In short do you leave the leads plugged in or unplugged during storage.

Long. I have had and used a multi-meter for years, not daily but probably a couple dozen plus times a year. typically leave the leads plugged in wrap them around and throw it in a bag, tool box, or in my truck tool box with no other protection. The other day I noticed the lead connection was little loose. still works but opted to get a new one and zippered hard case for protection. Which then lead me to the question about if I should plug in and unplug after each use. Here's a pic of my new meter with leads plugged in. There is no stress on leads when closed or opened. Thanks

Unplugged.

I have a FLUKE 115, and leave the leads plugged in. But it sits in a nice furniture drawer rather than a tool box.

if seldom used I'd be more inclined to remove the batteries.

Especially if they are AA or AAA (which I think they are).

I always get battery leaks on expensive stuff

Plugged in. (You asked what I do.) Thats over the last 50 years or so.

I think there might be more wear plugging them in-and-out, that leaving them carefully plugged in.

I've not been told a "correct" way to store them in any electronics course I've attended (USAF, Telco, university, etc).

I am careful to never drop my meters.

quote:

Originally posted by radioman:
if seldom used I'd be more inclined to remove the batteries.

Especially if they are AA or AAA (which I think they are).

I always get battery leaks on expensive stuff

I put Lithium batteries in there. I read they are better than alkaline for leaking

I use various DMM's multiple times daily. I've probably got 8 different Fluke meters among other brands, and all but one of them has leads connected all the time. The only one that doesn't is a clamp on meter for current measurement. I've replaced my share of leads over time but they usually fail, for me at least, at the test probe connection end. Unless I pinch a lead in a machine, control panel door, or something silly like that.

As for batteries, since the introduction of lithium batteries, that's all I use. Energizer Ultimate Lithium to be specific. They don't leak, and generally last longer. In the past I used Duracell batteries, but somewhere along the line a few years back, they started leaking like cheaper batteries... If you have what you might consider an expensive meter, don't cheap out on the batteries and kill your investment.

Edit:
If you use one of the Fluke insulation testers like the 1577/87, and do a lot of testing, you'll burn through a lot of alkaline batteries pretty fast. Lithium's not near as fast, I'd just rather not have to carry batteries to a customer location onsite with me. No one has time for that.

I have multiple cheapies (a Radio Shack one that has lasted 20 years or more) and each vehicle has one of the ultracheap $5 units from Harbor Freight stored in them. They all have the leads plugged in and wrapped around the meter itself and haven't had an issue.

If I had a nicer, more expensive unit I might do it differently but for my use the cheap ones work just fine. They used to get used for measuring voice coil impedance (not accurately, just enough to tell if it was 2, 4, or 8 ohms) and more frequently to check for live circuits, both in the home and in the cars... I guess just a glorified test light, honestly.

i've had the fluke85 plugged in for 40+ years!!

quote:

Originally posted by stoic-one:

As for batteries, since the introduction of lithium batteries, that's all I use. Energizer Ultimate Lithium to be specific. They don't leak, and generally last longer.

Those are the ones I got

quote:

Originally posted by radioman:
if seldom used I'd be more inclined to remove the batteries.

Especially if they are AA or AAA (which I think they are).
<snip>

My FLUKE 115 has a 9V “transistor radio” battery.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
My FLUKE 115 has a 9V “transistor radio” battery.

I have several that use a 9v, I also use the Energizer Ultimate Lithium for those as well. They actually guarantee equipment replacement if they leak.

It depends on the leads. For your meter, leave them plugged in because you have leads with a 90 degree plug so you can wrap them without putting any strain on the connection.
For leads with a straight plug, I unplug them and then wrap the leads around the meter.

I've always left them plugged in.

My first Multi meter was a Radio Shack analog one that came in a thin cardboard box. An original design Escort radar detector came in a pretty fancy tool type box. Since it was empty, I used it to store the multimeter and all the leads and adapters. Worked pretty good. It even holds a the little manual.
Not my pic:

I had one of those Escorts when i traveled a lot. Sure paid for itself many times over.

I used to use my Fluke every day in hard use. Always left them plugged in and wrapped around the meter.

Yup, plugged in and wrapped around the meter.

Plugged in and wrapped around the meter, always have.

Thanks. I’ll just keep doing what I’ve been doing plus the added case.