As an electrician’s job is dangerous and difficult, they are not only required to be well-trained but also have the right tools to perform their duties efficiently and safely.
If an electrician finds himself without the right tool when he needs it, he can end up causing severe damage to himself or others, as well as his business reputation.
So, besides being well trained, it becomes crucial for an electrician to have multiple tools in his bag so that he never gets stuck on the job site!
But if you’re wondering what tools should an electrician have in their tool bag, then here we will talk about some of the essential tools that every electrician should carry with him.
What Tools Should an Electrician Carry in Their Tool Bag?
Well, there is a vast range of tools that are required to solve different levels of electrical problems.
However, to make it easier for you to understand their relative importance, we have divided all the essential tools into three categories:
Hand Tools
Hand tools are tools that we can operate manually by hand, and they do not contain any motor.
Hand tools are required to solve the majority of electrical problems. Now let’s look at some essential hand tools that you should carry in your bag:
Digital Multimeter
A digital multimeter is a must-have piece of equipment for any electrician. It is a versatile tool that can be utilized to identify a variety of electrical problems and make them easy to solve.
With a digital multimeter, you can easily measure voltage, current, and resistance, as well as test continuity and diodes. A common use for the multimeter is to find shorts or broken wires inside wiring bundles by checking their continuity.
You can also employ the meter to measure the voltage on each circuit at various locations around the building during a system inspection. For these versatile use cases, an electrician’s tool bag should contain a digital multimeter.
Screwdrivers
Screwdrivers are among the most crucial tools an electrician must carry with him. It is their go-to instrument for a variety of activities, such as tightening and loosening screws, opening electrical boxes, and so on.
Additionally, having a range of screwdrivers (both flathead and Phillips) will guarantee that you are ready to unscrew all types of screws.
And because different types of electrical devices are sealed with various screws, it’s advised to keep at least six different screwdrivers in your bag.
Two for small, medium, and large screws. With these, you won’t have to be concerned about running out of tools when working on almost any project!
Pliers
There are several uses for pliers, like bending wires, gripping things tightly, and holding objects in place. Pliers also come in handy for holding the wiring and putting things together with bolts.
Well, pliers can come in different sizes and shapes. Some are used to twist wires, while others are made to be used for a variety of activities, including cutting wire. Others are meant to grab anything circular, like a pipe or rod.
For instance, if a situation rises to twist wires, but there isn’t much room to maneuver around freely, needle-nose pliers can get your job done.
That’s why carrying a different size of pliers in an electrician’s bag becomes essential.
Wire Strippers
Wire strippers are one of the most essential instruments for an electrician. A wire stripper is used to remove the coating from electrical cables so that the bare wire can be connected to terminals.
Yes, carrying a wire stripper or cutter is important because it not only allows you to easily remove the insulation of the wire, but it also allows you to remove insulation from a wire that is carrying current through it.
Furthermore, using a knife to remove the insulation could shock you or harm the wire itself, making it riskier to do so.
So, this is why an electrician should always have a good quality wire stripper in his tool bag.
Crimps
Crimps were invented to bind electrical wires firmly and avoid shorts since a secure connection is a component that flows electricity the best.
Crimping is a soldering alternative that is used to link cable to cable or cable to the terminal to ensure a solid bond & good flow of electricity.
Crimping, unlike soldered connections, does not necessitate extreme temps or potentially dangerous substances, meaning it’s safer than soldering as well.
Similarly, crimping is also much more efficient and requires less education than soldering, allowing workers to concentrate on their tasks rather than learning.
So, to guarantee secure and firm electrical conductivity, every electrician should keep crimps in their tool bag.
Razor Knife & Hacksaw
A razor knife is yet another important tool that an electrician can have in their tool bag. It is mainly used for cutting through insulation and other materials that may be blocking access to electrical wiring.
It can also be used to score lines on conduit, pipe, and other materials prior to cutting. Like the razor knife, you may also need the hacksaw to cut things smoothly.
Like, you can cut a piece of wood with a knife, but when it comes to cutting that wood smoothly, a hacksaw is needed. So, for cutting objects, an electrician should carry a razor knife and a hacksaw in his tool bag.
Hammer
A hammer is one of the most basic and essential tools that every electrician should have in their tool bag.
It can be used for a variety of tasks, such as driving nails or screws into walls, or prying boards apart, and much more.
Yes, the hammer has been around since before electricity was even invented, so it’s not just a great tool for electricians. You can still carry a hammer, which can be helpful for many types of tasks.
Power Tools
Power tools are tools that require additional power, such as electricity, to run and usually have a motor on them. Now here are the two important power tools that an electrician should have:
Power Drill
A power drill is one of the most versatile tools that an electrician should have in their tool bag. It can be used to drill holes for outlets, light fixtures, and switches.
You can also use a power drill to screw in screws and bolts. Plus, a power drill can be used to strip wire insulation!
Besides these, using a power drill can save your time. Like power, the drill will finish work much more quickly than it would take you hours to accomplish with a regular hammer & nails.
So, an electrician should always carry a power drill tool because it can seem efficient in the long run.
Drill Bits Set
Drill bits spin into the substance you need holes in after being attached to the drill’s chuck. They often come in sets, allowing you to drill holes of various sizes for various home task requirements.
That’s why a good set of drill bits is important for any electrician. With the right drill bit, you can quickly complete your task on any project, big or small.
So, when you carry your power drill with you, make sure you don’t forget to carry a drill bit set with you because you don’t know which size of bit you will need.
Other Tools
In this section, we will talk about some safety tools that may help you stay safe during your work time:
Headlamp
One of the most crucial tools an electrician can have in their tool bag is a headlamp. It allows you to see in low-light conditions, which is crucial when working with electricity.
A headlamp also frees up your hands, allowing you to concentrate on the task at hand. Some headlamps even have a built-in flashlight, which can be extremely useful in a pinch.
Some headlamps also include a sort of light for illuminating things like circuit breakers and wiring harnesses.
So, it would be much safer to have a headlamp in your bag instead of getting shocked in the dark.
Gloves
Another crucial safety precaution for electricians is the use of gloves. Wearing gloves is the easiest way to prevent burns and electrical shocks. They also make it easier for you to grip wire and tools firmly.
For instance, rubber is a poor conductor of electricity and does not allow the flow of electric current. The rubber gloves will therefore shield you from any electric shocks while repairing an electrical switch or appliance.
So, if you are an electrician, you must carry gloves in your bag.
Safety Goggles
Even if your job doesn’t require much close-up work, it’s still a good idea to carry around a pair of safety glasses just in case. In the long run, these affordable items will spare you some headaches.
Since your eyes are worth protecting, make sure you carry and wear safety goggles. At the same time, you solve an electrical problem because an unwanted spark or a moving material can spoil your eyes.
Well, these are the essential tools that every electrician should carry with them.
Conclusion
If you are an electrician, finding yourself without the right tool can be so frustrating. In this discussion, we tried to make you aware of what tools an electrician should have in their tool bag.
Yes, for basic tasks, you can carry only hand tools and safety tools with you. But, keeping all the tools in your bag would be the best way to be ready for all kinds of working conditions.
