[Amps] E rating of PVC

[Will Matney]

The voltage rating on the PVC pipe your mentioning, especially schedule 
40 would probably handle up to 5000 Vdc with no problem. That is about 
the thickness used in most probes. The main reason for their long length 
is not really safety so much but the length of the high ohm resistor 
used in the shaft. That resistor is probably  4-5 inches long and about 
a hundred megohms for a 20,000 ohms per volt meter. You could make up a 
"corona ring" or the large round guard for the handle out of a round 
piece of plastic sheet or plexiglass. Really it just keeps the hand from 
un-intentionally slipping off the handle. Just make you up a tip from an 
ohm meter test lead tip and wind a small spring clip for it so it will 
stay attached to the HV source like most have. Standard lead wire can be 
used as the meter leads. I have one here that fits my Simpson 260 made 
by Simpson and a Heathkit I think it is. I use the Simpson on all my HV 
measurements. You may also want to check Ebay as that's where my Simpson 
came from. You can usually buy one there way cheaper than you could 
build one.

Will Matney
US Amplifier