An electrical test probe has a thermally activated, configurable shape
probe tip. At low temperatures, the probe tip is in a generally hooked
configuration. Upon heating, the probe tip is converted to a generally
straight configuration. The probe tip is composed of a spring component
bonded to a shape memory alloy component. The straight configuration
allows placement of the probe between tightly spaced circuit pins, while
the hooked configuration provides for tight gripping of a circuit pin
during measurement.