Power Tools

 Why it is Unsafe to use Power Tools in the Rain

Power tools all have one major thing in common - they all need some form of electricity and power to run, whether in the form of a battery or from mains electricity.

 

When using power tools it’s a really bad idea to use them in the rain because electricity and water should never come into contact with each other.  If this happens then the water conducts the electricity and causes a short circuit that causes damage to the tool that is usually irreparable and can also give an electric shock to the person using it.

 

Short Circuit

Even the smallest drop of water is enough to cause a short circuit in a power tool and for there to be a serious risk of injury to the user.  So even if your power tool looks like it is waterproof it’s not worth the risk of damage and injury to use it if there’s a chance that it could get wet.

 

A short circuit is caused when there isn’t much resistance to the flow of electricity in a current and also when electricity strays outside of it’s intended current, coming into contact with electricity that was meant to flow in a different section.  Short circuits are dangerous because, as there it is caused when there isn’t much resistance to the flow of electricity, the amount of electricity in the circuit becomes much more than it is supposed to have in it, making it unstable and unpredictable.

 

As water is a conductor it can “bridge the gap” in the current and allow it to connect in a place that it shouldn’t, which makes it particularly dangerous.

 

What to do when Power Tools get Wet

Not only should you not use power tools in the rain, but you shouldn’t use them if they have got wet as they could have water inside them and that could still cause a short circuit.

 

However, if your tools have got wet then there are some things you can do to make sure they are safe to use again.

 

1. Disassemble

The easiest way to see if a power tool is dry is to disassemble it and look inside.  If you don’t want to disassemble your power tool or you’re not confident about doing it then you could just wait for it to dry, but you would need to wait at least a few days for it to dry out entirely.

 

If you do decide to disassemble it then the first thing to do is to make sure that the power tool is switched off and unplugged from the electric source and remember to take care when taking the tool apart.

 

2. Use Distilled Water

Your tool will need to be cleaned before you can dry it because rainwater is full of dust and other things which could cause problems in your tools by causing the parts to clog up as well as short circuit.

 

It is essential that you use distilled water for this job as it doesn’t have any of the particles in it that could cause problems for your tools.

 

3. Dry the Tools

The next thing to do is to dry all the parts of the tool and the easiest way to do it is to blow-dry them as that way you won’t get any more dust or particles on the parts, which you would if you used a cloth or a towel.

 

It is possible to blow-dry the power tools without disassembling them if you wanted to, however, it would not clean or dry them as thoroughly as blow-drying it when disassembled does.

 

Leaving the parts out in the sun is an alternative method of drying it to blow-drying as the water will quickly evaporate as the parts heat up.

 

You could also use compressed air to clean the smaller or more delicate parts of the tool.

 

4. Oil the Parts

It’s important to oil all the parts of the tool that require it as it not only helps to keep everything in good working order, especially if oiled as part of regular maintenance, but it can show if any parts are not fully dry as oil and water do not mix.

 

5. Do Not Use WD40

Do not use WD40 on your power tool - it might seem like the obvious solution for drying the tools as it repels water, but it actually attracts dust particles, which would be pointless after you’ve just cleaned and dried it.  It can also cause more short circuits and other damage to tools.

 

Safety Precautions

The safest thing you can do if you are going to use power tools is to make sure that they never get wet at all.  Don’t use them in the rain or leave them anywhere where water can get near them.

 

As well as making sure that your tools never get wet, there are a few other things that you can do to make sure that you stay safe while using them.

 

Before using your tools you should always inspect them to make sure that they appear to be in full working order and to make sure that they are not damaged and that nothing - whether water or not - has gone into the tools that could cause a short circuit.

 

It’s just as important to make sure that no water has got into your power outlet as that can be just as dangerous as wet tools.  Therefore, you should always use an outlet that is designed to switch the power off if they detect water.  These are known as ground force interrupting outlets (GFCI) and make it much safer for the user.

 

Store Under Cover

The best way to store your tools is undercover and completely away from any chance of them getting wet.  However, if you need to leave your tools outside then laying them on something waterproof such as a tarp would be safe for the short-term, so long as you remembered to cover them with another one if it is going to rain.  It would also be advisable to keep the tools somewhere higher if possible to avoid any chance of water running onto the tarp they are laid on.