Where to find durable multimeter probe clips with strong flat metal hooks and springs?

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#1 21679562 26 Apr 2018 16:41

Graham Rounce Graham Rounce

Anonymous

Post #1
21679562 26 Apr 2018 16:41

Hi - I remember the actual clipping part of probe clips as being flat metal, with a sort of hole pressed out on one edge to make a strong hook, with a decent spring holding it tight.

The only ones I can find now use hopelessly weak pieces of bent flat wire which as often as not fall off under their own weight!

Can anyone recommend a source of (much!) better ones?
Thanks.
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#2 21679563 26 Apr 2018 17:46

David Ashton David Ashton

Anonymous

Post #2
21679563 26 Apr 2018 17:46

Hi Graham. I remember those probes from AVO multimeters. As you say they were very positive, they were great for hooking onto a wire on a valve socket. but try hooking onto an IC pin now without shorting to the pins next to it!! I don't know if you'd still get anything like that. I've seen the bent wire ones you describe, also some stronger ones which have two springy wires come out of them and come together to grab a wire. Those are probably more like what you want. But I don't know if those are available either, I'll look around.
Can I ask - what do you want to use them for in this day and age?Cheers // David
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#3 21679564 26 Apr 2018 18:15

Graham Rounce Graham Rounce

Anonymous

Post #3
21679564 26 Apr 2018 18:15

Hi - yes. See the pic. (Oops! How do you put a pic on here?) Probe clips that don't fall off are invaluable in the early 'playing' stages of design!
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#4 21679565 26 Apr 2018 18:29

Rick Curl Rick Curl

Anonymous

Post #4
21679565 26 Apr 2018 18:29

Hi Graham-Are alligator clips too big? Digi-Key still carries a number of probe sets that come with alligator clips that can be screwed to the probe tips. As an example, look at TPI probe setIf you need something small enough to connect to test points or DIP pins, would the Pomona Grabbers work?
-Rick
#5 21679566 26 Apr 2018 19:05

Graham Rounce Graham Rounce

Anonymous

Post #5
21679566 26 Apr 2018 19:05

Thanks. I think the Pomona grabbers are only one step up from what I'm moaning about! Imhe, the not-very-springy wire that's bent into a hook still doesn't stay on very well.I'm only trying to attach to wires, resistor leads etc.
I've just found the croc clip attachments myself. I'll give them a try, as they should be better than the bent wires, but I doubt they'll really grip well... sorry!(We don't have to ask why the bent wire versions are now ubiquitous - they're cheap, and the fact that they don't do the job properly is naturally irrelevant!
#6 21679567 27 Apr 2018 08:41

David Ashton David Ashton

Anonymous

Post #6
21679567 27 Apr 2018 08:41

Graham - found these made by fluke, and they don't make rubbish.The things I was thinking about are shown here - two spring wires that grab the wire you're testing - but it's only a wikipedia phonto and no indication of who makes them.These are like them - might be the same thing - but made by Hirschmann (Germany) - I have some of these and they are good quality and don't easily come off.Hope this helps // David
#7 21679568 27 Apr 2018 16:15

Graham Rounce Graham Rounce

Anonymous

Post #7
21679568 27 Apr 2018 16:15

Thanks for all that... I'll have to break open the piggy bank, but it's good to know that ones that work are available. And it would be worth it, blood pressure wise!
#8 21679569 27 Apr 2018 17:45

David Ashton David Ashton

Anonymous

Post #8
21679569 27 Apr 2018 17:45

Graham... yes they are not cheap...but actually not as expensive as I thought. I too have tried the bent wire ones and though they are cheap they are generally pretty useless. A qucik look revealed that the Hirschmann ones are actually cheaper at RS than on Ebay!
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#9 21679570 27 Apr 2018 18:25

Graham Rounce Graham Rounce

Anonymous

Post #9
21679570 27 Apr 2018 18:25

Hi, ok thanks, I'll take a look.RS are actually quite good. I wanted some 4.3 ohm 1% resistors, and after looking all over found them at RS, at 50 for £2.35 inc postage, next day delivery. Can't say fairer than that!
#10 21679571 28 Apr 2018 15:33

David Ashton David Ashton

Anonymous

Post #10
21679571 28 Apr 2018 15:33

Graham purely as an aside, and I don't know if it will help you, but if you are doing IC work then get one of these clips:https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/3m/923700/923700-ND/3852
They are available in a wide range of sizes from 8 pins to 24 pins and more I think.They make it very easy to access the pins for test purposes, you can get small purpose designed probes to clip onto the top pins.
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Topic summary

The discussion focuses on sourcing durable multimeter probe clips featuring strong flat metal hooks with robust springs, as opposed to the commonly found weak bent wire hooks that often fail to maintain grip. Classic clips from AVO multimeters are recalled for their positive grip but are less suitable for delicate IC pins due to risk of shorting. Alternatives suggested include alligator clips available from suppliers like Digi-Key and Pomona grabbers, though these may still lack sufficient spring tension. High-quality clips with two spring wires that firmly grasp wires are recommended, with Hirschmann (Germany) and Fluke cited as manufacturers of reliable, well-made probe clips. Hirschmann clips are noted to be available at competitive prices from RS Components. For IC testing, specialized clips such as 3M's 923700 series, which come in various pin counts and allow easy access to IC pins, are also recommended.
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Where to find durable multimeter probe clips with strong flat metal hooks and springs?

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Topic summary