Perished multimeter test leads

[jon hill 3Participant @jonhill3]

I recently acquired a free 2nd hand multimeter made by ‘Milano Ice’ Italy ‘supertester 680r’ and on inspecting the included leads in the boxed pack found that they had perished.  Also there was moisture or sweating in the sealed box on the leads.  Is this evidence of chemical degredation?  The metal on the probes and plugs on the test leads was also green.

I have no idea what age this test meter is but it seems pretty shocking that the insulation has broken down on the test leads.

[Dave HalfordParticipant @davehalford22513]

Anything ‘soft touch’ from the 90’s from car dashboards to cameras is doing it. The plasticiser leaches out.

[peak4Participant @peak4]

Potentially shocking literally 😉

I’ve had similar in the past, or worse, where old leads have got stiff in use and cracked in the cold, exposing the bare copper.
Just had a look on eBay, as I’m not familiar with that multimeter, but it looks like the probes and plugs might screw together; if so, it should be easy to replace with new flexible wires.
Personally I prefer smooth plastic wires for automotive testing, where there is oil about, as they are easy to degrease.
In the clean electronics workshop I like the more rubbery cables, as they don’t seem to tangle as easily, and also remain more flexible when cold.

As an aside, I’d not used my favourite large screwdriver for a while.
When I took it out of the drawer last week, I noticed the same clear droplets where the plasticiser had suddenly started leaching out of the handle. It has a quite acrid smell, has dissolved the rubber mat lining the drawer, and stripped the paint off the inside where it was close.

p.s. If you ever need a schematic, there appears to be one HERE or HERE

Bill

[jon hill 3]

On 7 January 2024 at 16:44 jon hill 3 Said:

I recently acquired a free 2nd hand multimeter made by ‘Milano Ice’ Italy ‘supertester 680r’ and on inspecting the included leads in the boxed pack found that they had perished.  Also there was moisture or sweating in the sealed box on the leads.  Is this evidence of chemical degredation?  The metal on the probes and plugs on the test leads was also green.

 

I have no idea what age this test meter is but it seems pretty shocking that the insulation has broken down on the test leads.

Very old in relation to safety regulations. We have moved on a bit and everything nowadays has to comply with strict rules.

To start with because the plugs are unshrouded, take care if you use the meter on anything other than low voltage.

Others here might be able to explain the chemistry that causes cable to degrade.

Ian P

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

If what happened to a beautiful Snap On set of small sockets is a clue, the plastic handles gave off Acetic acid the even took the chrome plate off. Noel.

[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

I thought Snap-On products had a lifetime replacement warranty

Ian P

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

Hi Ian, Lifetime replacement – yes but be warned ONLY on hand tools other equipment and I quote our local snap on man – 90DAYS ! I now keep the plastic handled tools in plastic bags. I wouldn’t give you 2d for snap on tools. Noel.

[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

I have no Snap-On tools and no desire for any. I’ve never been impressed.

Did you mean to say that you DONT keep the tools in plastic bags?

Ian P

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