Methods of using a blade probe for probing a node of a circuit

A method of using a blade probe for probing a node of a circuit, the node having a pad surface surrounding a node hole, the method comprising:

• providing a probe having:
• a longitudinal probe axis;
• a shaft generally concentric to the longitudinal probe axis, the shaft comprising an electrically conductive material;
• a probe blade disposed at a first end of the shaft and including first and second faces positioned about the longitudinal probe axis in facing opposition to each other, the first and second faces converging towards each other and terminating at an edge;
• a barrel including a cavity adapted to receive the shaft and permit movement of the shaft along the longitudinal probe axis;
• and
• a means for aligning the barrel and the shaft with each other so that the edge is disposed in a preferred orientation when the shaft is positioned in the barrel;
• urging the probe in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal probe axis to create at least one electrical contact point between solder disposed on a rim of the hole of the node and the edge of the probe blade thereby establishing electrical coupling between the probe and the node through the at least one electrical contact point;
• and
• electrically evaluating the node.

A method of using a blade probe for probing a node of a circuit, the node having a pad surface surrounding a node hole, the method comprising:

• providing a probe having:
• a longitudinal probe axis;
• a shaft generally concentric to the longitudinal probe axis, the shaft comprising an electrically conductive material;
• a probe blade disposed at a first end of the shaft and including first and second faces positioned about the longitudinal probe axis in facing opposition to each other, the first and second faces converging towards each other and terminating at an edge;
• a barrel including a cavity adapted to receive the shaft and permit movement of the shaft alone the longitudinal probe axis;
• and
• a means for aligning the barrel and the shaft with each other so that the edge is disposed in a preferred orientation when the shaft is positioned in the barrel;
• urging the probe in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal probe axis to create at least one electrical contact point between solder disposed on a pad surface of a node about a node hole, thereby establishing electrical coupling between the probe and the node through the at least one electrical contact point, the at least one electrical contact point being above the hole;
• and
• electrically evaluating the node.