Talking to a fire investigator made me double-check my torque specs

He told me a house fire started from a loose neutral on a main lug that 'felt tight'. He said, 'Your hand isn't a click wrench, man.' I've been using my calibrated wrench on every service since. Anyone else have a wake-up call about hand-tightening big connections?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_nathan1mo ago

Man, that's everywhere now. We trust our gut on stuff that really needs a number, from car lug nuts to these electrical connections. That false sense of "good enough" is a real trap.

webb.daniel1mo ago

My calibrated wrist hasn't failed me yet (knock on wood).

jana_hart181mo ago

My uncle's a mechanic and he says the worst stripped threads he sees are from guys with "calibrated wrists." I mean, maybe it works until it doesn't, and then you're buying a whole new part. Idk, just seems like a gamble.