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Electricians are always in-demand and will rarely struggle for work. It’s also an incredibly lucrative potential career that allows you to travel and work to your own hours. So it’s no wonder it has become such a desirable profession in recent years. However, it’s a job that requires not only a fair amount of skill and patience but also a well-stocked toolkit.
If you’re considering training as an electrician, there are a handful of electrical tools you’ll need to get very familiar with over the next few months. Here are some of the more notable ones.
Voltage checker
Being safe is crucial when it comes to protecting yourself and your customers and that’s why a voltage tester should be at the top of your shopping list. These are, as the name suggests, handheld meters that plug directly into a source and indicate whether a voltage is present and how strong that voltage is. There are two types of voltage tester – solenoid and electronic. The former is the older technology and are generally cheaper and the latter are more modern, precise and faster.
Insulated tools
If you’re going to be working with any electrics with a voltage over 50V then you’ll need to protect yourself from shock. An electricians tools should always be insulated, with 91% of working electricians classing insulated tools as absolutely vital to the job. Insulated screwdrivers, pliers, cutters and more will keep you safe from electric shocks and short circuits. Always look for tools with a 1000V ac rating, which means they can safely be used on live electric panels.
Wall chaser
Electrical work can sometimes be messy and disruptive. Indeed, you will occasionally need to cut into walls to reach existing wiring or install fresh wiring. In these instances, rather than taking a sledgehammer to the walls your best bet is to use a wall chase. These power tools cut small channels into the wall that allow wiring to fit neatly into a property with minimal fuss. Note that using a wall chaser will generate a lot of dust, so always wear a mask when operating one and keep the room well ventilated.
Wire strippers
Finally, one of the most fiddly jobs an electrician will be tasked with doing on a daily basis is wire stripping. This involves removing the insulation from a wire to either fix the wire or replace the old insulation. Without a wire stripper, which is a tool specifically designed for this job, it would be an incredibly tedious process. That’s why wire strippers are not only popular with electricians but general DIY experts and handymen too. They are available in a variety of shapes and sizes and use serrated teeth to peel away the insulation without damaging the wire. Note, however, that you’ll need a variety of different strippers to match the various gauges of wire.
