafe , because the accessories are not covered with any insulation,
the probes are old style.
And they are dangerous if you use them at anything like measuring Mains ( 120 - 220V )

The Army looks that got the new ones ... act smart and do the same .  

[Kiriakos-GR]

Subject : Silent Product upgrade by FLUKE about TPAK .

Just got today my own TPAK from UK, in all the excitement about getting it,
I missed one interesting change , even if it was pictured from the ebay seller.

Fluke replaced in "one night " the TPAK  main plastic clip with a new design ,
and if we compare the two side by side the reason is obvious !!
( The first version can easily break off , and the new one uses two support points, so to not break off )

If you ever think getting one, now you know what to avoid ..  

Pictures
1) Original version
2) The upgraded one

 
  

[Kiriakos-GR]

Subject : buying tip for FLUKE accessories

Today I got my own AC72 crocks set , that found on ebay in a sweet price.

Half of my joy moved away, by realizing that those parts are made by soft rubber , and mostly because the production date was at 2002 .
Even if the product came sealed and unused, if you do not aware the storage conditions,
or the life time before aging  of an such a product "made by rubber" , you will have one good reason to worry about.

All Fluke accessories comes with the production date printed at the back , as in the picture below.
In those , the ones made by plastic does have the longest shelf life , with the silicone type ones to come second, but the rubber ones !!  are the most sensitive.

Practically the set that I got looks to be perfect, no even a small sign of aging, other than some signs that this rubber needs a soft touch of Vaseline so to regain the shiny look of the fresh rubber.

So the buying tip are :    For the specific item, just go for the fresh ones by date.     





.

[Kiriakos-GR]

Subject : Product information

It Looks that 3M got silently in the probes manufacturing,
but not generic ones .. just specialized. (Test clips and accessories )

I was looking for something like in the pictures below,
and got them on ebay (7.50 EUR) , because they was looking as what I had in mind, plus was branded !!
I would never get no name ones.

Afterwards I got at the 3M site for verification, and found info and the catalog .  

PDF
http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebserver?mwsId=SSSSSu7zK1fslxtUnxtGox_Sev7qe17zHvTSevTSeSSSSSS--

# Vendor - 3M
# A pair - Black and Red
# Length 55.62mm
# Termination - Solder
# Type - Hook, Mini


( The plan is one home made cable set, male bananas with rubbered ends,
plus those two at the other end, 1.2 M long cable , compatible with any DMM & AMM that I own)  

Pictures :
  

[Kiriakos-GR]

Subject : buying tip

LCD protectors ..  
We have all starting to use them on mobile phones , PDA's , digital cameras , etc etc .
Why not on your multimeter LCD ?

Very few, they do what they say, as specs.
Especially of about be resistant to scratches.

So I will just suggest few tips :
1) Select from the ones that are suggested for digital cameras.
2) Do not select anything that is suggested for devices with soft tough screen.
3) Buy many ... the installation its the hard part..
( even the smallest grain of dust it will cause an air bubble , and you have to damp the protector, and try another one , by cleaning again the surface)

I got from ebay  two deferent brands, by just looking product specs - feedback of happy customers- and at the end , that I had spotted the worthy product, started looking for sellers with the lowest prices.

So I can now tell, that the ones made by Pisen   and by 3MP ,
are made with good standards, and qualify as protectors.

If you find equally good products from other brands , just post the link.  

  

[Kiriakos-GR]

Subject :Brands & transformations  

Are you aware of Amprobe ?  
Did you know that is actually the German BEHA, behind it ...
BEHA who ?    BEHA = UNITEST .

Well if you type in your  browser ebay.de , and despite the German letters do a search for BEHA,
you will get lots of results  with high quality  DMM probes  ,  accessories & multimeters.

The old BEHA keeps their flag up, only at their site in the German language,
if you select English language , you get exclusively the  " Amprobe logo "  .

http://www.amprobe.eu/de_DE/

[EEVblog]

Subject :Brands & transformations  

Are you aware of Amprobe ?  

Amprobe are owned by the Danaher Group, who also own Fluke and Tektronix.

So Fluke and Amprobe are essentially the one company, but they do have different design and manufacturing groups.

Dave.

[Kiriakos-GR]

Subject :Product clone ..

Nothing interesting of finding product clones .... but here I found that some one started to make clones,
even from the Amprobe  products, that currently likes to be called as  " value for Money " ..  

Amprobe looks to have one complete Leads set called as :
Cat III 1000 V Sharp Test Leads with Alligator Clips 1000V CAT III, MTL-500

Kit Includes
# MTL-100 Double insulated Silicon Test Leads
# MTL-101 Sharp Test Probes
# MTL-102 Fully Insulated Alligator Clips

First picture the Original ...
Second picture the Clone ... priced at 1/3  of the original.



  

[Kiriakos-GR]

Subject : Product information

One interesting  " Electronic Test Lead Kit " TL809   (2008-2009) By EXTECH

Other than the interesting accessories , its the sweet price at less than 20$

Data sheet  http://www.extech.com/instruments/resources/datasheets/TL809data.pdf 

    * Two 42" (1m) PVC lead extensions with shrouded banana plugs at both ends
    * Two modular 4" (102mm) Heavy Duty test probe handles with 0.16" (4mm) banana plug tip
    * Two plunger mini-hooks
    * Two alligator clips with removable insulators
    * Includes 3-compartment sealable nylon pouch to organize/protect your test leads

[alm]

The choice depends on what type of work you do. Almost all of my work is low-power electronics, so a large-pitch device would be something like TO-220, and fine-pitch would be 0603 resistors and TQFP/SSOP IC's, or if you're lucky DFN. Those huge probes would probably short five pins at once. I'm much more worried about getting proper contact with the right pin without shorting anything than getting shocked from the 3.3V from a lab supply or small wall wart, so I dislike huge industrial probes. I don't really see the point of modular probes with 4mm tips, except that they sort-of fit in European sockets (Fluke have a set that really fits). If you want to connect it to a 4mm jack, just take off the probe. The probe usually fits poorly in many 4mm jacks because the tip sticks out.

