Essential equipment for electricians: a guide to key tools of the trade
In the US, there are over a million tradespeople qualified as electricians, on hand to sort all matter or electrical problems. Whether you’ve been in the trade for decades or you’re just starting out, you might be wondering what tools you need in your toolbox.
Tool bag space is always at a premium. So, it’s important to make sure you’re not hoarding items that aren’t serving their purpose. To help you figure out what to keep and what to discard, we’ve rounded up the essential toolbox components you need below.
Why is having the right equipment so important?
Firstly, let’s delve into why having the right kit is paramount.
As an electrician, you’ll normally be going from job to job with little respite. So, you might be wondering why you should spend the time looking into your toolbox. But the fact of the matter is that having the right tools saves you time in the long run as you won’t be having to make do with sub-par kit that slows you down.
Not to mention safety – working with electricity is dangerous. Without the right tools on hand, you could easily become one of the 2.6 million unlucky workers injured each year.
Key tools to keep in your toolbox
1. Battery clips
Battery clips are a versatile tool used by electricians to establish secure connections and facilitate power transfer.
Useful for all manner of electrical projects, battery clips are used to measure voltage, current, and resistance. By identifying these key areas, you can effectively troubleshoot electrical systems to find various faults and ensure maximum safety.
2. Wire strippers and cutters
Every electrician knows how important cable preparation is. Wire strippers and cutters are a non-negotiable for handling and preparing electrical cables.
By using specially designed wire strippers and cutters to remove insulation and cut wires to the desired length, good-quality tools of this nature will help ensure a professional finish by guaranteeing neat connections during installations and repair jobs.
3. Insulation resistance testers
Insulation resistance testers are used for (you guessed it!) testing how well insulated wires are. As an electrician, safety is paramount, so you need one of these in your toolkit to ensure you can effectively and safely identify potential electrical faults and prevent electrical hazards.
4. Insulated screwdrivers
No electrician’s toolkit would be complete without a trusty set of insulated screwdrivers. Used for tightening and loosening screws attached to electrical boxes and outlets, these must be properly insulated to prevent injuries.
If you haven’t already got all the above in your toolkit, you could be putting yourself at risk. So let this be your sign to make overhauling your toolbox a priority.
