Can anyone recommend some good DLRO leads/test probes?

[barryeeu]

Has anyone found a set of ductor test leads/probes that can withstand industrial shut down environments / harsh conditions. The delicate spring loaded ones don't survive long in a paper mill or power house. It's the abuse they are given that is the problem, I know that, but test probes that work well on the lab bench will never make it out there in the field. I feel that sometimes we are using a scalpel to do a job more suited to a machete.

[SecondGen]

Yes, those puny spring loaded leads that come with the new ductors are garbage. A quick search on the google machine came up with this cut sheet from megger which shows their entire selection of DLRO leads:

http://www.megger.com/common/documents/DLRO_TL_DS_USen_V05.pdf

I have been using the Heavy Duty Fixed Point Hand Spikes for years and they hold up very well. The only problem is getting them into tight spaces. The Helical Spring Point Leads are decent also, they are kind of like a step up from the stock leads. Hope this helps!

[randywright]

Some number 12 solid will do wonders for getting readings in tight places. I learned this trick after trying to get contact resistance values off of a Siemens LA breaker. You have to stick the wire down in between the finger cluster and the frame to reach the runbacks. Next time I see one I will try to snap a photo so you will have a better understanding of what I'm talking about.

[JuanEscobar]

What manufacture test set are you using?

I like these probes from AEMC, they work great and are more heavy duty than the smaller pencil type.

http://store.aemc.com/Kelvin-Probes-10-ft-10A-Spring-Loaded-for-Micro-ohmmeters_p_781.html

[SecondGen]

+1 for using scrap wire as DLRO probes, using solid works quite nice because you can shape them for precision. To easily make a set of your own set of test leads:


cut four equal lengths of wire (mind your test set output current, length is up to you but 10' is a good start)
crimp some spades on one end and cut back about 1/8"-1/4" of insulation on the other (you don't need much to make contact)
Put some tape every 6" on each set to keep everything manageable.


Keep them on your truck because you never know when they might come in handy.


Some number 12 solid will do wonders for getting readings in tight places. I learned this trick after trying to get contact resistance values off of a Siemens LA breaker. You have to stick the wire down in between the finger cluster and the frame to reach the runbacks. Next time I see one I will try to snap a photo so you will have a better understanding of what I'm talking about.

[Sanjayo]

These might not be what you are looking for but AEMC makes some nice heavy duty clamp test leads for the dlro. I've been using them for a few months now they are great for measuring bus resistance

124
http://store.aemc.com/Kelvin-Clips-10-ft-50V-CAT-III-10A-for-Micro-ohmmeters_p_488.html

[Brianolvr11]

Yes you can find many different styles and I use the clamp leads, with voltage and current seperated on the handle. They are great.

[NBatson]

These might not be what you are looking for but AEMC makes some nice heavy duty clamp test leads for the dlro. I've been using them for a few months now they are great for measuring bus resistance

124
http://store.aemc.com/Kelvin-Clips-10-ft-50V-CAT-III-10A-for-Micro-ohmmeters_p_488.html



I made some similar leads. #12 lead wire, 4 fluke gator clips, four banana plugs, and four insulated banana plugs, put it all together and you'll want to throw those stock leads in the trash. I made mine about 6' long so you can really stretch it out if need be. The fluke gator clips can open really big for the big buss or bolted connections and they are small to fit into tight places. Used them the same day on a medium voltage A-B contactor and in a OCB.

[ShawnWhitlock]

[R
raytech makes the best dlro leads for a 10a unit call raytech and ask for Paul and these leads are rebuildable for a fraction of purchase price
Has anyone found a set of ductor test leads/probes that can withstand industrial shut down environments / harsh conditions. The delicate spring loaded ones don't survive long in a paper mill or power house. It's the abuse they are given that is the problem, I know that, but test probes that work well on the lab bench will never make it out there in the field. I feel that sometimes we are using a scalpel to do a job more suited to a machete.

[Jmassman]

Has anyone found a set of ductor test leads/probes that can withstand industrial shut down environments / harsh conditions. The delicate spring loaded ones don't survive long in a paper mill or power house. It's the abuse they are given that is the problem, I know that, but test probes that work well on the lab bench will never make it out there in the field. I feel that sometimes we are using a scalpel to do a job more suited to a machete.

I really like what AEMC makes for test leads. Below are 3 styles thatd I like to have a set of depending on the situation I am in. Having a 10 or 20' larger clamp helps me take readings of larger gear when I am on my own, so that why I like having a set of those around! Hope this helps a bit.

https://www.shopaemc.com/product/aemc-2118-77-spring-loaded-kelvin-probes
https://www.shopaemc.com/product/aemc-2118.79-kelvin-clips
https://www.shopaemc.com/product/aemc-1017.84-hippo-kelvin-clips

[Kalbi_Rob]

I really like what AEMC makes for test leads. Below are 3 styles thatd I like to have a set of depending on the situation I am in. Having a 10 or 20' larger clamp helps me take readings of larger gear when I am on my own, so that why I like having a set of those around! Hope this helps a bit.

https://www.shopaemc.com/product/aemc-2118-77-spring-loaded-kelvin-probes
https://www.shopaemc.com/product/aemc-2118.79-kelvin-clips
https://www.shopaemc.com/product/aemc-1017.84-hippo-kelvin-clips

We took 2 25' extension cord and cut them in half. On one half we put banana plugs (neutral and hot leads), and the other end we bought some battery jumper cable clamps. This allows you to plug an extension cord in the middle and make extra long leads. Since DLRO uses a Kelvin Bridge, the lead resistance is taken out of the equation, and you can test any length of bus by yourself.

I always recommend the end you put the banana plugs on the male plug side, since you then make a nice suicide cord that you could easily put a fused switch on to power up 120Vac equipment if needed.

I can buy 25' extension cords at harbor freight for less than $25 with the 4 clamps. Unless you like spending $200+ on the AEMC or Megger leads.

[Jmassman]

We took 2 25' extension cord and cut them in half. On one half we put banana plugs (neutral and hot leads), and the other end we bought some battery jumper cable clamps. This allows you to plug an extension cord in the middle and make extra long leads. Since DLRO uses a Kelvin Bridge, the lead resistance is taken out of the equation, and you can test any length of bus by yourself.

I always recommend the end you put the banana plugs on the male plug side, since you then make a nice suicide cord that you could easily put a fused switch on to power up 120Vac equipment if needed.

I can buy 25' extension cords at harbor freight for less than $25 with the 4 clamps. Unless you like spending $200+ on the AEMC or Megger leads.

I generally don't make any of my own stuff for testing unless it is specialty. I'll make my own wire jumpers, "auxiliary power" wires, little things like that. I let my company buy the rest and try to keep the right tools for the right jobs. Awesome way to make some extra long leads though!!! I haven't heard of making them like that until now.

[SecondGen]

We took 2 25' extension cord and cut them in half. On one half we put banana plugs (neutral and hot leads), and the other end we bought some battery jumper cable clamps. This allows you to plug an extension cord in the middle and make extra long leads. Since DLRO uses a Kelvin Bridge, the lead resistance is taken out of the equation, and you can test any length of bus by yourself.

I always recommend the end you put the banana plugs on the male plug side, since you then make a nice suicide cord that you could easily put a fused switch on to power up 120Vac equipment if needed.

I can buy 25' extension cords at harbor freight for less than $25 with the 4 clamps. Unless you like spending $200+ on the AEMC or Megger leads.

+1 for homemade extension cord leads. I have a 100' with bananas on one end and 15A clips on the other. Not much I can't measure with those.