Crazy prices

[guy48065]

I finally got my employer to spring for a modern calibrator (Fluke 5522A) and I'm looking forward to enjoying some automation in my lab.
My needs are pretty simple--I support a testing company and most my workload is rather low frequency and low voltage.  The demo calibrator I got to play with last year did come with a very pretty set of 2-foot Fluke test leads (5440A-7002) so I asked for a quote for a set.  $1002.00 for a 2-foot, 3-conductor set of leads blew my mind--and I'm an ex-audiophile used to seeing insane prices on wire!

I know many of you work for companies and groups with deep pockets but I'm hoping you can pass along some tips for cost-effective test leads...?

TIA...

[Bryan]

Go look over this thread.
http://www.pmelforum.com/index.php?topic=3047.0

[guy48065]

Actually I had found that thread in a search and had saved or printed a couple links to connectors...but had forgot to follow up on the Pomona 1756 recommendation.  I just looked it up (and many others with various terminations) and $50 is going to be a lot easier to swallow than $1000 for what I need.

Fluke is plain crazy charging what they do for accessories.

[guy48065]

Just to verify I haven't been sent the wrong price--Does the 3-wire, 2-foot set 5440A-7002 really cost $1000?

Google search turns up only a single postage-stamp image and NO prices.

[USMC kalibrater]

Sounds about right to me

[metrologygeek]

Yup. $985.00 and two weeks. I think I get a discount, although not much.

[Hawaii596]

To be clear, my lab used to be Motorola Semiconductor's internal lab (in Austin and Tempe).  Back in those days, Motorola had deep pockets, and we have a pretty decent stash of (aging) 5440-7002 (not sure if that is the right one - it is the copper banana tipped leads).  We have both long and short lead sets - quite a few. 

What had been happening is that the banana contact spring lost its shape and the leads constantly were popping out.  So, rather  than buying new lead sets, a couple of times, we have bought replacement copper banana springs.  They are about $3 each or so.  That's about $12 per lead set.  A LOT cheaper than buying new leads.  So I replace them.  And at replacement, while I have the old spring removed (a fussy process to make sure and not shear off the plastic tip of the connector), I use some Deoxit and clean off the oxide from the copper pin; replace the spring, and then we have like-new 5440 leads.  They are great leads.  I do have a spool of belden shielded twin lead per recommendation of others here.  And it is good for what it is good for.  But nothing I have yet found beats the 5440 leads. 

I used to have some of the spade lug 5440 leads (5440-7003 I think??).  Those are really nice, but also expensive.  I think parts could be bought and those replicated home made without too much technical complexity.

Also, I will be doing the hot cal on my FLuke 732A soon.  Fluke sends a lead set that looks homemade by them for that.  I will take some good pictures this year.  It is not 5440, but some other type.  I may experiment with making some of those leads.

[guy48065]

For the low voltage and low frequency cals typical of my workload it's hard for ME to accept $100 patch cords.  My boss just laughed "no way!"
I don't do any nanovolt cals so for the V & F range of my 5522A (no scope option) I'm sure $50 Pomona shielded leads will be fine.

I'm considering making a set or 2 using the untinned copper Belden twisted pair + the interesting audiophile copper bananas in your (Hawaii596) other thread.  I think such a cable would be near the performance of the 5440 leads--minus the safety of the shrouded banana pins.
I'm especially impressed by the rubber inserts in the split plugs that maintain contact pressure.  Seems a much better choice over soft copper springs.