A question about torque screwdrivers

[HappyHippyDad]

I have been umming and arghing about a torque screwdriver for some time but have not yet bought one.

My fears are the following:

1. There are set torque settings that conductors in a consumer unit should adhere to. However, in the neutral bar which are screw terminals I tend to screw a 6mm in tighter than a 1mm (for example), as if you screw in a 1mm too tight it can shear. You can screw in a 6mm pretty much as tight as you can without fear of it going through the copper. I cant see how a torque screwdriver distinguishes between a 1mm and 6mm. Does it? Does it need to?

2. Are torque screwdrivers always accurate? If I use my normal screwdriver I have a 'fairly', if not 'very' precise feel for how tight I have made the connection. This experience will only improve over the years and you will make varying degrees of tightness as required. You lose this with a torque screwdriver and put all your trust in the mechanism.

I wonder if a torque screwdriver may not be a good option for someone who knows how to use a screwdriver properly? However, I am very much open to persuasion hence the post.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Hager provide a sticky label for the torque setting requirements for their new panels, anyone know where you can get hold of these label's for an existing panel.

 

[ipf]

Hager provide a sticky label for the torque setting requirements for their new panels, anyone know where you can get hold of these label's for an existing panel.

Could try Hager, I suppose. It's on their website.

 

[Mike Johnson]

I can't find anywhere you can get them, they announce proudly on Twitter that they supply them with their new boards, but don't tell you where you can get them to retro fit existing boards.

 

[ipf]

Don't know whether this is any good. You could print it off and make labels...if it is.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Thanks ipf, but I thought that Hager would make the yellow sticky available, I suppose I will just have to use my new Brother E550W instead. Just bought some yellow tape so it will have to do.

 

[Midwest]

Thanks ipf, but I thought that Hager would make the yellow sticky available, I suppose I will just have to use my new Brother E550W instead. Just bought some yellow tape so it will have to do.

Think about the font colour, when using coloured labels. Black is best with yellow, whereas white is best with green labels IMO.

 

[Mike Johnson]

I haven't got a full handle on the E550W as yet, but I don't think you can change the colour of the font from the machine, as I believe it's a Thermal process that prints onto the tape and is black only.

 

[Midwest]

I haven't got a full handle on the E550W as yet, but I don't think you can change the colour of the font from the machine, as I believe it's a Thermal process that prints onto the tape and is black only.

You buy one colour tape and what font colour. Yellow label and white font, isn’t very clear.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Haven't seen any other colour font tape on offer for that machine, can you provide a link?

 

[Midwest]

Haven't seen any other colour font tape on offer for that machine, can you provide a link?

Unfortunately not, mines a Rhino.

Dymo RhinoPRO Tape

The Dymo Rhino Pro Tape range offers comprehensive labeling solutions for professionals including the data and electrical installation industry.

www.labelzone.co.uk

But as said before, they are all pretty much the same.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Oh mines a Rhino, is that bragging.

 

[123]

Haven't seen any other colour font tape on offer for that machine, can you provide a link?

Brother do a huge range of tapes and colours, and widths as well. You can also get ribbon, heat shrink, iron on labels etc etc.

Back when I bought mine originally (I think it's the P-touch 7600 but would need to double check) the replica tapes etc left a lot to be desired, but bought a few recently and the quality of the replica tapes are very good, I think if used in normal conditions they would more than do the job. If for harsh environments, outdoors, under water, in freezers etc I'd stick with the genuine brother ones.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Quite correct, but they are all Black font on White or Yellow tape/tube in various widths, not that it's restrictive, how many options do we need?

 

[ipf]

Just make sure you have a correctly torqued driver if you have to take the cover off the brother......

 

[Mike Johnson]

Funny, but it's a finger catch, no screwdriver needed.