Hydraulic Torque Wrench Calibration: Why is It So Critical?

coal mine that tunnels deep below the earth. A thousand-mile oil pipeline. A power generation plant that keeps the lights on for an entire metropolitan area.

What do these things have in common?

They were all built or maintained by hydraulic torque wrenches, high-capacity industrial wrenches powered by 10,000 PSI hydraulic air or electric pumps. They typically have a torque output accuracy of +/- 3 percent of reading.

And because these wrenches handle critical jobs – such as mining or power plant maintenance – it’s just as critical that they are properly calibrated at regular intervals.

  • They are torque wrenches with a measurable output that must be properly verified.
  • Only the calibration test procedure can detect an internal seal leak, which is something that will not be apparent during normal use.
  • These tools have critical lubricant inside the wrench and most are used in industrial environments.  The lubricant level can change while being used which can significantly change the torque output of that tool without the operator knowing.

Hydraulic torque wrench calibration should only be performed by accredited calibration labs.  If you need hydraulic torque wrench calibration for your next project, turn to Southern Industrial Tool certification and calibration equipment, all part of a laboratory that has been accredited.

  • These labs have strict processes for performing the calibration.
  • They use trained technicians familiar with these tools.
  • They make certain all hydraulic torque wrench calibration standards are traceable.