A power wrench is type of
wrench
A wrench or spanner is a tool used to provide grip and mechanical advantage in applying torque to turn objects—usually rotary fasteners, such as nuts and bolts—or keep them from turning.
In the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zeala ...
that is powered by other means than human force. A typical
power source is
compressed air. There are two main types of power wrenches: ''
impact wrench
An impact wrench (also known as an impactor, impact gun, air wrench, air gun, rattle gun, torque gun, windy gun) is a socket wrench power tool designed to deliver high torque output with minimal exertion by the user, by storing energy in a rota ...
es'' and ''air ratchet wrenches'' or ''pneumatic ratchet wrenches''.
[.]
Air ratchet wrench
An air ratchet wrench is very similar to hand-powered
ratchet wrench
A socket wrench (or socket spanner) is a type of spanner (or wrench in North American English) that uses a closed ''socket'' format, rather than a typical open wrench/spanner to turn a fastener, typically in the form of a nut or bolt.
The mos ...
es in that it has the same square drive, but an
air motor
A pneumatic motor (air motor), or compressed air engine, is a type of motor which does mechanical work by expanding compressed air. Pneumatic motors generally convert the compressed air energy to mechanical work through either linear or rotary ...
is attached to turn the socket drive. Pulling the trigger activates the motor which turns the socket drive. A switch is provided to change which direction the socket drive turns.
This type of power wrench is designed more for speed and less for torque. If high levels of torque are desired an impact wrench should be used.
References
Bibliography
*{{Citation , last = Webster , first = Jay , title = Outdoor Power Equipment , publisher = Cengage Learning , year = 2000 , url = https://books.google.com/books?id=p3ZHkkm4QU0C , isbn = 978-0-7668-1391-5.
Wrenches