Test Leads, Probes & Clips

The parts between the meter and the conductor, and the first thing to fail. Test leads take the abuse - flexed, trodden on, pulled from the plug - and a cracked lead is a shock hazard rather than an inconvenience, so they are a consumable and should be replaced rather than taped. Leads carry their own CAT rating and it has to match or exceed the meter's; a CAT IV meter on CAT II leads is a CAT II system. Shrouded, finger-guarded designs with adjustable tip covers let one set work in a panel and on a bench. Proving units give a known live source to test a detector against, which is what makes a "no voltage" reading trustworthy. Clips free your hands on a repeated measurement: solid copper for conductivity, insulated boots in the usual color code so two probes are never confused. Probes and extension accessories reach what a standard lead cannot, and an inspection mirror finds the terminal you cannot see. Inspect leads for nicks every time before use.