pˈaʊdɚɹˈæktʃuːˌeɪɾᵻd tˈuːlz ɑːɹ pˈaʊɚd baɪ smˈɔːl ɛksplˈoʊsɪv kˈɑːɹtɹɪdʒᵻz, wˌɪtʃ ɑːɹ tɹˈɪɡɚd wɛn ɐ fˈaɪɚɹɪŋ pˈɪn stɹˈaɪks ɐ pɹˈaɪmɚ, ɐ sˈɛnsᵻtˌɪv ɛksplˈoʊsɪv tʃˈɑːɹdʒ ɪnðə bˈeɪs ʌvðə kˈɑːɹtɹɪdʒ.
Powder-actuated tools are powered by small explosive cartridges, which are triggered when a firing pin strikes a primer, a sensitive explosive charge in the base of the cartridge.