My mind changed on torque screwdrivers after a weird fault

I never used them for basic terminations. Seeing how even slight over-tightening can cause problems made me a believer.

3 comments

3 Comments

wesley1811mo agoMost Upvoted

Funny you mention that. I read an article last week about busbar connections in panels. The writer found that uneven torque from a regular driver caused hot spots and eventual failure over time. It wasn't about being loose, but about the inconsistency. One terminal at 8 inch-pounds and the next at 12 makes a real difference. That sold me on using a torque tool for anything carrying a real load. It just takes the guesswork out.

felix_black1mo ago

Reading about the 8 vs 12 inch-pound difference made me rethink my lazy torque habits.

amy9741mo ago

The hot spots thing sold me too.