3-19
After completing the task requiring the use of soldering iron, disconnect the power cord from the
receptacle and, when the iron has cooled, stow it in its assigned storage area.
Portable Electric Power Tools
Navy specifications for portable electric power tools require that the electric cord of each tool have a
distinctively marked ground wire in addition to the conductors for supplying power to the tool. (Double-
insulated portable electric tools obtained from sources qualified under the applicable military
specification are exempt from this grounding requirement.) The end of the ground wire within the tool
must be connected to the metal housing of the tool. The other end must be connected to a positive ground.
For this ground connection, specifically designed ground-type plugs and receptacles, which automatically
make this connection when the plug is inserted into the receptacle, must be used. These grounded-type
receptacles must be installed for all power outlets. When installed, they must be used with the grounded-
type plugs to ground portable tools and equipment. If grounded-type receptacles have not yet been
installed, they must be installed as soon as possible. Portable tools not provided with the ground-type
plug, and miscellaneous portable electric equipment that does not have a cord with a ground conductor
and grounded plug, must be given a three-conductor cord with a standard Navy grounded-type plug. The
ground wire must be connected to a positive ground.
Care must be exercised in connecting the plugs and cords. The grounding conductor of the cord must
be connected to the ground contact of the plug at one end and to the metal equipment housing at the other
end. The cord must be arranged so as not to create a tripping hazard. If the conductor connected to the
metallic equipment housing is inadvertently connected to a line contact of the plug, a dangerous potential
would be placed on the equipment casing. This could result in a fatal shock to the operator. If the cord is
pulled loose from the plug, only a qualified electrician is authorized to repair it.
If the grounded-type plugs and receptacles have not been installed in the spaces where a portable tool
is to be used, other types of plugs and receptacles may be used only if a separate ground wire is connected
between the tool housing and a positive ground. When the tool cord does not include an extra wire for
grounding, an additional insulated wire should be connected between the metal housing of the tool and
ground. If the tool housing has two or more conducting parts that are not electrically connected, each part
must be connected to the ground wire. Connection of the ground wire to the tool housing and to the
ground must be by means of screws or bolts. The use of spring clips for either end of the grounding wire
is prohibited.
When the ground connection is to be made by means other than a contact in the plug and receptacle,
care must be taken to secure a good contact between the ground wire and the metal by scraping away
paint from the metal to ensure a clean surface. The ground connection must be made before inserting the
power supply connecting plug, and the plug must be pulled out before removing the ground connection.
Frequent inspections of each of the connections of a portable electric tool must be made to ensure that the
supply cord and its connections within the tool are suitably insulated and that the ground connection is
intact.
The safety precautions just discussed are to protect you and your shipmates. Follow safety
precautions to the letter. DO NOT TAKE CHANCES. Carelessness could cost you your life.
Q16. What safety precaution must you observe when soldering or hot-wire stripping fluoroplastic
insulated wire?
Q17. What must be used to test an activated circuit?
Q18. How should excess solder be removed from a hot soldering iron?
