Electrical Tools

Electricians are still no good if the only thing they have is knowledge of electrical concepts. What will complete the electrician’s competence are the electrical tools which will be used to accomplish his job. Electrical tools may be purchased from hardware stores or retail outlets of electrical supplies manufacturers.

Some of the electrical tools which an electrician should have in his kit are the following:
* A fish tape is used by an electrician in pulling solid or strands of wire running through conduits made of PVC or metal. Along with the fish tape is the cable lube which can assist the electrician in pulling the wires.

* The voltmeter, ammeter or power meter are used by the electrician to test if the components or part of the circuit are operational. A working component or circuit is one where voltage is running or present.

* A no contact voltage detector may also be used to verify the flow of current or voltage especially from an electrical outlet. There are voltage detectors which are automatic while there are also some that come with switches. The voltage detector need only to be placed at the end of the tracer located beside a wire, cord or breaker to detect if the system is indeed energized.

* A tape measure serves it purpose to an electrician by assisting the craftsman in measuring the height of the spot where switches, electrical outlets or electrical fixtures will be placed. Boxes of lighting fixtures are also centered using the tape measure.

* The channel lock pliers help the electrician to take out the knockouts from boxes. The tool is also used in tightening connectors in the box and adjusting boxes of ceiling fan.

* A hammer is not just a carpenter’s tool but an electrician’s tool as well. It is especially useful in securing electrical boxes with nail brackets and in driving Romex straps.

* Wire strippers are for removing the insulating part of the wire. Various sizes of wires may be cut using the different sizes of the stripper’s cutting teeth. The wire stripper also feature cut off portions for cutting the wire.

* Side cutters are also called side snips, which as the name suggests is used in cutting wire. The design of the side cutters involve a cutting edge along the pliers’ tip. The advantage provided by this tool is that you can get even in tight areas where wires need to be trimmed. Some cutters are equipped with features that can deal with live wires.

* Linesman pliers are all-purpose pliers as they can do virtually anything from cutting to gripping, pulling to twisting. The squared off end is used in twisting the wires together, the center blade is for cutting and the grip area in between the handles are used to pull the wire.

* The torpedo level is for ensuring that the electrical installation is even and upright.

* The flashlight proves to be handy not just in power outbreaks but for an electrician to see areas where there is limited lighting.

By: W Tsang

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