Electricians are truly a commodity in the US right now. With dependable trade workers on the decline, with respect to a variety of different reasons, it is getting harder and harder for contractors to fill their rosters with trained and talented workers – leading to a vacuum in the market and a huge opportunity for those seeking a career change.
There’s a lot to learn about electrical work. Everyone has to start somewhere, though – and here we are starting with the tools of the trade. What are some of the most essential tools in an electrician’s kit? And what are those tools used for? This brief guide will focus on the noble art of domestic electricals, as commercial and high-voltage work commands an entirely different skill- and tool-set.
Wire Strippers
A huge amount of domestic electrical work for the jobbing electrician revolves around the routing, fixing and termination of cables. As such, wire strippers are amongst the most-used tools in the electrician’s toolbox. They can cut wires to size, and strip sheathing from the ends in order that proper connections can be made – whether via crimped-on terminals or hard-wiring to outlets.
Voltmeters
Naturally, the cables in question need to be tested for operation and connectivity during an electrical repair or install. There are various meters and multimeters used by electricians for such work, with continuity testers being especially important for troubleshooting wires and finding breaks in a circuit.
However, as far as personal safety is concerned, digital voltmeters are key pieces of kit. These measure voltages across an element, showing the electrician what they’re dealing with – whether there’s a charge to avoid or a problem with the supply.
Insulated Screwdrivers
Safety is, of course, the most important aspect of working in electrics – even when domestic 110V lines pose a relatively smaller risk to workers than larger-scale commercial and industrial thousand-volt-plus lines do. Insulated tools are a must for working actively with electrics, whether fitting breakers in a fuse box or fitting conduit through a crawlspace.
Accidents happen, and you don’t want a clear path to your body if your screwdriver pierces a cable or connects with a live terminal. Insulated screwdrivers stand the metal components off from you with non-conductive materials, creating a safe barrier between you and the dangers of your work.
PPE
Lastly, but easily most importantly of all, there is the matter of PPE. Just as insulated screwdrivers are an essential tool for protecting the worker from making a dangerous connection with live wires, so too is protective clothing vital to keeping the worker safe from harm.
The most important – and most common – item of PPE in an electrician’s arsenal is the rubber-soled electrical safety boot. These are workboots that hold the worker off from ground, reducing the likelihood that connecting with a live wire will create a meaningful circuit to ground.
