Screw-in test probe for cable harness testing.

The new P53/G from Peak Test Services is a series of screw-in threaded test probes designed for use in test modules for cable harness testing.

The new compact probe has a total length of only 25.2 mm inclusive of receptacle. It is designed for use at 2.54 mm centres, has a continuity resistance of 20 milliohms, and operates at currents up to 5 A. Full travel distance is 4.5 mm, working travel distance is 3.5 mm, and working travel spring force is 1.5 N.

Various head styles and diameters are available. Head styles include concave, headless chisel, headless dome, serrated and spear.

A receptacle is also available, along with the relevant screwing tools. The receptacle is fitted with a knurl to give better fixing inside the drilling and anti-twist protection.

The new probes are available in Britain and Ireland direct from Peak Test Services and via a range of appointed distributors worldwide.

High-current test probe.

The new HSP865-C from Peak Test Services is a high-current test probe designed to handle currents of up to 50 A DC.

Originally developed for battery test applications, the versatile design of the new device makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, including high-temperature testing at up to +250°C and use as a holding-down device with a force of up to 530 cN.

A robust probe suitable for use with heavy mechanical loads, this threaded version is designed for applications involving direct mounting without a receptacle. The probe is also suitable for use with standard cable eyes where no soldering process is involved.

The HSP865-C has a nominal travel of 5 mm, maximum travel of 7 mm, preload force of 200 cN, and nominal spring force of 530 cN. Mounting is by screw (M3 thread) or cable lug. It features a beryllium-copper plunger and gold-plated spring and barrel. Typical contact resistance is less than 5 milliohms, and operating temperature range is -40° to +250°C. 

Universal LightProbe tests colour and intensity of LEDs.

The Universal LightProbe Spectra USB Sensor from Optomistic Products, designed for the colour and intensity testing of LEDs, is now available exclusively in Britain from Peak Test Services. 

Universal LightProbes are small, highly versatile programmable sensors for the reliable testing of LEDs, addressing many different LED test environments and requirements - whether a simple check for a specific colour, or identifying the correct colour and intensity from a wide spectrum of colours, including white LEDs - while offering the choice of digital or analogue outputs.

Optomistic has recently introduced a version of the Universal LightProbe Sensors with a serial digital output and a sleek user-friendly USB interface incorporated into the sensor. Without losing the ease of use of the existing range, the new Universal LightProbe Spectra USB Sensor delivers a fast and simple serial-digital output directly to a PC. 

Universal LightProbe sensors have the unique advantage of operating at any voltage from +5 V to +40 V, and they can withstand reverse polarity up to -18 V without suffering permanent damage. The range also includes one of the smallest sensor sizes on the market today, making it ideally suited to the requirements of high-density fixture designs. 

Test probe with integral position sensing system!

A new contact probe from Peak Test Services features a built-in position sensor system designed to provide an exact measurement of the distance travelled by the probe in contacting the test item.

Designed for measuring parameters such as pin lengths, component heights or the depth of drill holes in wire harnesses and connectors, the new PS 21/G Series incorporates a small integral potentiometer that is screwed together with the contact probe and the receptacle. When a voltage is applied, a 3-wire circuit acting as a potential divider provides either a voltage or a resistance that is linearly proportional to the travel of the probe and can thus be used by the test system to provide a distance measurement.

To take into account electrical and mechanical tolerances, the system needs to be calibrated to provide the exact plunger position. This can be achieved either by calculating the difference between to measurement values in relation to a reference position, or by using a special "golden device" as a reference.

Depending on the hardware and software of the test system, the measurement signal can be zeroed at user-defined positions. This method allows positive or negative deviations to be determined without the need to calculate the differences.

The sensor system has a measuring range from 0- to 5.2 mm, an accuracy of ±2% and a reproducibility of ±0.05 mm.

Short-travel test probe for direct PCB mounting

The new P694-D from Peak Test Services is a solder-tight short-travel test probe which can be soldered directly to a printed circuit board without the need for a receptacle.

Designed for testing devices at 3.5 mm centres, the probe is available with a dome head and is capable of carrying currents up to 8.0 A.

The P694-D features a nominal travel distance of 0.8 mm (1.2 mm maximum), and has a spring force of 65 cN.

Test probe provides high-current contacting for blade connectors

The new P762/G from Peak Test Services is a test probe specifically designed for applications requiring high-current contacting with flat blade connectors.

The new probe overcomes the difficulties previously encountered in contacting flat blade connectors with high currents, which result from the fact that the front face does not provide enough contact surface area. Alternative solutions based on clamps have been developed, but they are not very durable and run the risk of damaging the surface of the blade connector.

