It is Fluke's opinion that in applications using Fluke name brand instruments, fused test probes provide little if any added protection. Fluke's primary concern is that fused test probes may result in serious shock hazard do to a false voltage reading. A more effective solution is a meter properly designed to handle overload conditions. For the Amp and milliamp functions, Fluke meters incorporate a specifically designed and tested fuse that is effective to 1000 Volts as the full breaking capacity of the system which limits the energy in a manner that is as effective as a fuse located within a test probe.
It is additionally Fluke's position that a fused test probe is potentially more hazardous when used with any DMM for the following reason. It is estimated that over 90% of most electrician measurements use the AC VOLTS functions of a meter. Current measures are generally less than 10%, more probably in the few percentage points. If the fuse in the test probe is damaged and not noticed or properly corrected, then false voltage measurements will occur which potentially create a shock hazard for the user.
For Fluke meters, a damaged fuse within the amps function of the meter does not affect voltage measurements, so the potential of shock hazard due to false readings is eliminated. Note that for the other meter functions such as ohms, Fluke meters are designed to prevent hazard for overload conditions equivalent the maximum AC volts input as stated on the meter. These functions limit the energy by impedance. This opinion on fused test leads is limited to, an only applies to their use when used with Fluke brand test instruments
The above was taken off another forum a couple of years ago when like all sparks you get to talking and fused leads was a topic that came up. When a college brought this in, it was granted off an American site, but we contacted Fluke in the UK who asked us to send this to them. They advised us that indeed they agreed with this, and all Fluke meteres in the UK would be ok to use.
As for the GS 38 well it does indeed say that Probes need to be fused, which I suppose can be construed as the leads ...........
