An electrician’s tools are like what you need

Episode 42. APPRENTICE TOOLS. 13 Tools Apprentice Electricians Need To Have

Tool for the electrician. Instruments and auxiliary tools

Tool for an electrician, which may be needed in the manufacture of repair or installation of electrical wiring, it is impossible to determine exactly, but highlight the tool that is usually used in such work.

  • Measuring tools for checking (indicator lamp, multimeter).
  • Knife.
  • Pliers.
  • Diagonal cutters.
  • An adjustable wrench or socket wrench.
  • Screwdrivers.
  • Flashlight.

Electricians-professionals can have other tools for themselves, which gives them an opportunity to speed up and make the work easier. Let’s take a closer look at various tools for the electrician.

Screwdrivers of various types and sizes

The most common tools used in work are screwdrivers of various types. They are needed for tightening contact terminals, tightening screws and bolts, and for removing old equipment. It is best to get long insulated screwdrivers that have a flat blade and Phillips head, in two or three different sizes (depending on the kind of work you do).

electrician, tools, need

It is also not superfluous to buy a universal set with different attachments. However, it is needed mainly for specific jobs and will be practically useless for beginners to electricians.

What kind of tools are needed for electrical wiring work

To perform electrical installation work: disassembly and installation of electrical wiring, installation and connection of various equipment, repair of electrical wiring, preparing the chinks, holes and recesses for laying electrical wiring, etc.д., You need the most diverse tools. Beginning with a simple screwdriver, measuring tools, and ending with a hole punch or a rotary cutter.

The choice of tools for electrical installation work largely depends on the place of use (e.g. household work, field work, work in the enterprise), as well as on the professional skills of the electrician, electrician. You should keep in mind that the quality and functionality of the tool will directly depend on the speed and quality of work performed.

Let’s review the most common tools, devices and materials that are required for electrical installation work.

Screwdrivers or screwdriver sets

Without this tool you can not do without it when installing outlets and switches, screw terminals and electrical devices in the switchboard. For work need a screwdriver of various sizes and types. Phillips, flat, hexagonal. Screwdrivers with specialized tips needed for some installations and maintenance.

Such a tool as an impact screwdriver will not be superfluous at electrical installation work. This is a special screwdriver designed for unscrewing stuck screws, screws, self-tapping screws that cannot be unscrewed with a regular screwdriver.

Indicators, voltage detectors, electrical safety equipment

When performing electrical work is the most important issue is electrical safety, so the list of tools should be each electrician indicator screwdriver and voltage indicator. Indicator screwdriver will help you determine the presence or absence of phase, but the lack of voltage in the wiring must be determined by the voltage indicator.

There are universal voltage indicators that indicate the amount of measured voltage, which can be used as a tester to check the continuity of circuits, as well as a phase indicator. As an alternative to a voltage indicator in electrical installations up to 1000 V, a multimeter can be used.

Also an indispensable helper to the electrician is the indicator of hidden wiring, which greatly speeds up the process of elimination of damage to electrical wiring.

Considering the issue of electrical safety, it should be mentioned that an electrician must have the necessary means of protection, a list of which corresponds to the nature and conditions of the work performed. To protect against electric shock, they use tools with insulating handles, insulating rods, insulating pliers, dielectric gloves, dielectric stands or a rubber mat, dielectric shoes.

Multimeter and other measuring instruments

Multimeter is a multifunctional device designed to measure basic electrical quantities. An indispensable tool for the electrician, it allows you to measure a wide range of voltages, both DC and AC, resistance, amperage.

The presence of a continuity test mode allows you to determine the integrity of fuses and electrical wiring, and allows you to quickly understand the complex circuits of distribution boards.

For ease of measurement of the load uses special clamp meter, allowing you to measure the load without the need to include the device in the gap circuit. Combined meters that combine the functions of a clamp meter and a multimeter are convenient for electricians.

To accurately determine the state of insulation, transient resistance measurements should be carried out megohmmeter another measuring tool in the list of wiring technician. This measuring instrument is used for installation and maintenance of power equipment, large distribution boards, switchgear.

Such measuring instrument as caliper is used for exact measurement of cable cross-section, for exact measurements during installation of various elements.

