Anyone got Wiha Torque screwdriver

[RSB]

Hello All,


As per title has anyone got a wiha torque screwdriver? or what brand are you using?

cheers

 

[SJD]

As per title has anyone got a wiha torque screwdriver?

Yes, I have a Wiha set (torque handle, adjuster, various bits).

One criticism is I find the very small print of the torque setting hard to read, especially in low light.

 

[HandySparks]

Yes, I have a Wiha set (torque handle, adjuster, various bits).

One criticism is I find the very small print of the torque setting hard to read, especially in low light.

Does it get much use, or is it really for arse-covering purposes?

 

[telectrix]

i'd like to put one to good use in paul m's arse for that wind-up.

 

[SJD]

Does it get much use, or is it really for arse-covering purposes?

Every time I change a consumer unit, or even just one MCB - partly so I can say I've followed manufacturers instructions, but it also looks good to the customer!

 

[telectrix]

don't trust them a s far as i can throw 'em. torque up 25mm tails as per manufacturers settings, then give ' em a wriggle. they'll either come out or you can the give te screws at least a 1/2 turn to secure.

 

[SJD]

don't trust them as far as i can throw 'em. torque up 25mm tails as per manufacturers settings, then give ' em a wriggle. they'll either come out or you can the give te screws at least a 1/2 turn to secure.

With cable such as 25mm tails, whatever you use to tighten up the connections, leave them a while and often you can tighten them some more, as I guess the strands move/settle. I typically tighten these, and a bit later check/retighten.

 

[JD6400]

Does it get much use, or is it really for arse-covering purposes?

For day to day work I would have to say no , we hardly ever use our ones .
But when it comes to larger supply's and multiple dis board installs , then it is worth the effort of getting it out and setting it up to the correct values .
I know that it sort of defeat's the point in having one and not using it all of the time , but to be honest I have mixed feeling's about relying on these and prefer to trust the experience and ability of the man doing the job , with the use of these as a belt and braces approach on the larger loads .

 

[bigdavs83]

Got one as a freebie and only used it a couple of times. Not really worth the pennies it commands but nice to have in the toolbag

 

[Marvo]

We use the Wera 1/4 inch hex type in 3 different torque ranges in our workshop. They're in constant use 5 days each week on the panel building benches and they last pretty well. We had 2 fail calibration recently and they were 3-4 years old which is pretty good going for the amount of use they get.

 

[Pete999]

Sold mine on ebay

 

[HandySparks]

I think that termination technique is at least as important as torque.

For example, I have been in the habit of 'untwisting' the strands of some larger cables (tails) when terminating as I reasoned that the strands could then move freely to take up a minimum space in the terminal and be less prone to loosening.

There was a report about this a couple of years ago:
http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/mediafile/100015987/Switched-On-24.pdf
See pages 14 and 15.

The original experimental report is here:
http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/mediafile/100013801/Meter-Tail-Investigation-Report.pdf

I think that untwisting rather than 'flattening' is what matters. The group of strands will take up the shape of the terminal when tightened.

The technique is probably not of any use for small cables with fine strands in some large direct screw terminals, as the strands will just displace up the sides of the screw.

 

[shanky887614]

I think that termination technique is at least as important as torque.

For example, I have been in the habit of 'untwisting' the strands of some larger cables (tails) when terminating as I reasoned that the strands could then move freely to take up a minimum space in the terminal and be less prone to loosening.

There was a report about this a couple of years ago:
http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/mediafile/100015987/Switched-On-24.pdf
See pages 14 and 15.

The original experimental report is here:
http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/mediafile/100013801/Meter-Tail-Investigation-Report.pdf

I think that untwisting rather than 'flattening' is what matters. The group of strands will take up the shape of the terminal when tightened.

The technique is probably not of any use for small cables with fine strands in some large direct screw terminals, as the strands will just displace up the sides of the screw.

to be fair on tri-rated etc we would just use ferrules.

personally i would always use ferrules on stranded unless its a cage clamp type termination

 

[andyelectric]

Unless torquing to a high setting with a T-bar or similar or torquing to a low level to prevent shearing I find little use for a torque screwdriver. I've always found torqueing to 'hand tight' to be pretty useless as this is easily judged by feel.

 

[uksparks]

I have that one. Personally I don't go with the settings that the manufacturers say because for example if you tighten a screw up on the earth or neutral bar, say it's on 1.0mm cable then it just breaks the conductor so how are you supposed to do it eh. I personally think you are better using your own judgement, like I say if you do as per the manufacturers instructions it with break the conductors.

 

[Simonslimline]

Pretty sure electricians have managed to properly terminate connections for many years gone without the need for a torque driver.

 

[LankyWill]

Work issued me one and it's handy to have. It saves you wrenching the mcbs and causing them damage and it also saves fatigue on your hands by needlessly over tightening. The kits really good and easy to setup. Just watch 1mm connection as they might snap due to torque setting.

 

[shanky887614]

they might be handy till you try proteus then you try the tug test and the cables come out of the breaker

 

[LankyWill]

Never seen any proteus kit so I would not know

 

[Pete999]

Never seen any proteus kit so I would not know

Once used never forgotten, biggest load of rubbish ever produced imo

 

[davesparks]

Work issued me one and it's handy to have. It saves you wrenching the mcbs and causing them damage and it also saves fatigue on your hands by needlessly over tightening. The kits really good and easy to setup. Just watch 1mm connection as they might snap due to torque setting.

