electrical piercing probe

[Vikas]

Something similar to https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AQNEH54

Isn't there a great risk of cutting off the conductors along with the insulation? Is the probe made of of such a metal that it can only cut plastic and not copper? There is also no centering mechanism for the probe tip as I can see from the mechanism shown here.

I will be using this for general and automotive electrical diagnostics work. Is Fluke only real choice if I want to minimize disasters?

 

[mk378]

Don't pierce car wiring, as water can get in the holes and cause corrosion. Instead use a long skinny probe to backprobe the connectors.

It doesn't damage the conductor because the point of the probe will slip between the strands of stranded wire instead of cutting the copper.

 

[andyd]

I'm cheap. I raid a sewing kit for smallest needles

 

[SHOZ]

Originally Posted By: mk378
Don't pierce car wiring, as water can get in the holes and cause corrosion. Instead use a long skinny probe to backprobe the connectors.

It doesn't damage the conductor because the point of the probe will slip between the strands of stranded wire instead of cutting the copper.
I use some 20ga solid copper wire like found in florescent lights to backprobe the connector.

 

[wrcsixeight]

Pierced wire insulation at the base of my engine computer connector later caused much stress and money spent trying to remedy the significant issues that it caused.

If it must be done, on a connector that is sealed from back probing, the smallest needle piercing the wire and afterwards a dab of liquid electrical tape on wire cleaned with rubbing alcohol is mandatory, IMO.

Old wire insulation is incredible hard to pierce, and brittle, in my experience.

 

[George7941]

Pomona piercing probes are the only ones I will use and only when there is absolutely no alternative, like back-probing. I am comfortable using piercing probes on wires that are not exposed to the weather, like wires inside the cab. I hate piercing wires under the vehicle but, very occasionally, I have no choice.
https://www.amazon.com/Insulation-Pierci...+piercing+probe

The Pomona probes have a very fine needle, the thinnest needle I have seen in any probe. They are expensive but are the only ones I use.