Pliers, side cutters, specialized tools

Pliers indispensable tool for electrical installation work. They are used for cable terminations, twisting wires, bending wires, twisting bolt connections, etc. work. Cable cutters are designed for cutting cable and wire strands when wiring electrical circuits.

There is a combination hand tool pliers that replaces the above two tools.

When performing electrical work, special shaped pliers can also be used, the so-called long-nose pliers, fine pliers, pliers, round pliers.

For frequent and regular work, use a special stripper tool for easy stripping. No need for this tool for occasional, one-time jobs: you can cut insulation with diagonal cutters or a knife.

If crimping is chosen as a method of connecting wires, then you must have a tool like a crimping pliers (crimping pliers).

A set of wrenches is needed for assembling and connecting power equipment, assembling and wiring large switchboards.

DEKO hand tool kit. 168 pcs

Set of hand tools for repairs and plastic storage box. The retailer has eight different variations with different numbers of tools available.

To prepare concealed wiring chases, you use a punching cutter. This power tool is bought for big volumes of work.

For occasional work, you can use an angle grinder or a regular hammer with a pair of chisels. Angle grinder (angle grinder) is also often used in installation work for cutting metal elements, grinding them.

An electric drill or an electric screwdriver is used for installing the various fastening elements, drilling holes for fasteners or for installing the various elements of electrical wiring.

To perform installation on the brick or concrete walls is necessary to drill holes for this requires a peorator or impact drill. The torch can also be used as an alternative to a stitch cutter for installing concealed wiring.

If it is necessary to solder connections, a soldering iron is used, as well as solder and flux for soldering. A gas torch or gas soldering iron can be used as an alternative to an electric soldering iron.

Another method of connecting wires welding, which is carried out with a special machine for welding stranding. When performing electrical work it may be necessary to weld metal elements of electrical equipment for this purpose use portable inverter type welding machines.

When electric tools are required, the electrician must always be equipped with personal protective equipment respirator, hard hat, goggles, masks etc.д.

In addition to the above, the electrician’s bag should always contain insulation tape, tape measure, pencil (marker), heat shrink tubing, files, sandpaper, knife, drill set to work on different surfaces, dowels for quick installation, hacksaw for metal, etc.

When performing electrical work, you may use a lot of other equipment, tools, materials. In this case, it depends on the specific expertise of the electrician and the nature of work performed.

The contents of an electrician’s drawer for every day. What to add? Write in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев!

What kind of tool should an electrician have, other than pliers and a set of screwdrivers

Usually an electrician going on a call to a client takes a suitcase or a purse full of various iron, screws and screws, as well as in his bag is an electrician’s tool. Those gizmos with which the electrician performs certain tasks. What an electrician’s tool should be like?

The rule of insulated tools. The electrician’s most basic association with pliers. Pliers should have insulated handles. The insulation material for the handles can be either plastic or rubber. The main thing is that the insulation of the handles should be able to withstand 1000 volts. In practice it is convenient to have a pair of pliers with you. Some are medium-sized or small, others are large.

As well as pliers you will invariably need screwdrivers. The screwdriver handles should also be insulated and capable of withstanding 1000 volts. Scratches, cracks and chips on the handles of screwdrivers (combination pliers and all what you will touch the current-conducting parts) are prohibited. It is better to replace such tool. To detect cracks that are not visible to the human eye, the tool should be subjected to a laboratory inspection every 6 months or a complete renewal of the tool once a year.

Screwdrivers should be several. by size : small, medium, large, by shape : spatula, cross. It is also not superfluous to have with you watch screwdrivers. Put the screwdriver shaft in a hot sleeve leaving only 10mm of the screwdriver tip open.

For checking the presence of voltage on the rules prohibited to use a test lamp (ordinary lamp in a socket), but to check for bad contact and at the same time and the voltage helps it. Take care of the housing that protects the bulb. Also a voltage indicator comes in handy. this is a screwdriver, inside of which is a neon bulb and a resistance. Indicator often shows what is not there and therefore it is not superfluous to put and voltage indicator.

voltage meter. indicator that has two knobs connected by a wire. Uses a voltage indicator instead of a test lamp. more precisely together)))). To find out the voltage value put a multimeter in your purse. Multimeter combines several instruments, there is a voltmeter, which will indicate the amount of voltage, and an ammeter, which will indicate the current (up to 2. x amperes), and there is also an ohmmeter, and in some, a megohmmeter with an alternating high voltage. Instead of a multimeter, you can use a clamp meter with a built in multimeter. These clamps can measure currents up to 400 amps without breaking wires.

