Torque Inspection

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What is "retorque", anyway?

I think that most folks mean "put the torque wrench on the bolt and see if it clicks" (assuming a clicker torque wrench). I've always used the word to mean "back off the bolt and bring it up to proper torque again". The former meaning is, frankly, nonsensical. You can't get torque without motion, and if the bolt/nut is already properly set, you over tighten it (the usual complaint against the practice). You also have to overcome sticktion just to get it moving.

So, does anybody back-off/re-set bolts or just check to see if bolts have actually been tightened?
 
Torque Inspector

Torque Inspector

The only time I had my torque inspected was at a power house on some hefty buss.

Luke was sent out by the EC to do the job. He was following specifications set forth by the POCO that owned the plant.

There were a couple dozen or so bolts in hard to reach places and I think we put around 50 lbs. on them. The plan was that Luke was to witness a number of bolts that I tightened and then every so often had to actually tighten one himself. Oh, the other thing we had to do was put marks on the bolts.

Remember the part about hard to reach? Well, even a contortionist would have had problems getting some of these torqued down. I had done these before and knew which ones were the toughest.

I recommended that Luke be the one to tighten those as we should leave nothing at stake by letting a mere Journeyman tighten the hard to reach bolts.

As Luke was struggling, I think you all know what I chimed up to him in my best Obi Wan Kan-obi voice.

"Use the force, Luke."
 
ZBANG
Looks like you know retorque by your statements, do not forget Belleville washers are one time; non retorqueable.
 
cowboyjwc said:
How are you going to provide access if you don't have tools? Panels, switches, recepts., etc?
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I'm not sharing my tools. If you want me to open something up to look at, fine. But, it is not my responsibility to provide tools for someone else to do their job.
 
cschmid said:
EI must bring his own tools..OSHA does not cover him using your stuff..I would think he would also be required to provide his calibration verification. Was this a specified torque in the plans? or is he just being picky?
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Sec 105.2 of the North Carolina Aministrative code states that all tests shall be at the expense of the trade being tested. In this case the EC must provide the tool and do the test himself.
 
Just to clear up a few things.

This was not a 'test' it was an inspection. It is a machine shop that we wired in 2008, a

ground up job. The owner built it big enough for a future tenant or for him to expand, he is

expanding, all the work was a 400a feeder and panel and some bare bones lights and recpts

This is the job that was being inspected. the original job had 3000a 480/277Y gear and

a few transformers and both voltages of bus duct thruout the shop, plus all the machines

and no 'torque' at that inspection.
 
Gosh what all do your inspectors want ? Does he get escort to the job and golf cart to each area ? Sure don't wanta see him sweat any by walking. Can he handle carrying a code book and clip board ? Give me a break and send a man not a boy to do his job. Can he use a ladder without someone holding it for him ? Something very wrong up there.
 
Maybe i come off wrong with my attitude. My method is to try to be there for the inspector and we start off with a friendly hello. I answer all his questions best i can but if he does not want to take my word on how or if i did something then fine he can check himself. The ones that know me understand that i want same thing they do. Yes i mess up sometimes and they catch it and thats cool but if i say i did something and my word is not enough then fine your on your own.
 
You Know I have been doing this for several years now (like maybe 27 +) and I can honestly say i have never had a inspector check a torque on any equipment I have ever installed. I have never had a connection I torqued fail either (knock on wood). I also torque the bolts on pump flanges...
 
sparks2000 said:
OSHA 1910.304(g)(2)(iii) "One phase conductor of a multiphase system where one phase is grounded shall be grounded"

OK?
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Enough of this already. With apologies to Marky the Sparky (K8MHZ), OSHA 1910.304(2)(iii) actually reads:

"The common conductor of a multiphase system having one wire common to all phases shall be grounded;".
 
480sparky said:
Whose admin code?
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Every building department has to adopt an administrative code. Whether it's Section 100 of the IBC or Article 80 of the NEC. 108.4.4 of the IBC is part of the one I quoted, it's also Article 89.108.4.4 of the NEC, the other part is out of our admin code which came from the 1997 UAC.
 
cowboyjwc said:
Every building department has to adopt an administrative code. Whether it's Section 100 of the IBC or Article 80 of the NEC. 108.4.4 of the IBC is part of the one I quoted, it's also Article 89.108.4.4 of the NEC, the other part is out of our admin code which came from the 1997 UAC.
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That's my point.......... whatever code you've adopted there doesn't necessarily apply to everyone.
 
G0049 said:
With apologies to Marky the Sparky (K8MHZ), OSHA 1910.304(2)(iii) actually reads:

"The common conductor of a multiphase system having one wire common to all phases shall be grounded;".
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How about:

"Where a multi-phase system has one wire common to all phases, that conductor shall be grounded."
 
480sparky said:
That's my point.......... whatever code you've adopted there doesn't necessarily apply to everyone.
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I'll still bet that if you are not there for the inspection, you are not getting a complete inspection. I'll take your plates off if you want, but I'm not going to be lining up all the screws, and since I don't carry a ladder, then I can't get into the attic to see if you have every thing secured. No one there to show me the cold water bond, I'll only look for it for so long. Not there to open up the switch gear.....

I'm sure you get the point. I carry a flashlight, a cheap screwdriver and a gfci tester and a pen. Want to guess which tool I use the most?:grin:
 
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