Electronic-Gurus: 2mm pin tip notch? Lineman's "TAP"?

[the86d]

I have used Radio Shack equipment for years, but have only ever dabbled...
I have some Radio Shack multimeters I have collected over the years, and I just got a better type with bannana connectors, however I would still like to use these multimeters.

1) Sooooooo what the hell are these called if you were looking for an adapter that this would plug into and click/seat/hold-on-to?:


The best Google and I can come up with without knowing the correct terms is "2mm pin probe" with a notch ("notched 2mm pin probes"?).

What is the notch for if it doesn't click into anything, or what is the notch for catching on (what type of connector is the notch for stopping "slipping out of")?
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Edit:2)
I've got one more...


The circular part has a bunch of pins on the tap/probe side that will pierce through an insulated wire without stripping. What are these called?

PLEASE ADVISE.

Thanks!

[RobertMW]

They are multimeter test probe tips. The notch in the 2mm barb is there so that it can get a little bit of purchase on a blade, wire, or whatever you want to probe. The notch is not used to lock accessory tips, they are just friction locked on.

http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en/test-and-measurement/test-probe-tips/2294778?k=probe%20tip

I think that is what you were trying to learn. If that's not it, try to refine your question a bit, I kinda got lost reading it.

[the86d]

They are multimeter test probe tips. The notch in the 2mm barb is there so that it can get a little bit of purchase on a blade, wire, or whatever you want to probe. The notch is not used to lock accessory tips, they are just friction locked on.

http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en/test-and-measurement/test-probe-tips/2294778?k=probe%20tip

I think that is what you were trying to learn. If that's not it, try to refine your question a bit, I kinda got lost reading it.

So they don't make adapters that are even pressure-fit, and people who use these just attach alligator-clips to them with whatever ends they need on the other side (spring-loaded hooks and the-like)?

[the86d]

SO I have been doing it right with "rigging" alligator clips to the probe-tips, all along?

[RobertMW]

So they don't make adapters that are even pressure-fit, and people who use these just attach alligator-clips to them with whatever ends they need on the other side (spring-loaded hooks and the-like)?

SO I have been doing it right with "rigging" alligator clips to the probe-tips, all along?

That is correct. Granted, the manufactured ones are meant to get as great a purchase on the probe tip as possible to minimize effects of resistance and capacitance. As long as you are taking DC voltage measurements, or the resistance of the probe wires is insignificant as compared to the rest of the circuit for current measurements, it doesn't matter.