torque screwdrivers

[MerlinGremlin]

I'm looking at buying a wera torque screwdriver attachment for my wera driver set, just wondering if anyone else is using a torque driver for tightening terminals or what people's opinions are about them?

 

[NDG Elecs]

If not a ' requirement' for your elec scheme registration / renewal then I would save your money and spend it in something actually worthwhile. Tightening things up by hand and your judgement should suffice unless you are extremely limp-wristed (not you personally Merlin!).

These things are yet another disclaimer (wasn't me guvnor) and I abhor the way this country is going down the ambulance chasing culture of the USA.

 

[Pete999]

Nice to have, but an unnecessary evil IMHO

 

[MerlinGremlin]

It's only a matter of time before its a requirement I bet, the cost is ridiculous and as you say gay owl there's nothing wrong with tightening them by hand like I've done for years. I might hang on unless I find a bargain.

 

[telectrix]

can't beat the tug test.

 

[uksparks]

I've got one, I don't use it that much, but when I do a board change for example, I'll set it at 2.8Nm or whatever is needed then jus over over every terminal and make sure it clicks, I then add a note to the certificate tht all terminations have been checked and torqued up in accordance with manufactures data.

I feel it just gives you a tiny bit more cover on your back should anything go wrong as its in black and white on a cert so if someone did look at it, they can see you at least thought about it, ok cant exactly prove you did it, but it might help if it came to it.

 

[Knobhead]

The only time I’ve insisted on torque setting being adhered to was with aluminium conductors. This followed a spate of failures due to over tightening. You can keep on tightening aluminium until there’s nothing left.

Read the instructions. Too many times people tighten something and then give it another tweak. Each successive tweak tightens the terminal slightly more than the rated torque.

A tradesman worth his salt shouldn’t need them.

 

[Gavin A]

I might need to get one to calibrate my wrist, as I think I'm doing it to about the right torque, but have never actually checked this with a torque screwdriver to confirm it.


eta I AM A BLOODY YORKSHIREMAN.... in response to Tony's sig

 

[Pete999]

The only time I’ve insisted on torque setting being adhered to was with aluminium conductors. This followed a spate of failures due to over tightening. You can keep on tightening aluminium until there’s nothing left.

Read the instructions. Too many times people tighten something and then give it another tweak. Each successive tweak tightens the terminal slightly more than the rated torque.

A tradesman worth his salt shouldn’t need them.

Agree, but they look soooooo nice

 

[Knobhead]

I AM A BLOODY YORKSHIREMAN.... in response to Tony's sig

If you’ve any sense, MOVE!

 

[nickblake]

I do toque mine to the required settings if they state them on there instruction booklets , Schneider are a load of plonkers mind they state you should torque up the MCB's to 3.5 nm , i have a schneider torque screw driver it does 3.4nm or 3.6nm no 3.5

 

[Knobhead]

That says it all Nick.

 

[wozz]

I have one and the required setting are surprisingly tight, tighter than i thought they would be.

Its a manuf requirement you can choose the ignore it or obey it. Easy one for inspector to pick up on if he/she chooses.

 

[Marvo]

We always use torque screwdrivers in the workshop for panel building but I rarely use one on site unless it's a requirement in the client specs. On control panels they're a pain because there's so many different components and terminals and they've all got different recommended tightening torques then you get some components that don't come with any such recommendations as well. The extra time factor of using them is quite considerable.