Essential Tools for Electricians
Without the right tools,electrical work cannot be well done no matter how experienced an electrician is. The list of electrician tools is getting longer every day because of the improvement of basic tools and development of new specialized tools over the years. There are must-have tools an electrician can’t do without no matter the type of work.
Choices must be made wisely to avoid being loaded with too many tools. To tackle different jobs with ease and efficiently an electrician needs the following hand and power tools.
Hand Tools
Electricians need basic hand tools to perform daily tasks. Today’s basic hand tools are safe and easy to use than their predecessors. They have improved designs that have reduced wrist and hand injuries caused by repetitive movements. You can now easily perform the same motion over and over again comfortably. Here are the basic hand tools an electrician should never lack.
1. Pliers
Pliers are critical tools especially for electricians who cut and manipulate wires. Pliers with contoured and cushioned handle provide a comfortable and powerful grip that allows an electrician to use them with ease. An electrician can have an array of pliers but the side cutting pliers,needle-nose pliers and reaming pliers are must have pliers.
2. Screwdrivers
An electrician should be armed with a variety of screwdrivers and nut drivers for a fast loosening and fastening of various hardware. Professional electricians carry adaptable screwdrivers such as Klein’s 10-in-one screwdriver that have interchangeable bits. Screwdrivers with heat treated shafts and well-cushioned handles are more preferred as they give the electrician an excellent and comfortable experience.
3. Wire Strippers
A wire stripper has a pair of opposing blades just like in scissors and a center notch that lets you cut insulations without cutting the wire. Wire strippers with curved handles are more preferred as they reduce fatigue caused by repetitive movements. Wire strippers with non-strip textured grips and a thumb guide are more comfortable and allow for faster wire stripping.
Power Tools
The ergonomic consideration in today’s corded and uncorded power tools makes them safer and easier to use. Cordless power tools are more convenient and versatile than the corded as they allow the user to move freely making the electrician more productive. Here are the two must have power tools for electricians.
1. Power Saws
The type of saw needed vary with tasks. There are various types of power saws. The portable band saw,hole saw,reciprocating saw,spiral saw,and cut-off saws are the common saws used for electrical works. They differ from one another based on how they operate. When buying an electrician’s power saw go for the one with a higher speed and has the ability to make clean cuts on metals.
2. Power Drills
Electricians like -need power drills when installing fixtures or disassembling the installed hardware to access wires. The drill and the power required is determined by the material being drilled. Multipurpose drills reduces the number of drills an electrician needs. A handheld electric drill with various grips can be used in different tasks. When buying a power cordless electric drill,battery run time and superior ergonomics should be considered.