Sparks Electrical News March 2017

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TOOLS OF THE TRADE 17
SPARKS
ELECTRICAL NEWS MARCH 2017
C ordless is ‘the new big thing’ in power tools and two tools from Black+Decker that have this capabil-
ity, on top of being versatile, are the Multievo and the power screw driver.
The Black+Decker Multievo is an ideal multi-tool, offering the patented ability to convert into
different power tools when combined with different accessories. The Black+Decker 18V Li-Ion Multievo
comes with a starter kit which includes a drill driver head and two 1.5 Ah batteries in a kit box. It also has 10
torque settings and the ability to convert into different power tools simply by changing the head. The battery
holds a charge for 90 days when idle, so there is no need to recharge between each use and it comes with
an easy to change spare battery.
Additional heads can be purchased and include the Multievo Multi-tool: Jigsaw head; scissor attachment,
impact driver; hammer drill attachment; trim saw attachment; router attachment; inflator attachment;
reciprocating saw attachment; sander attachment; and oscillating attachment.
The compact Black+Decker 3.6 V Li-ion screwdriver has a right angle attachment that allows for eight
pivoting positions to access all areas. It has an
LED work light for visibility in dark areas, hidden
corners, edges and inside furniture. The 1.5 Ah
battery, once charged, holds its charge for up to
18 months when idle.
Enquiries: +27 (0)11 472 0454
CORDLESS: THE NEW ‘BIG THING’ IN POWER TOOLS
POWER TOOLS
WITH LITHIUM-ION
BATTERIES
(RS), trading brand
of (LSE:ECM), has
announced the availability – from leading
manufacturers such as , and
– of a wide range of power tools that
use lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries.
The power tools are ideal as a replacement
for those that currently run on nickel-cadmium
(NiCd) batteries, which have been widely used in
power tools for many years. Previously, the ad-
vantage of this type of cell was that NiCd batter-
ies would maintain a steady output voltage until
they were almost completely depleted, whereas
the voltage offered by alkaline or lead-acid types,
for example, would drop with depletion of the
battery.
However, the cadmium used in this type of
cell is carcinogenic and highly toxic and thus
impacts on the environment when disposed in
landfill. The EU Batteries Directive 2013/56/EU
previously included an exemption for NiCd bat-
teries used in power tools but this was removed
as of 31 December 2016 and new NiCd power
tool batteries can no longer be made available
to the market.
Li-ion battery powered tools are not
interchangeable with NiCd types so upgrades in
power toolswill be required. Key advantages of Li-
ion batteries include: no memory effect; virtually
no self-discharge; and the ability to be recharged
at any time, regardless of the current state of
charge. They are also smaller in size and lower in
weight than their equivalent NiCd versions. These
advantages mean that manufacturers can create
higher voltage and higher capacity batteries and
therefore a longer run time without increasing the
weight or size for the equivalent NiCd version.
The new range of power tools from RS
Components contributes to the range of
RS solutions supporting
programmes.
Enquiries: +27 (0)11 691 9300