ITTSB.EU Blog Forum
Multimeter | Clamp meter | Insulation Resistance Tester | Panel Meter | Oscilloscopes | Test leads & Accessories | Software Updates => Test leads & accessories => Topic started by: Kiriakos GR on June 16, 2013, 01:15:56 PM
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I have banned from my bench those cheap banana plugs which you can find anywhere.
They bad design makes them useless about a tight fit & good connection, and also some of them has issues with the center pin which pops out and the part becomes useless.
The only worthy banana in the market is the type which is pictured below.
It does cost a bit more and this makes it unpopular on eBay and the small sized retail stores.
Even so if you do touch one of them, it is impossible to go back.
Manufacturer ? Unknown but by 99% it is Made in China.
I was had to search 3,000 eBay listings so to spot a seller for them, which I do not wish to publicly recommend because he found to be unreliable regarding shipping.
Once I payed in Greece 1.40EUR per one of those and actually get four pairs.
In large spare parts sellers (on-line sites) you may find it close to 0.50EUR which is a good price for this product.
My order end up to 11 New pairs, which are more than enough for my needs.
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Good stuff, I prefer them too. You can find also same type bananas with gold plated metallic parts (much expensive naturally).
Im looking to find in the market flexible silicon cable to combine it with them, in order to make test leads.
Many years ago i could find in local market this cable (it cames from 'TELE' brant in package of 100m, so you could buy those meter you needed.In a good price also and good quality) but now i cant find it nowhere.
One thought i had for this, was to get a cheap set of multimeter test leads, and cut them to keep only cable, so i could connect it with these banana plugs.
Another thought which came as i was searching ebay, was to buy a complete set of test leads (banana to banana) like this
http://viewitem.eim.ebay.gr/Silicone-Test-Leads-Right-Angled-and-Straight-Shrouded-Banana-Plugs-1-Pair/170985687131/item
I would like to hear your opinion about this.
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I did find good cables before two years ago in Athens - Syntagma square, about 7 blocks from it.
I got 8 meters of it's color (dual sleeve too).
I did use some cable for making several pairs of banana cables yesterday and still have some spare of it. :)
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It took me only five years so to discover that my first choice of economy banana plugs this is described as 25.412 nickel plated 4mm Banana. :)
And this is not all, I was lucky to find and product specifications diagram.
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Now within 2019 I will also deliver and a second recommendation.
This week I did receive and inspect shrouded female banana plug, this is for the application of wire extension or about making DIY test leads.
In the positive side of things, this banana barrel resistance it is comparable to gold plated Multi-contact female banana plug.
But do not be confused... buying such female banana (China) this is now somewhat safe choice, but mechanical construction and product quality of male banana plugs this is still questionable.
Vast majority of Industry of China they expect customers requiring banana plugs for Audio Applications and Radio controlled toys.
Shiny-Gold bullet style banana plugs these are disposable RC toys connectors.
Another detail about these shrouded banana plugs, the hole at the top ( entry for the wire) this is very wide, the manufacturer recommends use of silicon wire with a large diameter.
Quality double insulation PVC wire for multimeter test leads this has diameter of 3.63 mm and this is not wide enough to fill the gap of 4.4 mm.
Because of this detail I am now adding a few turns of insulating tape so to increase wire insulation diameter and make it compatible with these banana plugs. ;)
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After the discovery that several factories scamming the market by offering recycled aluminum with Gold paint, I was forced to perform a second quality verification at those accessories which I did gave a positive recommendation.
By removing the nickel plating from both specific items, they are made of Brass which this is what I would expect. :)