Electrical Tools Most Used by Electricians
Electrical work can’t be done without the right electrical tools. As basic tools have been improved over the years and new specialized tools are developed, the list of tool choices for electricians becomes even longer. Even so, there is a short list of “must have” tools that every electrician needs, cannot do without-regardless of the type of electrical work he or she does. There’s no question that today’s electrical contractor must be more versatile than ever, and to tackle a variety of jobs with efficiency and ease, electricians need an arsenal of hand and power tools.
However, to avoid being loaded down with too many electrical tools, choices must be made wisely. The most common tools include the following; pliers, screwdrivers and nut drivers, wire strippers, fishing tools, measuring devices, labeling machines, power drills and driver, hammer, and power saws. Every electrician needs basic hand tools to perform everyday tasks. Manufacturers have made tools more ‘ergonomically correct,’ and improved designs help cut down on hand and wrist injuries often caused by repetitive movement.
Two of the most common electrical tools an electrician can’t work without are side-cutting pliers and long-nose or needle-nose pliers. Electricians need several screwdrivers and nut drivers to work with various types of fasteners and applications. Wire strippers have been an industry standard for almost 50 years; ergonomic designs are one reason for their popularity. Curved handles are designed to fit an electrician’s natural grip and reduce repetitive motion fatigue. Fish tapes and poles handles on impact-resistant cases are large and comfortable, so a secure grip can be maintained, even when wearing work gloves. Tape materials are suited to any type of job. Laser measuring tools are becoming more popular, but no electrician’s tool belt is without a basic tape for simple measurements. Those with rare earth magnetic tips that stick to iron and steel surfaces permit fast, one-person measurements. Properly labeling work at installation saves time when making moves, adds and changes, and handheld labeling tools speed this important step. The capability of printing bar codes, graphics memory to sort and recall lists, and compatibility with PCs increases the versatility of today’s labeling tools. A wide range of labeling materials includes wire and cable markers; panel, rack and frame ID; facilities labels; and specialty labels. Power tools, whether corded or cordless, today’s power tools pack more power in smaller, lightweight models.
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