30 Must Have Electrical Tools
On this page, we will list the basic tools you will need to have in order to complete any home electrical project with ease.
Let's Start Out With A Quick Peek at the Hand Tools A Professional Electrician Uses Daily.
On any given day, you will always find these tools on an electrician who specializes in new home construction or post-construction retro-fitting:
Klein (or equivalent brand) 9" Pliers |
The 9" pliers are the bread and butter for an electrician. These are the ultimate handy tool as they can do just about everything there is to do when it comes to an electrical project. There is a common joke in the world of electricians about the electricians of old who use to only bring a pair of nine's (9" pliers) to work (because that was all they needed). Of course it is just an insider's joke, but this little joke shows you how dependent the electrician is when it comes to this particular tool.
|
Philips #1 and #2 head screwdrivers |
As to be expected, the philips screwdriver is just as used as a good pair of 9" pliers. The #1 head Philips screwdriver is pointier (and usually a little skinnier) than the flatter #2 philips screwdriver. Both of these are crucial to any type of work you'll do on your home as well.
(Also...look into a good pair of philips tips for a drill. A good 14.4V or 18V drill will make all the difference in the world when it comes to the speed and utility of your project.) |
A Carpenters Tool belt with an Electricians Apron. |
Although these two items are not necessary tools per se, you might as well consider them tools when it comes to home electrical because of the amount of time and head ache it will save you. A good toolbelt should be able to hold all of the hand tools mentioned here and even a battery operated drill (with the correct attachment to hold a drill properly). An electrician's apron is the place where you will store all of your staples, wire nuts, grounding screws, etc. (small materials). A smart electrician knows the value of these items when it comes to home construction because they save so much time in comparison to time lost searching for tools or materials you have misplaced. Nothing is worse than climbing all the way up a 20' extension ladder to realize you forgot the wire nuts. With a fully stocked apron and tool belt, you'll never have to worry about this happening to you.
|
Wire strippers (preferably the type that is a 4-in-1 tool: wire stripper; crimper; pliers; and bolt cutter) |
Klein, to most electricians, is the brand of choice when it comes to tools. This tool manufacturer always has the top of the line products when it comes to getting down and dirty with a job. The 4-in1 tool of Klein is perhaps a shining example of why us electricians use Kleins so much. This tool not only strips 10 gauge wire all the way up to 22 gauge wire, but it also will cut a small bolt perfectly without the bolt's threads being damaged. If your assembling an outdoor light, and the screw the manufacturer supplied is too long, simply screw to the side of the 4-in-1 the lengthy screw, apply a little pressure, and voila!...your screw is now the desired length to finish the job. An excellent tool I feel every electrician should have.
|
A claw hammer |
Whenever doing any type of construction, it is always recommended to have a good hammer. With electrical work, you will be using a hammer quite often. Another handy tool to have is a pretty long and big flat head screw driver meant specifically to beat stuff around with. With a 'beat around screwdriver', as an electrician will commonly call it, you would be surprised how much time and effort you'll save whenever the situation calls for it.
|
Fat Max Brand tape measure |
A Fat Max tape measure is simply a tape measure that will allow you to measure whatever it is you need to measure at greater distances. This tape measure, which is made by Stanley, is a very good friend to have, especially if you're measuring stuff off of a ladder. The extra-thick width allows this tape measure to extend further without buckling due to pressure.
|
Razor knife |
A good razor knife is needed in home electrical just as much as masonary string is needed for a man who pours concrete all day. Romex and UF, the two maintypes of
|
|
These tools should be enough to get you through any major job you encounter when it comes to working on an electrical project in a residential setting. Remeber always - Safety First!!!