ASME B107.500-2020 PDF

Full title and description

ASME B107.500-2020 — "Pliers and Shears". This American National Standard specifies performance, safety, dimensional and testing requirements for a wide range of hand pliers, cutting pliers, wire strippers, locking pliers, long‑nose and long‑reach pliers, shears for sheet metal, wire‑twister pliers, retaining‑ring pliers and related multipurpose tools.

Abstract

Provides definitions, categorization by tool type, dimensional data (informative), and detailed apparatus, procedures and performance tests used to evaluate conformance of pliers and shears to specified functional and safety requirements. Intended for manufacturers, purchasers, test laboratories and regulatory bodies that reference voluntary or mandatory tool safety/performance criteria.

General information

• Status: Current / Active.
• Publication date: 15 June 2020.
• Publisher: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
• ICS / categories: 25.140.30 (Hand‑operated tools — pliers, nippers, shears); (cataloged under ICS 25.140 hand‑held tools).
• Edition / version: 2020 edition (ASME B107.500-2020).
• Number of pages: 122 pages.

Scope

Specifies performance and safety requirements and test methods for pliers and shears used for cutting wire, gripping, clamping, stripping and related functions. Covers tool categories including long‑nose and long‑reach pliers, cutters less than 6 in. with springs (electronics assembly types), adjustable and slip‑joint pliers, locking pliers, retaining‑ring pliers (used with retaining rings described in ASME B18.27), wire strippers, wire‑twister pliers, and hand shears for sheet metal. Dimensional data are included for guidance but do not imply stock production sizes. The standard also defines apparatus, procedures and acceptance criteria for functional testing.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and classification of pliers and shears by category and intended function.
• Performance requirements for gripping strength, cutting ability, and stripping accuracy where applicable.
• Test apparatus, test procedures and acceptance criteria for functional and endurance testing.
• Design and dimensional guidance (informative) to support interchangeability and specification of stock sizes.
• Requirements and notes for specialized tool types (retaining‑ring pliers, locking pliers, wire twisters, electronic assembly cutters).
• Marking, labeling and user information expectations for safe use and identification.

Typical use and users

Used by hand tool manufacturers (for design and quality control), test laboratories (for product verification), procurement/specification engineers, safety and regulatory authorities, and end users in industries such as electronics assembly, automotive service and repair, aerospace, maintenance shops, and general industrial manufacturing. It is referenced when defining product specifications, purchase requirements or compliance testing.

Related standards

Related documents include other ASME B107 series standards covering sockets, wrenches and other hand tools (e.g., B107.100, B107.110, B107.300, B107.17) as well as ASME B18.27 for retaining rings which is referenced for pliers designed to install/remove those rings. International and ISO standards on pliers/nomenclature (for electronics) and hand‑tool safety/terminology (such as ISO 8979, ISO 5742 and related EN/ISO hand tool standards) are also commonly cross‑referenced.

Keywords

pliers, shears, hand tools, cutting pliers, long‑nose pliers, wire strippers, locking pliers, retaining‑ring pliers, test methods, performance requirements, ASME B107 series, tool safety.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASME B107.500-2020 is the ASME standard titled "Pliers and Shears" that defines categories, performance and safety requirements, and test methods for a broad range of hand pliers and shears.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers functional types of pliers and shears (cutting, gripping, stripping, retaining‑ring installation/removal, locking and multipurpose tools), test apparatus and procedures, performance criteria and informative dimensional guidance; it does not imply all sizes listed are stock items.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers, test labs, procurement/specification engineers, safety/regulatory bodies and industrial end users who need standardized performance and test requirements for pliers and shears.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2020 edition (ASME B107.500-2020) is the current active edition, superseding earlier ASME B107.500 editions (including the 2010 compilation).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the ASME B107 series of hand‑tool standards (which includes standards for sockets, wrenches, torque tools and related hand tools). It also cross‑references other ASME and international standards where applicable.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: pliers, shears, hand tools, cutting, gripping, wire stripper, locking pliers, test methods, ASME B107.500.