{"id":1410,"date":"2012-05-08T18:22:14","date_gmt":"2012-05-08T22:22:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.powerservicesgroup.com\/?p=1410"},"modified":"2017-03-10T18:22:48","modified_gmt":"2017-03-10T23:22:48","slug":"beware-exploding-sockets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.powerservicesgroup.com\/2012\/05\/beware-exploding-sockets\/","title":{"rendered":"Beware Exploding Sockets"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Beware Exploding Sockets<\/h2>\n

Hytorc\u00ae bolting heads have long been regarded as a safer alternative to hammering on a striking wrench to remove stubborn case bolts.\u00a0 But even impact sockets can shatter under extreme Hytorc\u00ae pressures, sending shrapnel rocketing across the turbine deck.\u00a0 These explosive failures can cause serious injury or even death.<\/p>\n

These failures can be reduced, but not eliminated, by using the correct socket. Impact rated sockets must be used at a minimum.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Old or worn sockets are of particular concern. Ill-fitting sockets do not fit tight on bolt heads.\u00a0 This changes the stress points from the corners to the flats of the sockets and causes them to fail.\u00a0 Best practice is to inspect sockets regularly and color code or otherwise identify them for this use. Another check for reliability would be to have the sockets inspected for potential indications of stress using NDE methods.\u00a0 Hytorc\u00ae makes their own sockets and this may give an extra level of confidence.\u00a0 However, in their safety note, Hytorc\u00ae only prohibits the use of altered, heavily used, damaged or chrome sockets.<\/p>\n

Any socket can fail, so take steps to mitigate the result.\u00a0 If possible, shroud the socket with a piece of pipe cut slightly bigger than the diameter of the socket and same height. If the socket fails, the pipe will hold everything inside. TGM is currently investigating a fiber impregnated tape designed to contain the debris. We also recommend tying off the head to prevent it dropping or flying off after a failure.<\/p>\n

Be aware of your hydraulic forces.\u00a0 Sockets are prone to failure when torqued more than twice the specified amount for assembly. Backup wrenches may not be rated for the torque applied.\u00a0 Limit torque to the capacity of the weakest tool in the application.\u00a0 Hytorc\u00ae publishes charts on their website which convert pump pressure to torque applied for each of their tools.<\/p>\n

Finally, protect your personnel.\u00a0 No one is to be in contact with the head or backup wrenches after initial clamping pressure is applied and until pressure is released. Determine the potential debris path and keep personnel away from the area. You can also use a piece of plywood or metal as a shield.\u00a0 Face shielding is recommended as PPE for all personnel near the danger zone.<\/p>\n

Remember that Hytorc\u00ae equipment is dangerous and must only be operated by trained individuals.\u00a0 Best practice is to have the same person operate both the tool head and the pump.\u00a0 When this is not possible, the pump operator must be in sight of the tool operator.\u00a0 Three way communication must be used between them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Beware Exploding Sockets Hytorc\u00ae bolting heads have long been regarded as a safer alternative to hammering on a striking wrench to remove stubborn case bolts.\u00a0 But even impact sockets can shatter under extreme Hytorc\u00ae pressures, sending shrapnel rocketing across the turbine deck.\u00a0 These explosive failures can cause serious injury or even death. These failures can […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1410","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-safety-tips"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.powerservicesgroup.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1410","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.powerservicesgroup.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.powerservicesgroup.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.powerservicesgroup.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.powerservicesgroup.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1410"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.powerservicesgroup.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1410\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1412,"href":"https:\/\/www.powerservicesgroup.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1410\/revisions\/1412"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.powerservicesgroup.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1410"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.powerservicesgroup.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1410"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.powerservicesgroup.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1410"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}