Multi meter test leads

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I have a basic set of Pomona test leads but I'm looking for a bit more. I'd like an automotive set of leads like alligator clips, needle probes, etc. But I'd like a good set. Any ideas?

 

[AngryBeaver]

I'll be the one to say it... fluke or nothin

 

[Tallpilot]

I'll be the one to say it... fluke or nothin

Fluke bought Pomona in 1998...

https://www.aeswave.com/Basic-Probe-Kit-p8559.html

https://www.aeswave.com/Pro-Test-Lead-Kit-p9019.html

 

[AngryBeaver]

Fluke bought Pomona in 1998...

and.....

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Fluke bought Pomona in 1998...

But the lead sets look totally different. I didn't know if anybody besides those two made decent or better leads.

 

[pstemari]

Well, I believe that Fluke leads are actually made by Pomona.

Fluke does make leads kits that are directly intended for automotive work:

TL82 adapters for proving plugs and sockets:
.https://www.fluke.com/en-us/product/accessories/automotive/fluke-tl82

TLK281 and TLK282 general automotive lead kits:

https://www.fluke.com/en-us/product/accessories/kits/fluke-tlk281

https://www.fluke.com/en-us/product/accessories/kits/fluke-tlk282

The TLK282 includes some pin adapters for sockets, but not everything that the TL82 set includes.


Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[2ndGearRubber]

For me, most silicone leads do just fine.

https://www.aeswave.com/Automotive-Test-Lead-Kit-p9121.html I have these on my meter. They came with my ESI meter kit.



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ASX4O4Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I vastly prefer meter leads with raw banana leads, over dedicated "ends". That way you can swap between my standard needle backprobes, gators, connector leads, etc. Or just stack leads if you need a long reach.

I have this brand too, nice and supple.

 

[Dingleburry]

These are my fav leads.
Fluke TL238 SureGrip Test Lead Set for High Energy
Can get different ends seperate. The leads are silicone.
$$$ but they feel safe poking around 600v. Also they dont fit in normal outlets in the house.
I have about 6 or 7 other sets of leads and clamp/dmm and i use these 90% of time.

Oh the tlk282 set above has these leads. Without extenders.

 

[Bobioz1]

Fluke tl27 leads and set of tp74 probes. Gators from everywhere. Needles from AESwave.

 

[californiaHank]

ProbeMaster is another one to look at. Quality stuff, made in southern California.

https://probemaster.com/automotive-test-leads/

 

[Fluelikesymptoms]

Following because this is something I have planned for the future. I will add that rabid badger also recommended the probemasters and I've seen them mentioned many many times so I'm sure their good leads. With that said...

That fluke tlk282 has really got my attention. I like it comes with 5 of the needle back probes, but also that micro piercing clamp style lead is awesome. I can think of a few cases it would have been helpful to have.

I'll probably end up with the fluke set myself. I am currently using the gold plated brymen leads my meter came with and they are great as well. I know fluke has the shrouded banana plug temperature leads that alot of people like, agian I have the brymen temp ones and they are excellent as well

 

[Professional Tool User]

I'll be the one to say it... fluke or nothin

Fluke leads for how expensive they are have the cheapest possible insulating material. Breaks way too easily.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Fluke leads for how expensive they are have the cheapest possible insulating material. Breaks way too easily.

Is this a fact? I've had good luck with my Pomona leads. The leads that came with my fluke 179 were pure garbage in my opinion, I stuck them with my cheap meter

 

[AngryBeaver]

Is this a fact? I've had good luck with my Pomona leads. The leads that came with my fluke 179 were pure garbage in my opinion, I stuck them with my cheap meter

the ones that come with the basic meters are cheaper.


the 87 and up meters come with upgraded leads

I like the grey silicon leads for 99% of my power generation work. when I get into doing DC wiring and plugs, I use the master electronic kit.

I also have a set of snap on back probes that I have not been able to find by any other manufacture. they clip onto any standard lead.

I use a meter about 6 hours every day. leads are consumable items. the cheaper meters come with cheaper leads. if you do any work out in the elements or maintenance work with temp extremes, i highly recommend the double silicone (grey) leads

 

[MattT]

Is this a fact?

No it's BS.

The leads that came with my fluke 179 were pure garbage in my opinion, I stuck them with my cheap meter

Do they have Fluke stamped into them?

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

No it's BS.







Do they have Fluke stamped into them?

