Electric Hand Tools

The risk of electric shock from using an electric hand tool is very great. It can be fatal.

Sometimes the windings in the motor become defective and cause a short. When this happens, heat is generated and the insulation on the coil may be burned through.

If the bare wires inside come into contact with a metal casing, it too becomes energized. If there is no ground wire to carry the current from the casing back to the outlet, the current will flow into the person holding the tool. The person may suffer a fatal shock, especially if his/her hands are moist and the ground is damp.

For this reason, all power tools that are not insulated must have a ground wire. To make sure the grounding is effective, it must be continuous from the tool to the outlet. There must not be any broken or missing prongs on the plugs, either on the tool cord or extension cords.

At construction sites or any outdoor work, there should be a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. This sensitive device will cut off current even when there is a small short. A tiny amount of current is all it takes to stop the heart from beating.

Double insulated saws, drills and power tools normally have a plastic case, but it is best to read the information on the case to be sure. They are the only ones that need just a two-prong plug and receptacle.