Packing an electrician‘s suitcase is a lot like backpacking on a camping trip. You need to think of all the little things and take as many tools as possible, so you don’t get into trouble on a customer’s call. However, here, as well as in a hiking trip is important not to overdo it, otherwise you can not carry the suitcase. So, what else does an electrician have in his bag, except pliers and a set of screwdrivers?

You can put a lot more, but I think with this set you will not be lost and the work will be done))).

different tools are used for stripping wires: an electrician’s knife or a special stripper. As a rule, knives are used by professionals. It is not recommended for beginners to use knives (and especially various cutters), because lack of experience can easily damage the core of the cable (or several strands of multicore cable), and it will reduce the reliability of the entire electrical installation installed. If funds do not allow you to buy a special tool for stripping insulation, you can use an electrician’s knife with a non-sharp blade.

Next to it in the photo shows a special tool for stripping the insulation, the range of which is now presented by a huge number of models in different price ranges. With such a selection, even a novice electrician will be able to choose an available and suitable tool.

The electrician‘s kit. what tools are included there

The electrician’s kit is a set of equipment and tools (manual, electrical) necessary for electrical installation work. This set is used by both professional electricians and ordinary home craftsmen involved in independent laying of electrical wiring, troubleshooting, repair of household appliances. Availability and a wide range of tools in modern stores allows you not only to buy such a set in a ready-made form, but also if you want to collect “for yourself”, choosing its components, taking into account their characteristics and financial capabilities.

Measuring instruments

During electrical work it is often necessary to measure voltage and current, to find a phase wire, to make a circuit breaker. Having more complete information about the voltage indicator, its absence or presence, greatly simplifies the work of the electrician and makes it comfortable and safe.

Pilot screwdriver

This tool is also called a phase indicator. Externally, this is an ordinary screwdriver that can be used in accordance with its direct purpose, but the main task of this tool is quite different. Handle is made of transparent plastic specially because a special lamp is built in. At the end of the handle is a shunt pin that can be used to determine if there is a phase. Hold the indicator stylus against the shunt contact, and finger-clamp the contact on the end. Lamp lights up when phase is present.

There are quite a few varieties of pilot screwdrivers. This is a multi-purpose tool. In addition to the presence of the phase, it also determines the location of the live wire, which is hidden in the wall, or the exact numerical value of the voltage and current.

Test Light

If you don’t have a phase voltage tester handy, you can make your own. You need to have a lamp 40-100W, a lamp socket E 27 and two wires. Appearance is a lamp, screwed into a socket with two wires connected, which when these two wires are in contact with the phase and neutral wires will light up. If there is no voltage, there will be no current.

Multimeter

The most reliable device for measuring voltage in electrical circuits is considered a multimeter. Nowadays digital meters are used, which can measure the current and voltage, as well as the resistance of the circuit and its continuity test with a sound signal. For beginners electricians is better to buy an inexpensive copy, but when you have enough experience and practice, you can buy a good model. Professional electricians use more functional models with a wider range of possibilities. But other than digital, analog multimeters are used as well.

Electric clamp meters

Allows you to measure the electrical value of voltage or amperage without interrupting the current circuit or disturbing operation. Correspondingly there are clamp meters, ampere-voltmeters, wattmeters and phase meters to the measured quantities. The most common are clamp meters, which are used in electrical installations up to 10 kV.

Megohmmeter

Instrument for measuring very high electrical resistances of insulating materials of wires, cables, connectors, transformers, windings of electrical machines and other devices, as well as for measuring surface and volume resistances of insulating materials. Resistance measurements are made at high voltages.

Handheld electrical tools

All hand tools are convenient to keep in a case, i.e. a special plastic case with holders. You could use a small suitcase or a bag with lots of compartments, but they are not as convenient.

There are ready-made kits electrician, but good quality tools are expensive, to lay out a large sum at once is not always possible. Therefore, many people prefer to assemble it gradually, buying it separately as needed, picking up “for yourself” the manufacturer and its capabilities.

A few examples of how an electrician‘s tool can be stored.