No, they say Pomona on them. They came with cat iv caps, alligator clips and needle probes

 

[Professional Tool User]

Is this a fact? I've had good luck with my Pomona leads. The leads that came with my fluke 179 were pure garbage in my opinion, I stuck them with my cheap meter

Don't get me wrong, fluke leads make excellent contact with whatever you are trying to measure off of. However, I've had two sets of fluke leads where the insulation broke. I got so pissed to the point I ordered probe master ones. The silicone material on those are so much more pliable.

 

[mikebaker1129]

Don't get me wrong, fluke leads make excellent contact with whatever you are trying to measure off of. However, I've had two sets of fluke leads where the insulation broke. I got so pissed to the point I ordered probe master ones. The silicone material on those are so much more pliable.

I have been considering a set of Probe master leads for a fluke meter.
Which set did you order?
How have they held up compared to the Fluke leads ?

 

[Fly YX]

ProbeMaster is another one to look at. Quality stuff, made in southern California.

https://probemaster.com/automotive-test-leads/

My fluke meter is pretty old. Got a set of the probe masters I really like them they are very sharp. I definitely would get another set for my other meter. Have never tried the new fluke leads though.

 

[mikebaker1129]

Which set of Probe master leads did you purchase?

 

[Fly YX]

The 8000 series.

 

[Professional Tool User]

I have been considering a set of Probe master leads for a fluke meter.
Which set did you order?
How have they held up compared to the Fluke leads ?

I went with the 8000 series leads. If you plan on ordering, go onto their website and double check that whatever you are buying is compatible. I haven't used the leads that much, but overall I am very happy. The tips are as sensitive if not more sensitive than the basic Fluke ones. Insulation breaking at the plug end of the lead is going to be far less likely with how flexible the leads are.

 

[californiaHank]

I've got a bit of everything -

Pomona 5519A - for general electrical work. The probes are like the standard leads that come with most Fluke meters, but the wire is silicone instead of the vinyl used in Fluke's cheapest leads, so they're a good upgrade. I've used them for a long time without problems.

I've also got a bunch of specialty accessories from Pomona - Leads with mini-grabbers on them, push-on alligator clip adapters, and leads with pin probes on one end that that fit in Euro style multi-pin automotive sockets. I think that if I was starting from scratch and was mainly doing automotive work, I'd buy the Pomona modular leads instead of the standard ones, and would then choose a selection of special purpose tips for them. I think Pomona makes more special-purpose probes for automotive use than anyone else.

Probemaster 8017S - for electronics work. The probes are a bit shorter than standard Flukes, and the tips are gold plated and have quite sharp points. These are my favourites for probing pc boards and generally anywhere stuff is tightly packed.

Probemaster also makes modular test leads (9100 series) that are similar to Pomona's. I haven't used them, but I'd give them a look because I like my 8000 series ones a lot. I think that most Pomona, Fluke, and Probemaster automotive specialty tips for modular leads are interchangeable, so you can mix and match between the different manufacturers.

 

[MattT]

No, they say Pomona on them. They came with cat iv caps, alligator clips and needle probes

They ain't factory 179 leads unless something's changed. Was the meter new or used?

Probemaster also makes modular test leads (9100 series) that are similar to Pomona's. I haven't used them, but I'd give them a look because I like my 8000 series ones a lot. I think that most Pomona, Fluke, and Probemaster automotive specialty tips for modular leads are interchangeable, so you can mix and match between the different manufacturers.

Pretty much all the modular stuff is 4mm banana & interchangeable.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

They ain't factory 179 leads unless something's changed. Was the meter new or used?







Pretty much all the modular stuff is 4mm banana & interchangeable.

Oh. I thought you were talking about my leads I bought before I got this meter. I'm pretty sure the ones that came with it are stamped fluke. The jacket on the wire is so plasticky it feels like a bread tie when you try to straighten it lol

 

[mikebaker1129]

Thanks !
I ordered 3 sets of the 8000 series probe master leads 48" in length.
The price on these USA made sets were less than I paid for my last set of cheap Fluke leads which were $23 or so on Amazon. They turned gooey and sticky. The 1st Fluke leads I purchased 25-26 years ago seemed to be better quality than the last 3 sets I have purchased!
I have no doubt the 8000 series will be better than the **** I have been using!

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I love the idea/design behind the fluke TLK282, the Pomona equivalent is a bit different. And probemaster doesn't have the back probe pins

 

[MattT]

Oh. I thought you were talking about my leads I bought before I got this meter. I'm pretty sure the ones that came with it are stamped fluke. The jacket on the wire is so plasticky it feels like a bread tie when you try to straighten it lol

I thought we were talking about the "pure garbage" leads that came with your 179

I love the idea/design behind the fluke TLK282, the Pomona equivalent is a bit different. And probemaster doesn't have the back probe pins

You're probably overcomplicating this trying to get everything you want, and probably **** you don't need, in one package deal. Get a basic 4mm modular set you like the look of, then add whatever else you need to it. Pretty much any attachment is available seperately. It'll cost you about $25 for a bag of 10 Pomona backprobe pins if you decide to go the Probemaster route.