With the new P762/G, a slotted and twist-proof contact head is moved over the contact blade, and the compression of the plunger leads to a twisting movement. This results in the contact head getting a good and smooth contact to the item under test without damaging or scratching the surface.

A single P762/G probe can handle currents up to 40 A, depending on the ambient temperature. By using several probes in parallel, even higher currents are possible.

Short-travel test probes

New from Peak Test Services, the P360/G-DX is a short-travel high-current test probe capable of carrying currents up to 15 A.

Designed for testing at 3.70 mm centres in limited-space conditions, the new probe is one of the smallest threaded high-current probes on the market, with a tip diameter of only 1.3 mm. Typical applications for the DX head style probe include tests on battery contacts or charging contacts.

The P360/G-DX features a nominal travel distance of 0.8 mm (1.2 mm maximum), and has a nominal spring force of 80 cN (pre-load 50 cN). Pointing accuracy is ±0.1 mm.

The probe incorporates a gold-plated beryllium/copper plunger, a brass gold-plated barrel and receptacle, and a stainless steel spring.

The P360/G-DX probe is available in the Britain and Ireland from Peak Test Services and via a range of appointed distributors worldwide.

Pneumatic switch probe

For mechanical positional testing in limited space applications

The new P499-F pneumatic microswitch probe from Peak, is designed for the mechanical detecting of the position of a device under test in situations where space is limited.

The probe incorporates a pneumatically operated plunger and an integrated switch function which carries out an "off/on/off" operating sequence. The plunger incorporates a screwable contact head which is both adjustable between 0 and 2 mm and interchangeable between electrically insulating synthetic and conducting metal versions.

The probe is designed for use at centres of 6.5 mm (157 mil), and is rated for a current of 1.0 A with a resistance of 500 milliohm. Operating temperature range is from -20º to +80ºC.

A choice of lateral or axial fixing screws allows two mounting configurations, including an option that allows airtight applications.

New tool detects blocking in test probes

A new tool for the detection of blocked or tight plungers in the test probes used in automatic test systems has been introduced by Peak Test Services.

With the new Peak blocking tester, the correct functioning of the contact probes built into ATE test modules or fixtures can be tested very quickly and simply using minimal spring force.

The tester incorporates a Peak P201/G switch probe integrated with an LED display which illuminates if the plunger is stuck. The test height is adjustable by a threaded sleeve, and the spring force can be adjusted by changing the integrated probe. The maximum spring force is restricted to 6.0 N: a value which eliminates any potential damage to the connector element

Push-back test probe with integrated switch function

The new P222 from Peak Test Services is a push-back test probe featuring an integrated switch function and designed for tests on devices with 3 mm centres.

Push-back tests are generally used for testing safety-relevant wire harnesses and connectors, and involve checking the correct positioning of the contact pins and the electrical function of the contact elements in the connector. If the mechanical seat of the contact element in the connector is correct, the probe is pushed back and is used to trigger a switch function. If it is not correct, it is pushed out of its reference position.

The switch function required in a push-back test can be realised in different ways, including special receptacles or two-level probes, but integrating the switch into the probe offers the most economical approach.

The P222 probe also meets the requirement that push-back tests need robust spring-contact probes with very high spring forces. To ensure simple and secure fixing in the test module, the P222 has a groove which allows it to be fixed either with glue of with a washer. In addition, a knurl ensures a firm seat in the drill-hole. A twist-proof test can be realised by adding a guide plate to the test module.

For maintenance reasons, plunger and spring can be ordered separately and can be exchanged in the module without dismantling, offering further reduction in users' operating costs.

Long-travel threaded test probe

The new P31/G test probe from Peak Test Services features a long plunger and a travel distance of 14.3 mm, making it ideally suited to test applications where contact has to be made deep inside a connector.

The P31/G is designed for mounting at 4 mm centres, and has a current ratingof 10 A. Serrated and flat head styles are available.
Mounting is made using the associated R31/G-S receptacle, which can be made airtight by closing the hole in the solder cup with solder.

A step version is available with the same dimensions for applications where the contact element position has to be set precisely.

Test probe

Small threaded switching test probe

The new P221/G from Peak Test Services is a miniature threaded switching test probe with an extremely short mounting length of 24.5 mm, allowing it to be used with devices with pin spacings of 2.54 mm.

The P221/G exerts a relatively low pressure, making it ideally suited to the detection or presence sensing of closing surfaces, components or connectors. This is especially designed for use in horizontal mounting applications where the installation space is limited.

It is also available with an easy replacement design, enabling the test probe to be replaced without de-soldering the wire with a resultant reduction in maintenance requirements.