ITTSB.EU Blog Forum
Electrical Metrology | Measurement Tips & Products | Calibration standards => Electrical Standards & calibration accessories => Topic started by: Kiriakos GR on April 13, 2026, 10:59:22 AM
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Today I was making an extended read at Pomona Electronics product catalog 2020.
I did spotted at one low thermal test lead, the description about the use of Copper alloy 110, also known as Electrolytic Tough Pitch (ETP) copper or UNS C11000, is a high-purity copper containing at least 99.9% copper.
An basic internet search, will deliver the information, that 99.9% copper this will eventually develop a green patina, so to protect it self from oxidation due our planet atmosphere :) = too much oxygen.
The one thought driven the next, and by 99.9% certainty, the banana plugs over my 8846A they are gold plated. ;D
While at portable DMM, I had never see anything else than nickel plating.
The long story is sort version, quality plating this is of high importance, at anything this is capable to measure or be a source of nano-volts.
FLUKE 8846A due it high display resolution, this opens up a door at the world of nano-volts (last digits).
I am now assuming that FLUKE Corp. this using identical gold plated alloy, at calibrators that is their mountain top, and down to bench top multimeter.
Accurate measuring of nano-volts this is not a job for multimeter, even if these are priced at over 20.000 Euros.
But when nano-volts they do matter in the application of DMM calibration, the manufacturer will do it best, so measuring error this to include lowest possible portion, due the use of test leads with best possible Low Thermal properties.
If there is a learning, by adding up all these information's, this is that bench top multimeter with not that strict DCV accuracy, by design they are more blind, at sensing and measuring nano-volts.
A High precision bench top multimeter, this is not similar to a fancy race car, for bragging rights alone.
Electrical test and measuring industry, this has developed a special class of instruments, for low power measurements.
The main concept is, that the industry of semiconductor development, this requires instruments with much lowest measuring range, of what even the best DMM this can do.
In conclusion, Gold plating, 99.9% copper, and any Low thermal test leads, they have some value only within a DMM calibration lab.
Even the best in class 6 1/2 & 7 1/2 DMM, they shown it superiority at single electronic component inspection.
Measuring leakage current of an electrolytic capacitor.
Tight accuracy verification of high precision resistor.
DC voltage inspection, at medical and or military system, the sum of all above tasks they require an advanced DMM.
Since the begging of ITTSB Blog, I wanted to have a trusted comparison point, so to be able to inspect the basic class of HH multimeter.
When you set your targets up front and stick to them, you are constantly experiencing satisfaction. :)
In contrast, the world of electrical metrology, this is a very expensive business, and by keeping a safe distance from it, this is most reasonable thing to do.