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ASME B107.500-2010 — Pliers
🧰 ASME B107.500-2010, published by the ASME B107 Committee, is a consolidated pliers standard that merges twelve individual pliers standards into one document: B107.11 (Pliers: Diagonal Cutting and End Cutting), B107.13 (Pliers: Long Nose, Long Reach), B107.16 (Shears, Metal Cutting, Hand), B107.18 (Pliers: Wire Twister), B107.19 (Pliers: Retaining Ring), B107.20 (Pliers: Lineman’s, Iron Worker’s, Gas, Glass, Fence, and Battery), B107.22 (Electronic Cutters and Pliers), B107.23 (Pliers: Multiple Position, Adjustable), B107.24 (Pliers: Locking, Clamp, and Tubing Pinch-Off), B107.25 (Pliers: Performance Test Methods), B107.27 (Pliers: Multiple Position, Electrical Connector), and B107.37 (Pliers: Wire Cutters/Strippers). The incorporation and revision was approved by ANSI on June 14, 2010, and the Standard was issued on January 7, 2011.
💡 The point of consolidation: the twelve separate standards previously used differing formats and test methods. B107.500 unifies the five-part structure — definitions, references, performance requirements, tests, and safety requirements and limitations of use — and consistently embeds performance requirements and safety tests in every tool chapter, giving one book that covers the whole family.
1. Scope and General Framework 📌
The purpose of B107.500 is to define essential performance and safety requirements for several types of pliers, including long nose pliers, shears, electronic pliers, and wire cutters; it specifies test methods to evaluate performance related to these requirements and indicates limitations of safe use. As with the rest of the B107 series, it serves as a guide for selection, testing, and use, supports manuals and training, and may be referenced by regulatory bodies. The covered plier families are summarized below:
| Source Standard | Tool | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| B107.11 | Diagonal Cutting and End Cutting pliers | Cutting wire, cable, and fine metal |
| B107.13 | Long Nose, Long Reach pliers | Gripping and bending wire in confined spaces |
| B107.16 | Shears (Metal Cutting, Hand) | Cutting sheet metal |
| B107.18 | Wire Twister pliers | Twisting tie wire |
| B107.19 | Retaining Ring pliers | Installing/removing retaining rings |
| B107.20 | Lineman’s, Iron Worker’s, Gas, Glass, Fence, Battery pliers | Trade-specific pliers |
| B107.22 | Electronic Cutters and Pliers | Fine cutting in electronics assembly |
| B107.23 | Multiple Position, Adjustable pliers | Multi-position grip adjustment |
| B107.24 | Locking, Clamp, Tubing Pinch-Off pliers | Self-locking grip and tube pinch-off |
| B107.27 | Multiple Position, Electrical Connector pliers | Electrical connector crimping |
| B107.37 | Wire Cutters/Strippers | Stripping and cutting wire insulation |
⚠️ Many of the source standards target tools used in electrical work: cutting pliers intended for energized-service work must meet the insulation and dielectric requirements of the applicable clauses — never substitute ordinary pliers, which risk electric shock.
2. Classifications and Design Features 🔧
The Standard provides classifications and nomenclature figures for each plier family. Using cutting pliers as an example:
- Type I, diagonal cutting, regular nose, plain: the general-purpose diagonal cutter for everyday wire work;
- Type I alternate designs: variants with stripping notches and a skinning hole, or a cushion grip throat, for combined cutting/stripping duty and comfort;
- Type II, regular nose, compound action: a linkage-amplified design that multiplies cutting force for thicker, harder wire;
- Type IV, end cutting: cutting edges at the jaw tips, used to trim wire flush at terminals.
The Standard uses typical profiles of severed copper wire with corresponding cutting-edge cross sections (Fig. 1) as the acceptance quality criterion for edge conditioning: a compliant cutter severs the conductor with a clean cross-section, without gross flattening or burrs, directly reflecting whether the edge geometry and clearance adjustment are correct.
