plugged test leads

[artag]

A number of test leads I've bought recently have plastic plugs in the ends.

What are these for ? They don't seem to offer any useful protection either to me or the leads, and I can't imagine anyone would bother to replace them after use.

[jeroen79]

They can keep dust and other rubbish out of the shrouded plugs.

[retiredcaps]

What are these for ?

Repairing Fluke inner jack shrouds of course! 

http://mrmodemhead.com/blog/fluke-banana-jack-repair/

PS. Yes, I sent some to modemhead.

[artag]

That's a good use for them !

Modemhead is probably right - I've got other probes that have been stored tightly wrapped, and the barrel is no longer round. It recovers eventually but might be awkward to plug in when first received in the mail.

Not sure about the dust and dirt. I don't keep my leads in dusty, dirty places

[con-f-use]

Yes dirty, grime and chemicals. Also deformation during transport.