led 62 in a continuously on condition if the actual torque value is less than 106 of the set point torque value yet greater than 101 of the set point torque value microcontroller 63 causes green led 62 and red led 64 to remain in a continuously on condition and causes annunciator 56 to buzz continuously if the actual torque value is determined to be less than 101 of the set point torque value yet greater than 100 of the set point torque value microcontroller 63 causes green led 62 and red led 64 to remain in a continuously on condition while annunciator 56 remains silent for actual torque values that are less than the set point torque value yet greater than five inch lbs of torque microcontroller 63 causes green led 62 to remain in a continuously on condition for actual torque values that are less than five inch lbs microcontroller 63 initiates a timing sequence in which the electronic torque wrench will go through a power off sequence if it is determined that the actual torque value being applied is less than five inch lbs for three minutes by keeping track of the activity of the torque wrench the algorithm prevents inadvertently draining the batteries while one or more preferred embodiments of the invention are described.