Single tip Kelvin probe

A Kelvin probe system for measuring resistance or impedance between a pair of location on an electrical device which includes a Kelvin resistance measuring circuit device that includes first voltage and current circuit terminals and second voltage and current circuit terminals, and a resistance-measuring subcircuit connected to said circuit terminals, said circuit device including a source that flows a current between said first and second current terminals and through the electrical device, comprising:

• first and second Kelvin probe assemblies including a first Kelvin probe assembly engaged with said first circuit terminals, and a second Kelvin probe assembly engaged with said second circuit terminals;
• said first Kelvin probe assembly including an elongated voltage conductor and an elongated current conductor with each conductor having a distal end connected to one of said first voltage and current circuit terminals, respectively, a handle which can be manually grasped, and a rigid probe tip fixed to said handle, with said probe tip having a proximal end for engaging one of said locations on the electrical device and having a distal location spaced from said proximal end;
• said voltage and current conductors being arranged with said current conductor having a proximal end connected to said probe tip distal location to establish a current flow path of predetermined length that extends from said probe tip proximal end and through at least part of said probe tip and through said current conductor to said first current circuit terminal and along which flows all current passing through said current conductor, and with said voltage conductor having a proximal end connected to said current flow path, said voltage conductor separating from connection to said current flow path at a location that is spaced from said probe tip proximal end by no more than 10% of said length of said current flow path.

A Kelvin probe for use with another similar probe device and a Kelvin resistance impedance measuring circuit to measure resistance or impedance comprising:

• a cable that includes two conductors that each have proximal and distal ends;
• a handle (160);
• a rigid probe tip (12) fixed said handle, said probe tip having a proximal end that is pointed, and said probe tip having a distal end that has a bore (162);
• said proximal ends of said two conductors both lying in said bore of said probe tip and fixed thereat to said probe tip.

A Kelvin probe comprising:

• a cable that includes two conductors that each has proximal and distal ends;
• a handle;
• a rigid probe tip fixed to said handle, said probe tip having a proximal end that is pointed, and said probe tip having a distal end that has a bore;
• the proximal end of a first of said conductors lying in said bore and the proximal end of the second of said conductors being in electrical engagement with said first conductor immediately outside said bore.

A Kelvin probe comprising:

• a cable that includes two conductors that each has proximal and distal ends;
• a handle;
• a rigid probe tip fixed to said handle, said probe tip having a proximal end that is pointed, and said probe tip having a distal end that has a bore with a distal end;
• the proximal end of a first of said conductors lying in said bore and the proximal end of the second of said conductors being connected to said probe tip at a location closer to said probe tip than said bore.