General Safety Information; Work Area Safety; Electrical Safety; Personal Safety - RIDGID HC-450 Operator's Manual

HC-450/HC-300 Hole Cutting Tools

General Safety Information

WARNING! Read and understand all instructions. Failure
to follow all instructions listed below may
result in electric shock, fire, and/or serious
personal injury.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

Work Area Safety

• Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered
benches and dark areas invite accidents.
• Do not operate power tools in explosive atmos-
pheres, such as in the presence of flammable liq-
uids, gases, or dust. Power tools create sparks
which may ignite the dust or fumes.
• Keep bystanders, children, and visitors away while
operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to
lose control.

Electrical Safety

• Grounded tools must be plugged into an outlet,
properly installed and grounded in accordance
with all codes and ordinances. Never remove the
grounding prong or modify the plug in any way. Do
not use any adapter plugs. Check with a quali-
fied electrician if you are in doubt as to whether the
outlet is properly grounded. If the tools should elec-
trically malfunction or break down, grounding pro-
vides a low resistance path to carry electricity away
from the user.
Grounding prong
• Avoid body contact with grounded surfaces such
as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There
is an increased risk of electrical shock if your body is
grounded.
• Don't expose power tools to rain or wet condi-
tions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk
of electrical shock.
• Do not abuse cord. Never use the cord to carry the
tools or pull the plug from an outlet. Keep cord
away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts.
Replace damaged cords immediately. Damaged cords
increase the risk of electrical shock.
2
Cover of
grounded
outlet box
Grounding prong
Ridge Tool Company
• When operating a power tool outside, use an out-
door extension cord marked "W-A" or "W". These
cords are rated for outdoor use and reduce the risk of
electrical shock.
• Use only three-wire extension cords which have
three-prong grounding plugs and three-pole re-
ceptacles which accept the machines plug. Use of
other extension cords will not ground the tool and in-
crease the risk of electrical shock.
• Use proper extension cords. (See chart.) Insufficient
conductor size will cause excessive voltage drop, loss
of power and overheating.
Minimum Wire Gauge for Cord Set
Nameplate
Total Length (in feet)
Amps
0 – 25
0 – 6 18 AWG
6 – 10 18 AWG
10 – 12 16 AWG
12 – 16 14 AWG
• Before using, test the Ground Fault Circuit Inter-
rupter (GFCI) provided with the power cord to in-
sure it is operating correctly. GFCI reduces the
risk of electrical shock.
• Extension cords are not recommended unless
they are plugged into a Ground Fault Circuit Inter-
rupter (GFCI) found in circuit boxes or outlet re-
ceptacles. The GFCI on the machine power cord will
not prevent electrical shock from the extension cords.
• Keep all electric connections dry and off the
ground. Do not touch plug with wet hands. Re-
duces the risk of electric shock.

Personal Safety

• Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use
common sense when operating a power tool. Do
not use tool while tired or under the influence of
drugs, alcohol, or medications. A moment of inat-
tention while operating power tools may result in seri-
ous personal injury.
• Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or
jewelry. Contain long hair. Keep your hair, clothing,
and gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothes,
jewelry, or long hair can be caught in moving parts.
• Avoid accidental starting. Be sure switch is OFF
before plugging in. Carrying tools with your finger on
the switch or plugging in tools that have the switch ON
invites accidents.
26 – 50 51 – 100
16 AWG 16 AWG
16 AWG 14 AWG
16 AWG 14 AWG
12 AWG
NOT RECOMMENDED