[allanw]

Not sure if this is the intention of the thread, but I just got these which were super cheap:

20A Premium Fluke type Clamp Multimeter Probe Test Lead
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200471769049&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_1451wt_1137

SMD Test Clip Meter Probe Multimeter Tweezer
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280485825223&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_3577wt_911

Obviously I won't be trusting them for any high voltage work but I bet they'll do perfectly fine for just electronics testing.

[Kiriakos-GR]

the intention of the thread

Its written on the page 1  First Post !!  

You can add  seller links in here ..   https://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php?board=7.0

As about the options for modular Kit , are unlimited ... In the first page are " just probes"  with nice thin nose.

The 4mm probes , can be used as banana plugs for test equipment,
that does measurements above the 10Amps mark .  

@allanw
Be aware , that those leads are the lowest quality ever !!
Be aware , that this  SMT Tweezer its worthless for mini SMT components .

I am just a poor Greek , but I know where to put my few cash.
Got them yesterday ( from ebay 30% less than the shops)  

[allanw]

@allanw
Be aware , that those leads are the lowest quality ever !!
Be aware , that this  SMT Tweezer its worthless for mini SMT components .

I am just a poor Greek , but I know where to put my few cash.
Got them yesterday ( from ebay 30% less than the shops)  

I'm aware that the quality will be pretty crappy, but it's not like much can go wrong probing low power circuits...

How much were the genuine Fluke leads?

[saturation]

I agree!  Low power apps, no worries!  For $3,  worth a risk.  Allanw, why not review those products for us when you get them?  It should answer a lot of theoretical questions.

Thanks for the link.  I'm considering them too.  I have no real SMD tools.

Not sure if this is the intention of the thread, but I just got these which were super cheap:

20A Premium Fluke type Clamp Multimeter Probe Test Lead
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200471769049&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_1451wt_1137

SMD Test Clip Meter Probe Multimeter Tweezer
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280485825223&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_3577wt_911

Obviously I won't be trusting them for any high voltage work but I bet they'll do perfectly fine for just electronics testing.

[Kiriakos-GR]

Subject : Terminology  

Even if my mouth likes to call it as S.M.D. = Surface  Mount  Disaster  

The correct Terminology are :   S.M.T. = Surface  Mount  Technology    

Subject : Mini reviews  
Are always welcome , even some of the products that are demonstrated here ,
are parts of my tools.
I did research before buying , there are several threads in the forum.
But   ...  I am just demonstrating them here as options, and nothing more.


Subject : FLUKE International Pricing    

Unfortunately , the FLUKE (US ) Mother company, looks to not feed well the International partners,
by lowering  the Neto Price on exports ..

Unfortunately  The European partners must add  extra Euros as profit , extra taxes,
and the final  price  for the main Distributor in EU , goes like   US Price  in Euro-Dollars .
But the ball still moves .... the  retailer will add another 35%  above that ..  

One Sweet Example ...   Fluke 87-5   360 US $ ( Fluke site )
Major Greek Distributor  ....  Fluke 87-5  plus the TPAK Belt as special offer   360 Euro
Currency exchange last 6 months    1 EUR  =  1.40$ US  
FLUKE  Retail  257 EUR in USA
 360 Euro - 257 = 103 Euro = 144$  Just to came in Europe.
 
Greek  Neto   360 EUR  + VAT ( 21% ) 75.6 = 435.60
Greek Retail   360 EUR  +  20% Profit( 72 EUR) = 432 + VAT (21%) =  522 EUR  
522 EUR  local retail price ...  = 730 US Dollars

The same crime happens in all European Union ...

And my solution to all this ....
Got the instrument from (eBay)  Honolulu   6 months old with TP88 Probes  = 183 EUR  Shipped ( to Uncle Kiriakos No Tax )
TPAK Strap from UK  ( No carton Box but New  ) Buy Now =  22 EUR Shipped
AC72  Alligators  UK  ( Old stock but New ) Buy Now = 12 EUR  Shipped
C25   Original soft case   from  US ( "New" ) Buy Now =  32 EUR Shipped
TL71  Premium probes  UK  ( New old stock )  Auction = 20 EUR  Shipped
K probe adapter banana and one K probe 750 Celsius ( China ) = 7 EUR Shipped

The total =  276 EUR = 386$
And Crazy enough ,  got one Aluminum hard case for it (universal use) 25 EUR ( Better than the Fluke)  
And one BNC female to dual banana adapter = 3.70 EUR

I do not know how Fluke are going to do business in Europe,
but with this status , only the Crazy Kiriakos who wasted lots of days sniping all those goods,
managed to get them ( collect them )  with the smaller possible cost.

I was not aware of all those details prior getting the multimeter, but afterwards I had to dance all the way , as we say in Greece..
And all this, Because I love good tools , and I like, the instrument to have all the extras ,
and be a pleasure to work with it ...

I favor any branded products , behind them, are one proud manufacturer.  

So do me the favor, and do not add in this thread products that the manufacturers of them.
Hides them selfs, in anonymity , offering products of 1 $ worth.

Love ya all , and regards..  

[Kiriakos-GR]

No more thunders today from the Greek"y" God Zeus,
there is always the danger ,
the CAT III on the  Fluke,
to not handle the over voltage and blow the expensive fuses ..