Tool Review: Thexton Extended Electrical Back Probe Kit

March 5, 2012
Reviewer finds great everyday use for any electrical repairs.

Thexton's Extended Electrical Back Probe Kit, No. 490X, allows the technician to back probe connectors easily without having to remove the terminal. The extension wire makes it easier to test in difficult to reach locations. The 490X contains eight extended electrical backprobes in four different colors. These backprobes are used to access electrical circuits from the back side of the connector. The extension wire allows the technician to access connectors that are tucked away, and makes testing connectors more convenient.

The review

Tom Karagianis owner of Tarkus Automotive in Milwaukee, WI, both tested out the tool.

He appreciated the far reach of the wires on the kit, and found he used the kit frequently for electrical repairs, including general electric testing, testing wiring harnesses, testing for electrical shorts, pin testing harnesses, and more.

"(The extension wires) are long enough and sharp enough for backprobing and testing. It’s a tool that you use every day when you’re working on electrical. We’ve been using that alot."

"The other kits we had, the wires are too short. When you’re working from the rear of the car to the front of the car, stuff’s not long enough," says Tom. "But these were plenty long enough for what we were using them for."

Tom found the tool very useful whenever completing electrical work.

"I would rate it a 10, because it’s one of the shop tools you grab all the time when you’re doing electrical work. Which we do here."

About the Author

Erica Schueller | Editorial Director | Commercial Vehicle Group

Erica Schueller is the Editorial Director of the Endeavor Commercial Vehicle Group. The commercial vehicle group includes the following brands: American Trucker, Bulk Transporter, Fleet Maintenance, FleetOwner, Refrigerated Transporter, and Trailer/Body Builders brands.

An award-winning journalist, Schueller has reported and written about the vehicle maintenance and repair industry her entire career. She has received accolades for her reporting and editing in the commercial and automotive vehicle fields by the Truck Writers of North America (TWNA), the International Automotive Media Competition (IAMC), the Folio: Eddie & Ozzie Awards and the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) Azbee Awards.

Schueller has received recognition among her publishing industry peers as a recipient of the 2014 Folio Top Women in Media Rising Stars award, acknowledging her accomplishments of digital content management and assistance with improving the print and digital products in the Vehicle Repair Group. She was also named one Women in Trucking’s 2018 Top Women in Transportation to Watch.

She is an active member of a number of industry groups, including the American Trucking Associations' (ATA) Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC),  the Auto Care Association's Young Auto Care Networking Group, GenNext, and Women in Trucking.

In December 2018, Schueller graduated at the top of her class from the Waukesha County Technical College's 10-week professional truck driving program, earning her Class A commercial driver's license (CDL).  

She has worked in the vehicle repair and maintenance industry since 2008.

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