ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area torque screwdriver

I just purchased a new torque screw driver. And I tested my connections at a recent panel upgrade. It amazed me how under torqued my connections were, on the breakers, on the bus bars.

I like my new tool. From now on I am torquing all of my small screws.

it is a great little tool.

How often are you going to get it calibrated?

Be careful about dropping it or banging it.

Does it click free at the setpoint or does it record maximum value?

Watch out for over-torquing: striped threads are no fun.

It has been my experience that the troops over-torque circuit breakers to the point of needing to replace the set screws or even the breaker. ( Manufacturers will not warranty field disassembled and re-fabricated breakers. )

I personally torque down all bussing at the MSB -- and subsequently Meg it out. Megging catches dropped fasteners.

When my troops screw up they never admit it, usually, so I have to verify everything.

----

Famously, years ago, a sloppy crew installed a MSB upgrade in quarters so tight that it had to be disassembled and constructed in place.

Six months later it blew-up in a complete arc blast: the boyz never properly torqued down the bussing. The customer recalled that it was really buzzing before it blew. Naturally, the EC was not called until it was a complete disaster.

So, yes, torque down the bus and breakers.

I think the instruction said once a year for calibration.
It clicks once reached predetermined setting. its range is 20-70 in-LB