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Electrical work cannot be done without Hand tools appropriate tools. Since basic hand tools have been refined over the years and specialized hand tools have been developed, every electrician needs basic hand tools to work efficiently. Nowadays, hand tools offer far more convenience and safety than in the past.
When doing electrical work, it is essential to use the proper hand tools and safety equipment. Whether you are repairing wiring or rewiring a room, you can find cheap electrical hand tools, but you will find yourself struggling with the tools rather than getting work done. Simply put, problems and accidents could occur. So instead of buying the cheapest electrical hand tools, try to buy the best tools you can afford. The difference is well worth the upfront cost.
There is a wide variety of electrician tools to choose from, especially if you are starting out for the first time. In this article, we will tell you which hand tools are suitable for electrical work.
Types of Electrician Tools
Pliers / Clamp (Pliers)
The most important electrician tool you must have is pliers. Pliers can manipulate, cut, and hold wires depending on the type of work you do. Long-nose pliers or combination pliers are extremely useful for holding and bending wires when making screw terminal connections, while diagonal cutting pliers (side cutters) are the go-to tool for cutting wires with their specialized cutting jaws.
Wire Strippers
Wire strippers remove the insulation from electrical wires, exposing the copper underneath so you can connect the wires to other electrical devices. Many wire strippers also feature a cutting edge or cutter jaws to trim exposed wire ends. Wire strippers have multiple gauge holes to strip wires of different thicknesses. Like common hand tools, they come with insulated grip areas for added safety.
Screwdrivers (Screwdrivers)
Screwdrivers are an essential basic tool for electrical work. There are very few jobs where you won't use a screwdriver at least once. They are ideal for removing cover plates, taking off or installing switches, and many other tasks. Screwdrivers for electrical work typically have insulated handles for better safety. Electricians usually carry several screwdrivers since different screws have different drive types. Importantly, there is another type of screwdriver: the test pen (voltage tester screwdriver), which is considered an essential tool for checking electrical appliances for current leaks.
These essential tools allow you to check and measure electrical voltage. Multimeter/Voltmeter – An electrical measuring tool that can measure multiple electrical quantities. It can be set as a voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter and select direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC). Voltage Tester – A meter designed to measure electrical potential difference (voltage) between two points in a circuit; in reality, a voltmeter is essentially derived from a sensitive ammeter mechanism.
Water level (Spirit level)
When you are laying conduit or installing electrical boxes, you will need a spirit level that is easy to hold and use to ensure everything is straight. Many electricians prefer levels with magnetic sides to make them even more practical to use.
Hammers (Hammer)
Although a hammer is an essential tool for electricians, there is no need to choose the most expensive brand or model. You just need quality high enough to perform the work properly. A hammer suitable for electrical work has a square face, a forged steel head, one flat face, and a pointed/chisel end on the other side. It can be used for hammering in tight spaces and is also used for wiring work.
Tape Measures (Tape Measure)
Hand tools used for measuring workpieces or measuring distances conveniently, accurately, and reliably are vital for electrical work and all types of jobs. Choose one with a magnetic tip or a belt clip on the back for your convenience. Nowadays, laser measuring tools have grown in popularity because they are fast, accurate, have memory to store multiple measurements, and can calculate measurements as well.
Electric drills (Electric drill)
No matter what electrical work you do, you will definitely need a power drill eventually. Cordless drills are useful, but the power required depends on the material being drilled. For fastening jobs, a lower-voltage cordless model may be used. For drilling into concrete, a hammer drill provides more impact force and can drill holes faster.
Electric Saw
One thing you can say about saws is that electricians need variety. Just like power drills, the type of power saw an electrician needs varies depending on the job at hand. Due to their versatility and reliability, reciprocating saws are one of the most popular power saw tools. But don't forget to install the right type of blade for your application as well.
Tool Belt
This comes down to personal preference. Whether you want a belt with multiple fixed pouches or the ability to customize and add individual pouches as needed over time is up to you. In addition, some electricians prefer high-quality leather belts, but they are expensive. As long as your belt is comfortable and holds everything you need without dropping tools, it will do the job well and keep you going.
You can choose Hand tools to further suit your work.