Sapphire range of electrical tools
Electric Screwdriver
1972-1973 (made)
1972-1973 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
From the Design Journal editorial, COID Awards 1972, March, 1972. pp.29-34.
Judging by previous years, three people are likely to be killed and nearly 50 injured during 1972 by faulty earthing in portable electrical tools in industry; in the home, 10 people will probably be killed in similar accidents. The majority of fatalities result from a wrongly-connected or loose earth wire coming into contact with a live component; this causes the metal casing of a tool to become part of the circuit, live and therefore lethal.
These faults cannot occur in any of the Sapphire range, for they are not fitted with an earth wire. Instead, every Sapphire tool is double-insulated so that there is no possibility of any part of the casing becoming live.
Double insulation begins with the motor spindle, which has a non-conductive plastics shroud so that there is no possibilty of electrical contact between the gears and the motor. The second level of protection is provided by the casing, which is moulded in impact-resistant grp and is therefore totally non-conductive. The range includes two drills especially made for the home handyman which, with their extensive selection of accessories, are designed to the same high standards as the industrial equipment.
Sapphire range of electrical tools, designed and made by Wolf Tools Ltd; from about £14.70 (domestic) and £16.95 (industrial).
Design Journal, COID Awards 1972, London, March 1972, pp.29-34.
Judging by previous years, three people are likely to be killed and nearly 50 injured during 1972 by faulty earthing in portable electrical tools in industry; in the home, 10 people will probably be killed in similar accidents. The majority of fatalities result from a wrongly-connected or loose earth wire coming into contact with a live component; this causes the metal casing of a tool to become part of the circuit, live and therefore lethal.
These faults cannot occur in any of the Sapphire range, for they are not fitted with an earth wire. Instead, every Sapphire tool is double-insulated so that there is no possibility of any part of the casing becoming live.
Double insulation begins with the motor spindle, which has a non-conductive plastics shroud so that there is no possibilty of electrical contact between the gears and the motor. The second level of protection is provided by the casing, which is moulded in impact-resistant grp and is therefore totally non-conductive. The range includes two drills especially made for the home handyman which, with their extensive selection of accessories, are designed to the same high standards as the industrial equipment.
Sapphire range of electrical tools, designed and made by Wolf Tools Ltd; from about £14.70 (domestic) and £16.95 (industrial).
Design Journal, COID Awards 1972, London, March 1972, pp.29-34.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Sapphire range of electrical tools (manufacturer's title) |
| Materials and techniques | Glass reinforced plastic casings and plastic shrouds. |
| Brief description | Electric screwdriver, part of the 'Sapphire' range of electrical tools, designed and manufactured by Wolf Electric Tools Ltd. England, 1972-1973. Winner of the Design Council Consumer Award 1972. |
| Physical description | Electric screwdriver, glass reinforced plastic casings and plastic shrouds. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Production type | Mass produced |
| Credit line | Gift of the manufacturer |
| Object history | Historical significance: Winner of the Design Centre Award in 1972. |
| Summary | From the Design Journal editorial, COID Awards 1972, March, 1972. pp.29-34. Judging by previous years, three people are likely to be killed and nearly 50 injured during 1972 by faulty earthing in portable electrical tools in industry; in the home, 10 people will probably be killed in similar accidents. The majority of fatalities result from a wrongly-connected or loose earth wire coming into contact with a live component; this causes the metal casing of a tool to become part of the circuit, live and therefore lethal. These faults cannot occur in any of the Sapphire range, for they are not fitted with an earth wire. Instead, every Sapphire tool is double-insulated so that there is no possibility of any part of the casing becoming live. Double insulation begins with the motor spindle, which has a non-conductive plastics shroud so that there is no possibilty of electrical contact between the gears and the motor. The second level of protection is provided by the casing, which is moulded in impact-resistant grp and is therefore totally non-conductive. The range includes two drills especially made for the home handyman which, with their extensive selection of accessories, are designed to the same high standards as the industrial equipment. Sapphire range of electrical tools, designed and made by Wolf Tools Ltd; from about £14.70 (domestic) and £16.95 (industrial). Design Journal, COID Awards 1972, London, March 1972, pp.29-34. |
| Bibliographic reference | Design Journal, COID Awards 1972, London, March 1972, pp.29-34. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CIRC.457-1973 |
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| Record created | April 28, 2011 |
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