 

[backroad]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3SEDNA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This set has worked fine for me and I use them quite a bit for work during plant and harvest season. I have mine paired with a Fluke meter and everything works great. Much cheaper than Fluke branded leads as well.

 

[Davefr]

You can never have too many test leads. Start with a basic Fluke TL81A kit. After that add a Westward 1EKN6A 62 pc kit. Now get some of this style alligator clips. They penetrate insulation but the insulation heals itself after the clip is removed!! I'm not sure who makes them but they're a lifesaver.

 

[MattT]

Now get some of this style alligator clips. They penetrate insulation but the insulation heals itself after the clip is removed!! I'm not sure who makes them but they're a lifesaver.

That style are normally found on telephone/networking test gear. Looks like Probemaster make them for DMMs.

https://probemaster.com/bed-of-nails-test-leads/

And if you're going to start stabbing wires get a can of liquid electrical tape and use it even if the insulation looks like it's healed itself.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I always just assumed buying a kit was cheaper than piecing together a kit

 

[theoldwizard1]

Pomona 6530 - Amazon $137

Expensive but probably the best quality out there ! The Pomona wire piercing probes are fantastic. The screw down so they won't come off.

If you are putting together a kit, buy a Pomona 6252 Test Lead Coupler set or maybe even 2 to extend your leads or to grab battery positive and negative. The get 2 sets of 6' (or longer) patch cords. (I like the Pomona stackable patch cords)

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Pomona 6530 - Amazon $137

Expensive but probably the best quality out there ! The Pomona wire piercing probes are fantastic. The screw down so they won't come off.

If you are putting together a kit, buy a Pomona 6252 Test Lead Coupler set or maybe even 2 to extend your leads or to grab battery positive and negative. The get 2 sets of 6' (or longer) patch cords. (I like the Pomona stackable patch cords)

I was looking at that set. Fluke has similar for $50 more but I don't know if they lock as you describe

 

[theoldwizard1]

I was looking at that set. Fluke has similar for $50 more but I don't know if they lock as you describe

The wire piercing probes are the same.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

The wire piercing probes are the same.

Fluke tlk282?

 

[MattT]

I always just assumed buying a kit was cheaper than piecing together a kit

Probably cheaper if you need, and like, everything in the kit.

I was looking at that set.

Perfect example. The 4 things on the left between the regular probes & alligators are filler you'll likely never use.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

That style are normally found on telephone/networking test gear. Looks like Probemaster make them for DMMs.

https://probemaster.com/bed-of-nails-test-leads/

And if you're going to start stabbing wires get a can of liquid electrical tape and use it even if the insulation looks like it's healed itself.

Or just don't stab wires in the first place. Use an amp clamp if you're that uninterested in tapping in correctly. IMO piercing insulation is the definition of "hack" work. I've fixed so many wires that "self healed" years before.

---------------------------------------------------------


If you want to be a true test lead boss.

https://www.aeswave.com/uTest-Advanced-Terminal-Test-Kit-p9715.html

 

[signcrafter]

Sometimes you have to stab wires and then seal with liquid electrical tape but most of the time you can back probe and not worry about that. Guys that just poke wires wherever and whenever usually don't give a **** about sealing up the wire. Very seldom do I pierce a wire. And if those alligator clips pierce the insulation to test a wire it does not "heal itself". They may be small pokes and you may not see the holes after you pull them out but they are still there and moisture can still get in.

As for test leads, you can never ever have enough. I have the westward kit mentioned above. I was actually the one that found that on ebay and shared it a few years ago. Was a great deal and I use mine all the time. Any electrical issue and I grab my fluke 87 and that lead kit. Covers almost any electrical issue there is.

I do have a drawer full of other test leads that I either bought or made. I have a couple rolls of silicone wire that I use to make jumpers and extensions and other specialty leads. Also have a ton of different 4mm banana ends to make my own stuff.

If I was to start fresh I would buy the kit 2ndgearrubber posted. You want back probes, alligator clips, and all the spade and round male and female adapters and you can test pretty much anything.

 

[theoldwizard1]

https://www.aeswave.com/uTest-Advanced-Terminal-Test-Kit-p9715.html

Very nice, but out of the budget of most DIYers !