I’ve always thought that the motto of the company ought to be:

IF IT WORKS IT’S A FLUKE!

A joke, of course. It’s a superb instrument.

Some are plugged into the meter, some are unplugged.
Figured I'd help you with your decision.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
IF IT WORKS IT’S A FLUKE!

If it doesn't work, you need a Fluke!

I don't know the answer, but I destroyed an old Fluke my father gave me he used in aviation in the Navy, by doing something stupid with it, which I later made the same mistake again, but the second one had some fuses in it I was able to replace and just got lucky. But that Fluke, even that old one, was in instrument of beauty. Obviously I'm not in their target market.

 
Check out Probemaster modular silicone test leads. They are soft and do not take a set, plus being modular you can choose from a half dozen different probe ends to use with them.

Plugged. Wrapped around the meter and stuffed in the drawer. My Fluke 77 I bought new at my first bench tech job from the Fluke guy when he visited the shop in 1991ish.

We were taught not to wrap the leads around the instrument and to never store it with the leads plugged in. Of course, I see all manner of storage out on the job and haven't seen too many people having to replace leads.

quote:

Originally posted by henryaz:
 
Check out Probemaster modular silicone test leads. They are soft and do not take a set, plus being modular you can choose from a half dozen different probe ends to use with them.

I've seen those while looking at DMM online. The old one a klein mm1oo i got probably 15 years ago it wasn't the jack on the leads that got messed up rather the plastic shroud that the test leads jack goes around and into that snapped at the bases from being plugged in and abused probably got slammed from truck tool box lid when i closed it a time or 2. that plastic shroud is inside the leads jack and still works but no vary secure.That's why I got a case for new one.I'll probably put the old one in zip lock and put in my atv in Ga. for feeder motor and battery tester in the field. I may get those leads you ref. and use them on the fluke and use the fluke oem for the klein with those plastic shrouds put into the lead jack

I leave them plugged in and yes some I wrap around the case. I've never had a problem with leads. I don't use them every day but probably a few dozen times a year. If it becomes an issue where it was causing me problems I might change but I like to be able to grab it, turn the dial and use it.

My observation is the original packing is too small. Who can ever get something all nicely folded up and back into the original case?

I'm always keeping my eye out for zippered cases, etc, that I can more easily put things like DVOM, other small electrical devices or such. So much easier to stash and not risk damaging the component.

Having said that, I usually unplug the leads. Just a habit.

I have stored the leads both ways. I have multiple DMMs. Never had any problem either way

It used to aggravate me to see how some of my guys treated their meters . Filthy , leads wrapped , thrown in a tool bin with crap piled on top . I quit buying Flukes for some of them .