What is the difference between peak torque and sustained torque?
As mentioned above, the process for which torque is measured is a standard in the industry. The way the data is interpreted is not. When the drill chuck is mounted onto a fixed spindle, and the drills trigger is depressed, an initial burst of energy will occur. This initial burst of energy is referred to as peak torque. As the trigger continues to be depressed, that initial burst of energy decreases to a constant level. This level is known as the drills sustained torque. Some manufacturers will choose their torque rating based on peak torque (which occurs in less than half a second) versus the sustained torque which occurs over an extended period of time.
