measuring pencil

Here is a device to help with that oft recurring requirement - an extra pair of hands. This measuring pencil can be used as a probe for inspecting voltages, in addition to its conventional appli- cation of writing down the results. The measuring pencil consists of a propelling pencil made of a synthetic resin. A flex is soldered to the push- button such that the propelling mechan- ism is unimpaired, and the other end of the flex is provided with a plug to fit the measuring instrument (e.g. a volt- meter). To use the pencil, connect the circuit to be tested to the earth terminal of the meter, and the pencil to the input socket. Using the pencil as a probe, the circuit voltages may now be measured at various points and the results written down with the same instrument.