General Safety Rules; Work Area; Electrical Safety; Personal Safety - RIDGID 700 Operator's Manual

No. 700 Portable Power Drive

General Safety Rules

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

• Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered
benches and dark areas invite accidents.
• Do not operate power tools in explosive atmo-
spheres, such as in the presence of flam mable
liquids, gases, or dust. Power tools create sparks
which may ignite the dust or fumes.
• Keep by-standers, children, and visitors away
while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause
you to lose control.
• Keep floors dry and free of slippery materials
such as oil. Slippery floors invite accidents.

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 qualified
electrician if you are in doubt as to whether the out-
let is properly grounded. If the tool should electrical-
ly malfunction or break down, grounding provides 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.
• Do not expose electrical power tools to rain or
wet conditions. 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
• 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 recep-
tacles which accept the tool's plug. Use of other
extension cords will not ground the tool and increase
the risk of electrical shock.
• Use proper extension cords. (See Chart) Insufficient
conductor size will cause excessive voltage drop and
loss of power.
Minimum Wire Gauge for Extension Cord
Nameplate
Total Length (in feet)
Amps
0 – 25
0 – 6 18 AWG
6 – 10 18 AWG
10 – 12 16 AWG
12 – 16 14 AWG
• Keep all electric connections dry and off the
ground. Do not touch plugs or tool with wet hands.
Reduces the risk of electrical 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 medication. 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.
• Remove adjusting keys or wrenches before turning
the tool ON. A wrench or a key that is left attached to
a rotating part of the tool may result in personal injury.
• Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and bal-
ance at all times. Proper footing and balance enables
better control of the tool in unexpected situations.
• Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protection.
Dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat or hearing
protection must be used for appropriate conditions.
26 – 50 51 – 100
16 AWG 16 AWG
16 AWG 14 AWG
16 AWG 14 AWG
12 AWG
NOT RECOMMENDED