EEVblog Electronics Community Forum
Products => Test Equipment => Topic started by: graybeard on December 11, 2018, 06:18:35 pm
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My collection of DC test leads mostly consists of 20-40 year old Pomona Electronics banana plug leads. After many years to exposure to Los Angeles are the insulation on these leads is beginning to stiffen, but is still serviceable. I will continue to use them until they begin to crack.
Some of the exposed contacts banana were oxidized, but I easily but I cleaned them nicely up by hanging the ends in my ultrasonic cleaner filled with white vinegar follwed by good rinse and drying.
I often need to make custom test leads for myself but my wire collection is almost entirely surplus Teflon insulated wire I have purchased through the years. Teflon is the best insulator, but the wire tends to be stiff and is not the best for test leads that will be used often. I also fave some old surplus spools of Belden rubber and cloth soft test lead material, but 40+ years of exposure to LA are has not done it any favors.
I recently purchased 121GW multimeter (https://www.eevblog.com/product/121gw/). Besides being a nice meter, I really like the soft silicone test leads that came with it.
My question is what brand(s) and model numbers of silicone test lead material is as nice as the ones that came with my 121GW? I want some for making my own custom leads.
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I recently got some Pomona 6733 which is 18 AWG and 10kV insulation (hands free rating). I needed something for 3+kV inside some equipment.
It is really nice silicone test lead wire, and wasn't horribly expensive.
https://www.pomonaelectronics.com/products/hardware/silicone-insulated-test-lead-wire (https://www.pomonaelectronics.com/products/hardware/silicone-insulated-test-lead-wire)
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I started using probemaster and like them. I use their leads with cal test accessories.
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The best leads I have bought by far have been the ones that Frankie sells.
I'm not sure if he is still selling them.
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I just ordered Silicone wire from China through Ebay. Probably the core isn't 100% pure copper but so far it has worked well.
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I recently picked up some inexpensive 15AWG high strand double insulated wire from Cal Test. Not a big fan of PVC. Digikey stocks it in small qty.
http://www.caltestelectronics.com/ctitem/productswirecoaxial-test-lead-wire-wire/CT2881 (http://www.caltestelectronics.com/ctitem/productswirecoaxial-test-lead-wire-wire/CT2881)
Here is some Beldon 8899 being stressed to failure:
https://youtu.be/CqDxMGs_zfg (https://youtu.be/CqDxMGs_zfg)
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Other multimeter test leads being pushed to their limits:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQowDZstguw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQowDZstguw)
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I recently got some Pomona 6733 which is 18 AWG and 10kV insulation (hands free rating). I needed something for 3+kV inside some equipment.
It is really nice silicone test lead wire, and wasn't horribly expensive.
https://www.pomonaelectronics.com/products/hardware/silicone-insulated-test-lead-wire (https://www.pomonaelectronics.com/products/hardware/silicone-insulated-test-lead-wire)
I can confirm this is very nice and flexible wire. I made many patch cables using this wire. My understanding is that Pomona is using this wire for their test leads. There are two types black (6733-0) and red (6733-2). The length is 50'.
Be careful not to confuse it with their PVC wire, 6734.
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Another +1 for the Pomona 6733 wire. I use it for making up the majority of my bespoke test leads from basic multimeter accessories up to 10kV insulation testing.
Kind regards.
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Silivolt from Staeubli (MC) is beyond reproach. And they make it in various sizes.