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U.S. Department of Energy
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Comparative study of the energy characteristics of powered hand tools. Part I. Executive briefing. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5896790
The results of a theoretical analysis and a field test program to determine the relative energy efficiencies of different types of powered hand tools are presented. First analyzed and then tested were grinders, drills and nutrunners powered by hydraulic fluid, compressed air 60 Hz single phase electricity, three phase 180 Hz electricity, three phase 360 Hz electricity and, in the case of flexible shaft tools, three phase 60 Hz power. The work included the determination of the energy use of the total system including air compressors and frequency converters where appropriate. Distribution system losses also were considered. The result of the work is that the pneumatic tools, which have become the most popular tools in industry, use between five and fifteen times more energy than the various electrically powered tools to do the same work.
Research Organization:
Varigas Research, Inc., Timonium, MD (USA)
OSTI ID:
5896790
Report Number(s):
SAN-1731-T1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English