Learning to tighten a screw properly will save you from damaging MCBs when you tighten them .
And if 1mm snaps due to the amount of torque applied then you are over tightening it

 

[LankyWill]

Once used never forgotten, biggest load of rubbish ever produced imo

I feel the same when it comes to volex bloody terrible

 

[LankyWill]

Learning to tighten a screw properly will save you from damaging MCBs when you tighten them .
And if 1mm snaps due to the amount of torque applied then you are over tightening it

If your using the specified nm how's it your fault if the 1mm snaps?

 

[davesparks]

If your using the specified nm how's it your fault if the 1mm snaps?

Because you've over tightened it !

 

[LankyWill]

Because you've over tightened it !

Read it again and you might understand!

 

[shanky887614]

If your using the specified nm how's it your fault if the 1mm snaps?

because the torque is the recommended max!!!! torque not what you should be hitting every time.

 

[LankyWill]

because the torque is the recommended max!!!! torque not what you should be hitting every time.

No they specify what nm each connection should be tightened not there abouts. Why would they specify a number and expect you to just go a little below that. It's a specific number for a reason. Think!

 

[davesparks]

Read it again and you might understand!

I have read it and I do understand .

If you tighten a terminal to the point where the conductor snaps then you have over tightened it, what is there not to understand?

 

[LankyWill]

I have read it and I do understand .

If you tighten a terminal to the point where the conductor snaps then you have over tightened it, what is there not to understand?

The brand specifies the nm that each connection should be tightened to. If they specify 2nm and this causes the 1mm to snap it's not your fault it's the brands. Get it?

 

[davesparks]

The brand specifies the nm that each connection should be tightened to. If they specify 2nm and this causes the 1mm to snap it's not your fault it's the brands. Get it?

That is your fault , if you don't have the basic practical skills to tighten a terminal correctly them electrical installation is not the job for you!

 

[Pete999]

If your using the specified nm how's it your fault if the 1mm snaps?

Think he means if you are NOT using a torque driver and you bust it. Mind you I have been known to be wrong.

 

[shanky887614]

bs7671 says take manufacturer's instructions into account not gospel

you are dangerous my friend, overtightening is as bad as undertightening

 

[davesparks]

Think he means if you are NOT using a torque driver and you bust it. Mind you I have been known to be wrong.

I mean regardless of whether he uses a torque screwdriver or not, if he tightens it to the point that the conductor breaks it is too damned tight!

 

[Pete999]

I mean regardless of whether he uses a torque screwdriver or not, if he tightens it to the point that the conductor breaks it is too damned tight!

I agree I was just trying to point out what I thought your post meant.

 

[LankyWill]

I guess according to two people I have no electrical experience And my gold card means nothing. Do you think I hadn't notice the broken 1mm and thought owell I will just leave it loose and walk off? I was just advising the bloke that they can cause 1mm terminations to snap under the NM which the manufacturer recommends. Who do you think you are calling someone else's electrical experience into question anyway? It's a bit rude.

 

[Guest125]

I have just 'liked' far to many of Dave's posts for my liking...

 

[Pete999]

I guess according to two people I have no electrical experience And my gold card means nothing. Do you think I hadn't notice the broken 1mm and thought owell I will just leave it loose and walk off? I was just advising the bloke that they can cause 1mm terminations to snap under the NM which the manufacturer recommends. Who do you think you are calling someone else's electrical experience into question anyway? It's a bit rude.

Don't think either of us deserve that response, I for one NEVER bring your expertise or quals into question,

 

[Guest125]

These torque settings are just a way for the manufacturer to wriggle out of loose connection claims. They know full well no one installs like that and if something goes wrong they can simply say the MCB was not installed as per our instructions. You cannot get a better connection than one that you can feel is tight. No torque drivers and no drills will ever be as reliable.

 

[LankyWill]

Don't think either of us deserve that response, I for one NEVER bring your expertise or quals into question,

Not you pete999 the other two.

Davesparks
Shanky6666

Just being pathetic for the sake of it. Winds me up i was only trying to help the op. Not get into a petty tool measuring match

 

[Guest125]

I sort of hear what they are saying though. The MCB recommendation may not be the same as the cable manufacturer recommendation so which one would you follow? Or just use your hand and common sense to terminate properly.

 

[LankyWill]

I sort of hear what they are saying though. The MCB recommendation may not be the same as the cable manufacturer recommendation so which one would you follow? Or just use your hand and common sense to terminate properly.

Yeah I usually do all the breakers with the torque driver and then all the met and neutrals bars. I leave the 1mms till the end and do them by hand to avoid having to re terminate.

 

[Anthony S]

I do all mine with one of those Yankee Drivers

 

[Guest125]

I just do not trust a machine telling me that it is tight.

 

[Andy78]

Anyone who would tighten a termination and see the cable snap, and not question the validity of the recommended tightening torque or the torque driver, needs their common sense taken into question IMHO

 

[Guest125]

I can understand the first few times. Nice new tool. Don't want to slag it off yet.

Then after the 10th time - bolloxs to this - bottom of my toolbox until the next van tool amnesty....

 

[Anthony S]

Anyone ever changed a Spare Wheel and got their Torque Wrench out to Tighten up the Wheel Bolts ?

 

[shanky887614]

Anyone ever changed a Spare Wheel and got their Torque Wrench out to Tighten up the Wheel Bolts ?

nope because the only flat tyre ive had couldnt be changed as the vechical was in a ditch and the boot was obstructed

 

[davesparks]

Anyone ever changed a Spare Wheel and got their Torque Wrench out to Tighten up the Wheel Bolts ?

Nope, I've only ever used the torque wrench for a few critical things such as tightening cylinder head bolts and tensioning the timing belt

 

[Guest125]

The nearest I have come to one is looking at it on a wholesalers shelve and saying "why would I need one of those?".

 

[LankyWill]

I'm surprised you highly trained God like electricians which you all claim to be don't follow the regs and use one. Baffling