General > General Technical Chat
Problem with New Multimeter Test Leads
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Boris_yo:
Hello. I have replaced stock multimeter test leads with generic ones that have silicone cords. The problem is that they don't fully plug in as you will notice in the video where I attempt to force in red plug to be able to get continuity:

https://streamable.com/3u1knx

The old ones have plugs with the length of 2.8cm and the new ones are 3.5cm:



I also don't understand why upon shaking test leads I get sudden readings that spike and drop back to zero. Is it due to bad connection or they are faulty?

https://streamable.com/u9k3i6

How would I go about cutting plugs' sleeves around conductors to make sure they fit properly and stay in place without overdoing it? Which delicate tool should I use to cut them?
coppice:
Test leads with shrouded 4mm plugs are not built to a formal standard. The sizes used to be all over the place, and you generally had to use the leads from the equipment manufacturer. Equipment and leads made in the last few years have pretty much settled on compatible measurements, so the compatibility problems have mostly gone away for anything new. There is still some funky stuff, like plugs which do not have a plastic tip on the pin, so you can still touch it when the plug is out. There are also plugs with a retracting shroud, so if the shroud won't fit down the hole it just gets pushed back. Those often fail to completely shroud the metal when inserted.
HwAoRrDk:
Yes, I got some generic multimeter leads one time that had shrouds too long to fit in my meter. I just used a knife to trim the shrouds shorter, by slicing circumferentially. Didn't measure, just trial and error - cut a bit, check, cut a bit more.
EPAIII:
There are good quality, replacement test leads available. Here's one source.

https://probemaster.com/8000-series-test-leads-only/

I am selling refurbished meters and was so impressed with the Probe Master leads that I am supplying them with each meter that I sell. I also use them on my own meters. I am not an employee of Probe Master nor have any connection to them other than as a customer.

I am sure there are other quality brands of replacement test leads available.
VK3DRB:

--- Quote from: EPAIII on November 13, 2022, 06:40:43 am ---There are good quality, replacement test leads available. Here's one source.

https://probemaster.com/8000-series-test-leads-only/
...


--- End quote ---

They are good except for two things... they have protective shrouds and cannot be piggybacked. A pain in the arse. Pomona, Fluke and HCK leads have those blasted shrouds on them. On some older equipment, the shrouds get in the way so you cannot plug them in. And I cannot piggyback leads. When I get around to it, I will 3D print an adapter to allow paralleling of leads and let shrouded leads to connect to old equipment.
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