Fluke AC285 SureGrip Alligator Clips

Top of the Line. Best in the business Baby!

There are two major types of alligator clips for test leads.The most common type are the ones which have a rubber boot covering, and they either friction fit or screw onto the 2mm metal tip of a test lead probe. A good example of this is the Fluke AC175. This design has several significant shortcomings: First, the clip can only be opened a little ways before encountering resistance due to trying to stretch the rubber boot. Second, the object can only be accessed straight on (limited angles of attachment) due to the rubber boot. Third, the clip is on the end of the test probe. So, you have the weight of the wire and the leverage of the probe length trying to torque the clip off of it's attachment point. Fourth, the alligator clip is short which requires your fingers to be close to the attachment point (safety concern).Now, let's look at the AC285 clips. They don't have a rubber boot, so there's no constraint on opening wide. The sides are open, so you can grip an object from the side. The part where you squeeze to open the jaws is way at the back of the clip, providing additional distance from the attachment point.These clips do not go on the end of a probe with a permanently attached cable. Instead, they require the use of test leads which have banana plugs on both ends (such as the excellent Fluke TL224). To use these clips, you pull the probes (such as the excellent Fluke TP175E) off the end of the test lead and install the clip in place of the probe. This provides a very compact clip without the probe extra length. It's a modular system where you install whatever specialized end you need: probe (TP175E or TP220), alligator clip (AC285), extended alligator clips (AC220), extended hook clips (AC280), pincer grips (AC283), etc. Modular test leads are awesome, but pricy.The build quality is excellent, the teeth are sharp, the closing spring is strong for a good grip. Overall, these are exactly what I was looking for.

These are the best

Works great need these for my electrical class great fit

I bought these as a nice addition for my test lead set. They are very well made. Don't be caught off guard by the picture because I thought they were more like regular jumper clips for a test meter - wrong. These measure over 3 inches long. The metal teeth are about an inch long and the jaw bone is more than 1.25 inches deep so it can reach far when trying to hook onto something. The tip of the jaw is about 1/8 inch across the metal teeth. The back of the jaw near the pivot at full depth is about 1/2 wide. The teeth look like something out of a Barracuda fish. The clamping force is quite significant so the clip won't fall off of whatever you clip to.Extremely well designed and equally well made. I just expected something about half this size. So that is why I wrote so much because someone may be looking for something just like this and someone else may be seeking something smaller.

These are truely great clips. They are large with a wide jaw opening. Unlike other leads that are limited by a rubber boot for opening, these can open beyond 3/4 of an inch to clip to main lugs or bolts. They outside is insulated to the tip for safety leaveing only the inner jaws exposed. The bite is excellent and feels solid on a flat or square surface. These combined features make these clips the best I've ever seen and by far the safest.Now they are somewhat pricey and very large. So they are not suited to all users nor applications, but for data logging or troubleshooting of equipment or switchgear, these are the ONLY leads I would trust to be left on their own. These will certainly be an investment since you have to buy the leads for them seperately. I'm using Fluke TL224 silicone leads. But any 4mm to 4mm banana leads should work for these.

An essential for me. Same quality as orders from fluke direct

Very nice clips. Thin "beak" and can grip the smaller wires very well. Built well and have a strong spring.