ITTSB.EU Blog Forum
Electrical Metrology | Measurement Tips & Products | Calibration standards => Electrical Standards & calibration accessories => Topic started by: Kiriakos GR on May 06, 2026, 08:30:51 AM
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Made in China, 4 Wire DMM Shorting Plug for Keithley, this is just another one listing this appearing on eBay.
While putting together as DIY, something designed by a metrology expert, this seems as easy, its not.
China this is today very advanced in the production of PCB boards (for general use).
But any customer order, at these expert's at making production of PCB boards, this is build to order.
And or, the customer he is primarily responsible so to request compatibility at specific dimensions and of any other specifications.
Other than the PCB, the use of Gold plated panel mount banana, this is another high importance part for this project.
Unfortunately for the Chinese DIY makers, there is a major problem with their Gold plated parts.
Metal in use Brass this comes from recycling, lots of different material these forming a new micro battery and a source of unavoidable EMF.
The Gold plating, this is another tricky part.
The factory which makes such parts this serving mainly the market of accessories and connectors for AUDIO.
There is a manufacturing practice that I was unaware, over copper or brass, they add a layer of Nickel plating, and on top the Gold Plating layer.
They do it for saving money? I do not know.
The major conclusion is that accessories and connectors for AUDIO, they are not compatible with metrology applications.
At PCB manufacturing, and especially for metrology applications it is required, PCB tracks to be 100% flat (Microscopic level confirmed flatness).
At the photograph below, you do not need a microscope so to see, the valleys of Gran Canyon, at the pads that they will be the host of panel mount banana's.
According to my old and fresh experiences, what ever this is produced by no-name parts in China, this it should stay in China.