Insulated Socket Set

[zktk01]

I am looking for an insulated socket set and ratchet for some telco battery installation the 1000V is overkill, but never hurts to be safe.
Do you guys have any recommendations? Will these become more common and cheaper for techs to have for working on Hybrid vehicles?

 

[matt_i]

Best bet is to follow LOTO = lockout / tagout principles, verify zero energy, and then work safely without PPE.

Not to say that there aren't instances where the 1000vdc insulated tools are not applicable but you can go pretty far without them.

most EV batteries have internal contactors to isolate the battery itself from any kind of external wiring, you'd have to be driving (or attempting to drive) the vehicle while wrenching on it to be exposed. I don't think its likely to drive up field useage.

 

[boom10ful]

Best bet is to follow LOTO = lockout / tagout principles, verify zero energy, and then work safely without PPE.

Not to say that there aren't instances where the 1000vdc insulated tools are not applicable but you can go pretty far without them.

most EV batteries have internal contactors to isolate the battery itself from any kind of external wiring, you'd have to be driving (or attempting to drive) the vehicle while wrenching on it to be exposed. I don't think its likely to drive up field useage.

Don't forget that a welded contactor could cause the whole HV system to be live all the time. Never assume there is no voltage present.

 

[matt_i]

Excellent point although one would need 2 welded contactors to go live with the battery voltage. If previously hooked to the vehicle it would have many diagnostic faults. It doesn't use chassis ground like a 12vdc system.

 

[CS454]

Wiha or bust. It's what our shop bought for the EV work. DO NOT GET GREASE ON ANY OF IT.

 

[JradM]

I've noticed Amazon often has pretty cheap insulated tools. I think it's because they aren't very popular and the algorithms bounce the prices around until something sells.

By cheap tools, I don't mean the direct-to-Amazon Chinese rebrands. I'm talking about inexpensive (for such a specialized item) items from Knipex, Wera, Bahco, etc. It can sometimes be dramatically cheaper than the prices at industrial suppliers.

I imagine you'll want to stick to a single brand to make sure everything fits together without any gaps in the insulation - though I don't actually know how important that is. That might make things harder if you're trying to piece something together as opposed to buying a complete kit.

Actually, I wonder about that... Sockets tend to all pretty much do the same thing, so if you can find a higher-quality ratchet that might be a way to upgrade a cheap kit - but only if that doesn't result in a poor interface that creates a danger.

If you only really need certain sizes, that would help. You could add to it slower that way.

Of course, this might be for naught if you just need a kit in two day's time.

Alternately, I've spotted inexpensive kits (like this) from Titan. Titan is ok, but not top-tier in my opinion. However, it's a reputable brand so I'd be confident that the insulation rating is at least genuine.

 

[FMB4]

Very good advice in the above posts. And like others have mentioned; always, and I mean always, treat everything as if it's hot. Even when you know for darn sure that it isn't, treat it as being hot nonetheless. And yes, this where insulated socket sets, other tools, and suitable gloves play a lifesaving part.

 

[RPH]

I worked on live high power up to 3 MW. Frequency was up to 450 KHz. Your procedures and sticking to them is the first place to start. Thinking means horse than insulated tools. We used a lot of copper tube as water cooled wire, that tubing was electrically hot. One one side of the cabinet you had 700 vdc on the tube and on the other side the high frequency output could go as high as 15 kV. When working on them procedures count. Lock out / tag out works, especially if working with robots and large manufacturing cells. Live work is required quite often, loto won’t apply.
knowing what is hot, when it’s hot, how that energy is dissipated by the system is for more important than insulated tools. Knowledge of the system and reinforcing your personal work habits on it count more than a tool.
only insulated tools I carried were the screwdrivers, too many European screws to contend with.

 

[Dave455]

I am looking for an insulated socket set and ratchet for some telco battery installation the 1000V is overkill, but never hurts to be safe.
Do you guys have any recommendations? Will these become more common and cheaper for techs to have for working on Hybrid vehicles?

Yes, better safe than sorry!

Here in the U.K. there is relatively little live line working and circuits almost always have to be isolated. Despite this, insulated tools have saved many lives in the electrical, electronic and radio worlds.

ITL (Insulated Tools Ltd) are pretty much industry standard here in the U.K. The tools are not badly priced considering the quality. They offer ratchets, sockets and all the other accessories, including insulated torque wrenches.

There are some tools that I might economise on and go for Taiwanese or even Chinese, but insulated tools are not one of them!

 

[neophyte]

Yes, better safe than sorry!

Here in the U.K. there is relatively little live line working and circuits almost always have to be isolated. Despite this, insulated tools have saved many lives in the electrical, electronic and radio worlds.

ITL (Insulated Tools Ltd) are pretty much industry standard here in the U.K. The tools are not badly priced considering the quality. They offer ratchets, sockets and all the other accessories, including insulated torque wrenches.

There are some tools that I might economise on and go for Taiwanese or even Chinese, but insulated tools are not one of them!

These seem to be sold in the USA under the Jameson brand name.

Insulated Hand Tools

Since introducing the first fiberglass poles to the telecom industry in 1956, Jameson has become a leading provider of telecommunication cable installation and maintenance tools for professional installers throughout the United States and abroad.

jamesontools.com

Some of their comparison videos with other brands are interesting, since they mold the nylon? Directly on to their tool handles, whereas other brands mold plier handles separately, and then push git the handles onto the tools, or use softer less sturdy insulating materials.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Regular auto service will not make these more prolific IMO. I've been around the commercial vehicle side of this dating way back to 2010 when it was still really fresh. Good meters, Class 0/00 Gloves and in extreme cases mats are written in to more work instructions. Being from the OEM end of the business, all I've ever wanted other than what was listed was a non conductive 3/8 ratchet. You'll see more needs back at a component overhaul center.

 

[silkman]

All ze german brands have certified insulated tools, Hazet, Stahlwille, Wera etc. Super expensive last time I checked.

 

[neophyte]

All ze german brands have certified insulated tools, Hazet, Stahlwille, Wera etc. Super expensive last time I checked.

If you read up on all the testing the certified tools have to go thru, there’s dortbof a reason for the extra cost, and that’s not even considering the special design changes needed for tools like sockets and ratchets.
Basically there are voltage tests(usually 10,000v), impact tests, flame/burn tests, freeze tests which are combined with impact tests, etc.