The long wire at the end of a probe thermometer can easily develop kinks if you put it back in the drawer willy-nilly—or worse yet, wrap it tightly around the thermometer. The tension can damage the wires inside, causing them to short and the probe to fail. The solution is to coil it loosely using a technique electricians and lighting professionals swear by: a series of alternating underhand and overhand loops that reduce the chances of kinking when the cable is unfurled.
Equipment
This Electrician’s Tip Will Save Your Probe Thermometer
Stop kinking up the cable of your probe thermometer with improper storage.
By Published Nov. 10, 2021.
1. Grasp probe so wire end faces away from you. Coil 3-inch loop around your hand.
2. Slide other hand along wire to create 10-inch length between your thumbs.
3. Bring your thumbs together so second loop sits above first loop, creating a figure eight.
4. Twist wire of top loop so it flops over bottom loop. Repeat steps 2 through 4 until you’ve reached wire’s end.
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