The general requirements to wiring tools are quite extensive. I will not list them all, but here are some of them for our tool:

  • The handle of the hammer should be knot-free, smooth and secure. There should be a thickening to the free end.
  • The power tool must have a good condition, the cord and plug must be undamaged. The switch should work clearly, and the device should not make noise, knock or vibration during operation. Insertion tools. drills, wrenches, screwdrivers, must be free of cracks, potholes, burrs.
  • Hand tools must be rated to handle voltages up to 1000 V. Be free of damage, cracks, blisters and defects. The screwdriver pins must be insulated. Insulation must terminate no more than 10 mm from the end of the stinger. Pliers, side cutters, etc.п., insulating handles should have anti-slip backstops with a height of at least 10 mm on the right and left sides and 5 mm on the top and bottom.

There are requirements for all hand tools and measuring tools. So what to have in the kit.

Screwdrivers

Screwdrivers are one of the electrician’s basic tools. Every technician has several kinds of screwdrivers, but all of them are specialized electrical screwdrivers.

Their peculiarity lies in their improved protection. Usually such screwdrivers have a screwdriver tip covered with a conductive material on top, and only the tip is bare.

Cross-head and flat-blade screwdriver is a must. It is best to have several screwdrivers with different sizes.

Electricians also use indicator screwdrivers that, in addition to being able to tighten and loosen screws, also allow them to check for voltage in the wiring before starting work.

A simple indicator screwdriver is equipped with a diode light. When you touch a wire with the tip of the screwdriver, if there is voltage in it, the light bulb will turn on.

complicated are indicator screwdrivers with a display. In addition to determining whether voltage is present in the wires, this screwdriver also displays the voltage volts.

Also read here about cordless screwdrivers that can also be used for electrical work.

Gloves

When it is necessary to perform some works under voltage, it is not enough to have electric tools with dielectric handles and it is necessary to wear dielectric gloves. They must be included in the kit.

They can have different voltage tolerances, but we need up to 1000 volts. Check their suitability before beginning work. They should not have cracks, cuts and punctures. Blow air into the glove and squeeze the socket to check, no leakage.

Pliers

Use diagonal cutters (or wire cutters) to cut through wires cleanly. They cut without squeezing the wire ends, because of the special shape of the sharpened cutter part. Experienced electricians often get by with pliers, not using pliers at all. The photo below shows side cutters, a tool used in electrical work and home appliance repair.

Horn Keys

If you’re going to do electrical work only in the apartment, the keys may not be necessary. But if there is a garage or cottage, then without them just no way.

A set of impact wrenches should also be in an electrician’s kit. You may need a variety of sizes, but mostly they are small and medium-sized. You will need from 6 mm to 17-19 mm. Since this tool usually works when the voltage is off, it does not go insulated.

Wire stripping tools

To clean the wires from the insulation use different tools: wiring knives or special tools for stripping the insulation. Knives are usually used by professionals. It is not recommended for beginners to use knives (and especially different cutters), because lack of experience can easily damage a cable core (or several strands of multicore cable), and this will reduce the reliability of the entire electrical installation being installed.

If you can not afford to buy a special tool for stripping you can use an electrician‘s knife with a blunt blade.

Next in the photo is a special tool for stripping the insulation, the range of which is now presented by a huge number of models in different price categories. With this choice, even a novice electrician can choose an affordable and suitable tool.

Pliers, needle-nose pliers, wire cutters

All tools should have insulated handles, and the insulation must be able to withstand up to 1000 V, which should be written on the handles. Sometimes you have to work with these tools without removing the voltage, so the requirements for insulation are high. Even if you are not a professional electrician. Electrocution has the same consequences for everyone. That’s why it’s better not to save money and buy tools with high-quality insulation.

What tools are needed? Quite a long list, but you can do without some:

    Pliers. Needed when working with solid wires. They hold a thick wire well and cut the wire.

Pliers for working with powerful wires

Pliers and side cutters are more useful.

Circular pliers are not widely used

These are general purpose hand tools for the electrician, but there are also special ones.

Wrenches

Wrenches are not only basic tools for plumbers, but also for electricians. An electrician in the installation phase often uses these tools. The electrician also has to turn the nuts.

