Hardware and Construction Guides Page 4: 93 technical guides for choosing Hardware and Construction products: selection criteria, standards, common mistakes and frequently asked questions.
What Is a Laser Measuring Device? Types and Selection Criteria — A laser measuring device is a portable measuring and alignment tool that measures distance with a laser beam, projects horizontal and vertical reference lines or shows angles digitally. Special Wrench Types: Choosing Adjustable, Hook and Pipe Wrenches — Special wrenches are hand wrenches made for specific connections: the adjustable wrench for hex nuts, the hook wrench for slotted round nuts and the toothed pipe wrench for round pipes. What Is Electrical Safety Equipment? Types and Selection Criteria — Electrical safety equipment is the insulating, indicating and warning gear that protects people switching and maintaining live installations against electric shock. What Is a Data Logger? Types and Selection Criteria — A data logger is a device that measures quantities such as temperature and humidity at set intervals, stores them with date and time and transfers the record to a computer or phone. What Are Glue Guns and Heat Guns? Selection Criteria — A glue gun melts a glue stick and pushes it out of the nozzle to bond parts; a heat gun blows heated air for shrinking sleeves, stripping paint and bending plastic. What Is a Rechargeable Battery? Types and Selection Criteria — A rechargeable battery is refilled in a suitable charger when it runs flat; AA, AAA, C and D size NiMH batteries have a nominal voltage of 1.2 V. What Are Ammeters and Voltammeters? Types and Selection Criteria — An ammeter measures current; a voltammeter measures voltage and current together and shows the phase angle and power. It is used to check meter connections and find faults. Electrical Maintenance Sprays: Contact Spray vs Rust Inhibitor — Electrical maintenance products are contact sprays that remove dirt and oxide from contacts and rust inhibitor sprays that protect metal from moisture and rust and free seized parts. What Is a Cleaning and Protection Spray? How to Use It — A cleaning and protection spray is an aerosol maintenance product that dissolves dirt and oxide on electrical contacts or leaves a film protecting metal from moisture and rust. What Is a Handheld Tachometer? Types and Selection Criteria — A handheld tachometer is a portable instrument that measures the rotational speed (RPM) of a shaft such as a motor, fan or conveyor, optically or by contact. What Is a Terminal and Connector Crimping Plier? Types and Selection — A terminal and connector crimping plier is a hand tool that presses a cable terminal or connector contact onto the conductor to make a permanent, solderless connection. What Is a Lug Crimping Tool? Types and Selection Criteria — A lug crimping tool is a mechanical or hydraulic hand tool that permanently attaches a cable lug to a cable by pressing the lug barrel onto the conductor. What Is a Pencil Soldering Iron? Types and Selection Criteria — A pencil soldering iron is a handheld soldering tool, held like a pen, whose electrically heated tip melts solder for cables, connectors and circuit boards. What Is a Multimeter? Multimeter and Clamp Meter Guide — A multimeter is a test instrument that measures quantities such as voltage, current and resistance with one device; this guide covers clamp meters, True RMS and CAT selection. Batteries Selection Guide — Batteries are divided by IEC code into sizes such as AA, AAA, C, D and 9 V, and into chemistries such as zinc-carbon and alkaline; choose the size and chemistry the device requires. Measuring Instruments Selection Guide — Measuring instruments are divided by the quantity measured into groups such as multimeters, clamp meters, testers, power analyzers, oscilloscopes and thermometers. Clamp Meters Selection Guide — Clamp meters are divided into AC-only, AC/DC, fork, flexible-clamp and leakage current types; selection looks at criteria such as the current range. Hand Tools Selection Guide — Hand tools fall into cable cutting and stripping, crimping, gripping and cutting, screws and bolts, and soldering; choose by the job at hand. Electronic Measuring Instruments Selection Guide — Electronic measuring instruments cover LCR meters and function and signal generators; for an LCR meter, test frequency and measured parameters decide. Ferrule Crimping Pliers Selection Guide — Ferrule pliers crimp the ferrule barrel with an indent, four-sided or hexagonal profile; selection depends on the crimp shape, plier design and cross-section range. Hardware and Construction Selection Guide — Hardware and construction covers hand tools, measuring instruments, batteries, workplace safety, hose reels and maintenance products; for measuring instruments, the measurement category matters.