ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area retorqueing the meter

Good one Motor-T. I would definitely follow directions on engine rebuilds, have done it myself. What I was trying to say is I,IMHO, do not believe it is necessary to carry around torque wrenches for tightening lugs. I never have in 40 years and never have had a loose connection or stripped a lug. Now I better go knock on wood or the next one I will mess up.<g>

There are 3 types of torque measurements: inch-pounds, foot-pounds and erks. Erk is the sound a bolt makes just before breaking. Or you can tighten 'till the bolt glows red & lets out a puff of smoke.

Virgil, just buy the Klein torque screwdriver. Sears sells a click type torque wrench for about $50 (or at least thay did a couple of years ago) that goes to 250 in/lbs. For the big stuff, I use a Sears beam type torque wrench.

Smurf, when I purchased my Klien torque screwdriver, I let a lot of electricians tighten up a wire to a breker & found that they were consistently 25% below the value listed on the breaker. They were all afraid they were about to strip the screw.

[This message has been edited by Tom (edited 04-01-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Tom (edited 04-01-2002).]

I thought you turned em until it turned easy, then backed it out half a turn

I use an old German model I believe it is called "The Goodentight" !

Smurf
I understand where you are coming from and the manufactureer doesnt make it any easier by their choice of heads the use for the screws,
In another thread someone pointed out a law-suit that the electrician was blamed for a fire. The electrician was asked do you have a torquing screw-driver and of course he replied No he did not. and the the plaintif made their case.
I ordered the Klein Screw-driver if just for cya... or is it cma, but even in the new code handbook there is a page and a half of torque requirements, I already have a torque wrench for the bigger jobs up to 250in-#. And you are right i dont know of a single electrician that even has a torque wrench except me, until recently i was one of them.
But thats the way I see it.
-Mark-