In the world of electrical testing, there are two kinds of gear: the kind that just gets by, and the kind you can count on.
At Duncan Instruments, we’ve spent decades working on and around test equipment—from the service bench to job sites across Canada. We’ve seen what fails, what lasts, and what no technician should ever have to deal with (yes, we’re looking at you, bargain-bin test leads that stiffen up like rebar in the cold).
So when we set out to create our own fused test leads, we had one goal:
👉 Build the leads we’d want to use ourselves.
⚡ Why Fuse Placement Matters
When something goes wrong in the field, it happens fast. In a short circuit, those few milliseconds are all it takes to damage your multimeter—or worse.
Most test leads rely on the meter’s internal fuse. That means the fault travels the entire length of the cable before it's interrupted. We’ve seen that go wrong too many times.
So we designed our Sterling SFTL fused leads with the fuse placed near the probe tip—interrupting faults at the source, where it counts most.
And we didn't cut corners: we source our fuses from Germany, the rest is assembled to our spec in Taiwan, and every set is tested for the kind of field use we would expect.
❄️ Cold Weather? No Problem.
Here in Canada, test gear needs to perform in every condition. Our leads stay flexible after a weekend in a cold truck, thanks to a high-quality multi-strand copper core and a cold-resistant double-insulated jacket.
The outer layer is tough. But if it’s ever damaged? The inner layer has a contrasting color, so you’ll spot wear before it becomes a problem.
đź’¬ What Technicians Are Saying
“Finally, test leads that give me real peace of mind! The fusing on these Duncan leads is a game-changer for safety.”
— Alex, Electrical Technician, Toronto
“Even when working in the cold, they stay flexible and easy to use.”
— Bob, Electrician, Kitchener-Waterloo
“The crocodile clips are top-notch! Delicate wire or thick bolt—they grab and hold.”
— Utility Worker, Ottawa
🔧 Designed for the Field. Backed by Service.
Our service department has seen the damage caused by cheap, unfused leads. We got tired of fixing fried meters. That’s why we built these—not to impress anyone, but to protect the gear and the tech using it.
If you’re serious about your work, your tools, and your safety, we think you’ll feel the difference too.