🚨 The cutting test is the core acceptance method for cutters: cut wire of specified diameter and hardness at the prescribed edge location (typically mid-to-rear of the jaws) — the edge must not chip and must not repeatedly produce “cut-through” indentations. Never use ordinary pliers to cut steel wire or hardened material; the edge is ruined immediately.
3. Performance Requirements and Test Methods 🧪
Sections 5 (Performance Requirements) and 6 (Tests) provide a uniform test framework:
- Cutting test: cut copper/aluminum wire of specified gauge at the prescribed edge location; inspect cross-section quality and edge integrity;
- Hardness verification: Rockwell hardness at the edge location per ASTM E18, ensuring a wear-resistant but non-brittle edge;
- Pivot and function checks: jaw clearance, smooth opening/closing, and retaining-ring opening capacity per the source standard;
- Insulation/dielectric tests: dielectric strength verification for insulated-rated pliers (per the applicable clauses);
- Acceptance: after testing, no chipped edges, no permanent distortion, and full function, plus each source standard’s specific requirements.
4. Safety Requirements and Limitations of Use 🛠️
- Match the tool to the job: select the plier family by wire size, material, and voltage rating;
- Live electrical work: use only insulated-rated pliers with proper personal protective equipment;
- Flying fragments: wear eye protection when cutting hard wire, as severed ends can fly;
- Edge protection: never cut steel wire, spring steel, or materials beyond design capability;
- Routine inspection: retire pliers with loose pivots, chipped edges, or damaged insulation;
- Marking: safety signs and size identification per ANSI Z535.4.
5. Engineering Practice Essentials ⚙️
- Trade-specific kits: outfit electrician, assembly, and electronics workstations with the B107.500 families matched to each trade, avoiding cross-purpose use;
- Pivot maintenance: lubricate the pivot lightly and periodically to keep action smooth and prevent edge misalignment;
- Cutting technique: cut heavy wire near the pivot (root of the jaws) and fine wire at the tips to extend tool life;
- Procurement acceptance: request cutting test and hardness data to verify conformance with the corresponding B107.500 chapter.
6. Frequently Asked Questions ❓
❓ Q: How does B107.500 relate to the former individual standards such as B107.11?
A: B107.500 is the incorporation and revision of the twelve source standards; each tool’s content is fully merged into the appropriate chapter of this Standard. Reference B107.500 directly.
A: B107.500 is the incorporation and revision of the twelve source standards; each tool’s content is fully merged into the appropriate chapter of this Standard. Reference B107.500 directly.
❓ Q: Why is cutting wire the core acceptance indicator?
A: Cutting is what cutters do. The Standard objectively judges edge geometry and heat-treatment quality through the severed cross-section of a specified copper wire, edge integrity, and cutting effort — the most direct, repeatable performance criterion.
A: Cutting is what cutters do. The Standard objectively judges edge geometry and heat-treatment quality through the severed cross-section of a specified copper wire, edge integrity, and cutting effort — the most direct, repeatable performance criterion.
❓ Q: Can ordinary pliers be used as electronic or wire-stripping pliers?
A: No. B107.22 electronic pliers and B107.37 wire cutters/strippers impose specific edge geometry, size, and insulation requirements; mixing in ordinary pliers causes poor cuts, crushed conductors, or insulation risk.
A: No. B107.22 electronic pliers and B107.37 wire cutters/strippers impose specific edge geometry, size, and insulation requirements; mixing in ordinary pliers causes poor cuts, crushed conductors, or insulation risk.
🔍 Q: What is the advantage of compound action cutting pliers?
A: The linkage amplifies the applied force, so heavier, harder wire can be cut with less hand effort, while the handle stroke is longer and more comfortable for extended work.
A: The linkage amplifies the applied force, so heavier, harder wire can be cut with less hand effort, while the handle stroke is longer and more comfortable for extended work.
