Electrical Tools: What Every Electrician Should Have in His Toolbox

If you are working with electricity, there are certain electrical tools you will need to familiarize yourself with. Although every electrician probably has pliers and screwdrivers handy, it is important to have tools that are specific to electrical tasks. These tools will determine whether electricity has a continuous, unblocked flow between two points. They will also ensure that a clean, clear path is available for electricity to flow through. Read on to find out which electrical tools every electrician needs in his toolbox.

Electrical Tools:

Voltage Tester: A voltage tester will determine whether electricity is flowing at all. It can tell you whether or not a contact is live.

Continuity Tester: This tool can tell you whether individual components are carrying electricity.

Volt-Ohm-Milliammeter (VOM): This tool is also called a multitester. It will tell you if a circuit is conducting electricity and measure the amount of electricity it is conducting.

Compressed Air: By using this tool to blow air onto contacts, you can clear dirt and grime from your components and create a clean, clear path for electricity to flow through.

Electrical Contact Cleaner: Like compressed air, an electrical contact cleaner will also ensure there is a clean path through which electricity will flow. In this case, it is done with a bit of cleaning solution.

Multi-Meter: A multi-meter combines many measurements functions in one unit. It can measure voltage, current and resistance.

Amp Meter: An amp meter measures the amount of current in a circuit.

Other Necessary Electrical Tools:

The electrical tools listed above are specific to those electricians who will need to for working with electricity. However, there are other tools that might be more commonly found in toolboxes, that all electricians should also have on hand. These include:

Side Cutters: Not only are these great for loosening and tightening objects, they can be valuable to electricians specifically, due to their capability to ream and smooth conduit.

Wire Stripper and Cutter: Because electricians work with wire so often, it is obvious why a wire stripper and cutter may come in handy. These are great for cutting, bending and looping wire.

Tool Pouch With Belt: Anyone who works in the residential or commercial service industry should be able to have immediate access to his or her tools at all time. A tool pouch with belt will be necessary.

Torpedo Level: Torpedo levels can help find angles, true horizontal and vertical in tight spaces quickly. This can be valuable when working with pipes.

These are just some examples of the tools that every electrician should have in his toolbox. Some necessary tools may be specific to electricians because they are necessary in determining whether electrical current is present and, if so, how powerful it is. Other tools are good for more general applications, like tightening loosening or cutting, but they are still just as necessary. If you work in the electrical field, you should familiarize yourself with these tools and how they function so you know which electrical tools you should have in your toolbox.