Abstract: A battery-powered portable tool, such as a chainsaw, hedge trimmer or handheld drill, comprising: a housing (1), a driven element (2) supported by the housing (1), an electric motor (6) coupled to the driven element (2) so as to drive the driven element (2), a battery (5) electrically coupled to the motor (6) so as to supply electric current to the motor (6) and a control circuit (8) arranged to control the supply of electric current to the motor (6) from the battery (5), in which the control circuit (8) comprises a main switch (8) operable by a user and an auxiliary switch (10, 11) also operable by a user; in which the control circuit (8) has: an active state in which operation of the main switch (8) by the user allows electric current to flow to the motor (6) so as to cause the driven element (2) to be driven; and an inactive state in which operation of the main switch (8) does not allow electric current to flow to the motor (6) and so the motor (6) does not drive the driven element (2); in which operation

Abstract: A battery-powered portable cutting tool such as a chainsaw or hedge trimmer, comprising: a housing (1), a cutting element (2) supported by the housing, an electric motor (6) coupled to the cutting element (2) so as to drive the cutting element (2) to cut, a battery (5) electrically coupled to the motor (6) so as to supply electric current to the motor (6) and a control circuit (9) arranged to control the supply of electric current to the motor (6) from the battery (5), in which the control circuit (9) comprises a main switch (8) operable by a user and an auxiliary switch (10, 11) also operable by a user; in which the control circuit (9) has: an active state in which operation of the main switch (8) by the user allows electric current to flow to the motor (6) so as to cause the cutting element (2) to be driven; and an inactive state in which operation of the main switch (8) does not allow electric current to flow to the motor (6) and so the motor (6) does not drive the cutting element (2); in which operation o

Abstract: A battery pack for powering a battery powered tool may include a housing, a plurality of cells and an electrical connection assembly. The housing may include a sidewall assembly. The sidewall assembly may be configured to correspond to respective sidewalls of a battery compartment defined at a portion of the battery powered tool to facilitate insertion of the battery pack into the battery compartment. The plurality of cells may be disposed within the housing and arranged adjacent to each other such that the sidewall assembly, which extends along a direction substantially parallel to a direction of insertion of the battery pack into the battery compartment, forms an enclosure around the plurality of cells on all sides substantially parallel to the direction of insertion. The plurality of cells may be electrically connected to each other to provide a combined output.