14 Best Electrician Tools to Maximize Efficiency

Ever lose electrical jobs just because you were short of electrician tools?

Are you worried about your safety when performing electrical jobs?

The answer to the questions is the addition of the best electrician tools. The quality of an electrician’s work can be greatly improved by using the proper electrical tools, which can also increase workplace safety. 

It’s critical for electricians to stay updated with the essential electrician tools and equipment on the market, given the rising demand for electrical services. To know the complete list of the electrician tools to boost your overall efficiency, refer to this blog!

1. Hand Tools

Hand tools are electric-free and operable by hand. Here are some of the most commonly used hand tools by electricians:

• Wire strippers

  Wire stripping is a method that requires a wire stripper to remove the insulation from the ends of wires to prepare them for connections. With various sizes and shapes, the wire strippers strip wires through the attached cutting blade. There is a mechanism for adjusting the depth of the blade to ensure the removal of insulation. It’s important to choose a wire stripper that fits comfortably in your hand.

• Pliers

  Pliers are versatile hand tools used to twist, cut, and grip wires.

Pliers	Use
Lineman’s pliers	Cutting and twisting wires
Diagonal-cutting pliers	Cutting wire
Needle-nose pliers	Reaching tight spaces
Long-nose pliers	Hold small objects Reach tight places Bend loops Attach wires
Pump pliers	Reach hard areas of nuts and bolts
Chain pliers	Hold, cut, and twist wires
Side-cutting pliers	Cutting wires and other materials

• Screwdrivers

  Screwdrivers are used to unscrew fasten other electrical components. There are several types of screwdrivers, including Flat-head screwdrivers, Insulated screwdrivers, Phillip-head screwdrivers, and Torx-head screwdrivers, each designed for a specific type of screw. It’s essential to have a set of screwdrivers in various sizes and shapes so you have the right tool for the job.

• Tester

  Testers are used to determine if a circuit is live or to determine the voltage of a circuit. There are different types of testers:

Tester	Use
Voltage Tester	Determines the presence of voltage in a circuit
Continuity Tester	Determines if there is a complete circuit
Multimeter	Measures voltage, current, and resistance in a circuit
Clamp Meter	Measures the current in a conductor without breaking the circuit
Non-Contact Voltage Tester	Determines the presence of voltage in a circuit without making physical contact
Insulation Tester	Measures the resistance of electrical insulation
Receptacle Tester	Detects incorrectly wired electrical wall outlets

2. Power Tools

Power tools operate using electrical motors that speed up and simplify electrical work. Here are a few of the power tools that electricians use most frequently:

• Drill

  An electric drill is a tool used for making holes and driving screws into various materials. There are several types of drills, including corded and cordless drills, each with its specific use. Cordless drills are convenient as they allow you to work without the restriction of a power cord, while corded drills are typically more powerful.

• Driver

  A driver is a powerful tool used to fasten various electrical components and drive screws. Drivers can be corded or cordless and come in a variety of sizes and forms. Screws can be driven significantly faster and with less effort with drivers compared to screwdrivers.

• Circuit Breaker Finder

  A power tool called a “circuit breaker finder” is used to locate the circuit breaker for a particular electrical circuit. It operates by sending a signal through the circuit and identifying the breaker attached to it. The ability to locate the right breaker makes this instrument indispensable for electricians.

• Grinder

  There are different types of grinders:

Grinder	Use
Angle Grinder	Grinds, cuts, and shapes different metal and other materials
Bench Grinder	Sharpens tools, grinds metals, and shapes materials
Die Grinder	Grinds and shapes metal and other materials in hard-to-reach spaces
Cut-off Grinder	Cuts metal and other materials
Belt Grinder	Grinds and shapes metal and other materials

3. Measuring Tools

Electricians need measurement tools because they help to assure accuracy in calculations and measurements. Here are some of the measuring devices that electricians use the most frequently

• Tapes

  A retractable ruler known as a tape measure is used to gauge lengths, including an object’s length and width. There are several lengths for tape measures, but 25 feet or longer is the most typical. There are two types of tapes, i.e.,  fish tape and electrical tape.

• Laser distance measurer

  A laser distance measurer is a computerized device that measures distances using a laser beam. When measuring lengths or locating an object’s center, this tool is more precise and effective than a tape measure.

• Level

  A level is an instrument used to check whether something is vertically plumb or horizontally level. There are many different sizes and types of levels, such as torpedo levels and bubble levels.

• Square

  A square is a tool used for measuring, marking, and determining the squareness of a surface. There are many different sizes and shapes of squares, such as combination squares and frame squares, each with a particular application.

4. Safety Equipment

The high-voltage electrical systems that electricians operate are seriously dangerous. Using the proper safety equipment is essential for electricians to safeguard themselves from electrical shocks. The following are some of the most crucial safety equipment for electricians.

• Rubber gloves 

  It acts as a shock absorber between an electrical contractor’s hand and electrical current. They come in different sizes and are made of insulating materials, such as rubber or neoprene to prevent electrical shock.

• Safety glasses 

  It protects the electrician’s eyes from debris and sparks generated by electrical work. These glasses are made up of polycarbonate lenses that provide protection against impacts and UV rays.

• Hard hat

  Such hats shield electricians’ heads from flying debris, collisions, and electrical dangers, so electricians must wear hard hats. All the colored hats are for different types of electrical work, and the work can be determined through hats.

• Face shield

  A face shield is a safety measure that completely encloses the face in order to shelter it from electrical arcs and sparks. Face shields should be composed of materials that offer protection against impacts and are often worn over safety glasses.

• Fire extinguisher

  Fire can be extinguished with the help of a fire extinguisher. In case of a fire emergency, electricians should have a fire extinguisher handy.

Things to Consider Before Choosing the Best Electrical Tools

• Purpose

  Before buying, the purpose should be clear and specific; don’t buy any such electrical tools just because either they are cheap or multi-functional. For example, though the pliers have a specific use, it comes with a metal head that can be used to hit a nail in the wall.  Here, you cannot consider the metal head as a substitute for an electrician’s hammer and drop the idea of buying a hammer. 

• Portability

  Portability is a key consideration for professional electricians who work on the fly. Although cordless tools are frequently the most portable, it’s crucial to pick a tool with long battery life and ease of carrying.

• Safety & ratings

  Installing light fixtures or industrial settings are risky jobs since they might accidentally cut, burn, or electrocute you. Besides, you might accidentally pierce your skin because all the electrical wires consist of sharp metal. That’s the reason you must wear safety gloves whenever you are working with wires.

• Storage feasibility

  It’s crucial to select electrical tools that have been made with safety in mind when performing electrical work because it might be risky. Look for tools with safety features like shock-absorbing handles or shields.

• Functionality

  Pick tools that are appropriate and make your electrical job easier. Make sure the instruments you choose have the functions and qualities you require to finish the work.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the tools for electricians are essential to perform their jobs effectively and safely. From tools like wire strippers and pliers to power tools like drills and circuit testers (aka voltage testers) to measuring tools and safety gear, each tool has a specific purpose and is crucial for completing electrical projects efficiently.

When selecting electrical tools, it’s important to choose high-quality, durable tools that are appropriate for the type of work being performed. By investing in the right specialty tools, electricians can be confident that they have all the tools they need to tackle any electrical projects and keep their work environment safe.

Once you upgrade your list of tools and equipment with the above-given list, make sure that you adopt automated software like InvoiceOwl as well. This electrical estimating and invoicing software allows you to create and send estimates & invoices in a few taps so that you can win more jobs and get paid on time respectively.