  • wrenches;
  • turnbuckles;
  • torque wrenches;
  • intrinsically safe;
  • Wrenches for angle grinder;
  • spline wrenches;
  • Wrenches for electrical cabinets;
  • slotted;
  • universal keys;
  • combination wrenches;
  • wrenches;
  • adjustable.

It is possible to choose for a long time among the enormous variety, and there is not much sense. An electrician, just like a plumber, can use a regular and versatile adjustable version instead of a huge set of wrenches. Externally, it is an ordinary tool, but it has a sliding socket, thanks to which you can adjust to any size of nut. adjustable wrench handles can have a special dielectric coating. This kind of wrench is suitable for working with live electrical devices.

Insulating materials

It is mandatory to have insulating materials. Electricians use two types of this material. electrical tape and heat shrink. Both of these types allow you to insulate the joints to exclude the possibility of touching a person to bare wires that are under voltage.

Tape can be woven (cotton, lavsan), impregnated with a special insulating glue or polyethylene, with an adhesive surface.

Heat shrinks are tubes of insulating material of different diameters, which shrink and adhere to the surface of the connection due to the impact of high temperature.

Porter’s knife

Remove insulation from a cable or wire. this will require an electrician’s knife, also called an electrician‘s knife. It comes with a removable blade that is also retractable. This is an improved and more reliable variation of a wallpaper or paper knife.

The second version is with a hinged blade. It works on the principle of a penknife, but again it has special features, the blade is wider and thicker, on the end there can be a hook, which is convenient to cut the insulation of cables. In idea, a wire cutter should also have a handle that can withstand at least 1000 V. But they usually work with the voltage off, so in this case the requirement can be neglected.

Nylon ties

Nylon cable ties of various sizes are commonly used to connect multiple wires into bundles. They make it easy to secure wires and make the installation clearer and more aesthetically pleasing.

Take into account the cross section of wires, the number of wires, and then you can choose the appropriate size of ties. A wide wire tie is not suitable for small amounts of wires.

Stripper. a tool for stripping

When installing electrical wiring, connecting household appliances, it is necessary to remove the insulation. With a certain skill you can do with side cutters or wire cutters, but until you learn how to do it, you will spend a lot of wire. In addition, even with solid experience with thin or stranded conductors is difficult to work with diagonal cutters. often the strands are damaged. That’s why it’s good to have a stripper or wire stripper in an electrician’s suitcase as well.

Not a basic electrician’s tool, but a desirable one. They come in a variety of configurations that have slightly different working mechanisms, but they quickly strip away the insulation and leave wires intact.

Wire splicing devices

Screw terminals. the most common way to connect wires. recently, sleeves have appeared that can also be used for the same purpose. Using wire end sleeves requires a crimping tool.

Protecting the ends of wires

To protect wire ends from damage, experienced electricians can use tinning with an alloy of tin and lead (usually for stranded wire). This makes the wire strands become one piece and do not break off separately. Soldering irons of different capacities are used for tinning wires.

But it is very difficult to anneal wires with a soldering iron, you must use a soldering bath. It belongs to the special purpose tools, and despite its affordability, it is simply not sold in many stores. For this reason soldering iron is only used by professionals or large companies.

Soldering iron

Such a device is very necessary for working with electricity, but it is difficult to handle too thick wires. Soldering bath is used for such purposes, it is extremely rare to buy, because it belongs to the category of professional equipment.

That’s why they are only used by large organizations and professionals with extensive experience. In the photo, you can see how this tool looks like for the electrician.

Chisel and hammer

What else you can’t do without when wiring is a chisel and a hammer. After all, the wiring is mostly laid covertly, and to do this, it is necessary to make strokes. If the amount of work is small, you can cope with a hand tool. a chisel and hammer, but it is better to have at least a torch at hand.

A set of drill bits

It is very useful to buy a set of bits of different diameters to cut holes in the walls. These holes will later be used to insert sockets, switches, and junction boxes.

What an electrician uses

An electrician, like no other, should be provided with quality power tools. After all, no amount of knowledge does not allow you to perform electrical work with your bare hands. Therefore, you need to know exactly what the electrician uses, and what tools should be present on a mandatory basis. There is a huge range of electrician’s tools on the market. Nevertheless, there are tools, without which it is absolutely impossible to do, and which should be included in the basic set. Tools differ depending on the job you are doing. For example, some kinds of tools are used for installation of wiring, but when repairing it, completely different tools are used.