Whether you are an electrician by profession or just interested in getting some electrical work done, you must have all the right tools at all times to get the job done efficiently.
However, with a long list of available tools in the market today, it can be challenging to identify the essentials.
You might even end up purchasing some that you won’t really need.
Let us help you out as we narrow down the list to the 31 tools every electrically inclined professional needs to have in their kit!
Hand Tools and Accessories
What basic tools should every electrician keep on them or, at least, inside their toolbox?
Here they are:
1. Multimeter
In your high school science labs, you might have experimented with voltmeters, resistors, and ammeters.
A multimeter combines all three, so you don’t have to carry those tools and place them in your toolbox individually.
Thus, its basic use is to check conductors and circuit continuity and measure socket voltage and even car battery levels.
2. Circuit Breaker Finder
Now, working with circuit directories is a tough job, especially because it is hard to locate particular connections.
Also, the service panels do not help because they do not typically match the directory.
Luckily, you can make your job a lot easier by using a circuit breaker finder. It will direct you to where the fault is or even locate the route or location of a simple circuit and more.
3. Voltage Tester
While on the job, you need to identify whether certain wires are “live” or not. As you already know, working with live wires can be dangerous, even lethal.
Therefore, a voltage tester can come in handy in such cases where you must ensure you are safe before you even start working. It works on electrical wires, as well as electrical devices.
Your best bet is to get a voltage tester that can detect voltage without coming into physical contact with the wire or device.
4. Screwdrivers
Although this seems like an odd entry on this list, it’s here for a good reason, so hear us out.
For starters, screwdrivers and nut drivers are essential in any tool kit.
For electricians, in particular, there are purpose-built drivers that they can work with; for instance, screwdrivers are essential for opening up standard switchboards.
It is best to have a variety of sizes and types as well, so you can use them for any purpose that is needed.
5. A Pair of Pliers
This tool is a fairly self-explanatory item for your kit. A good pair of pliers is essential because they aid electricians in gripping wires and other electrical components.
In addition, you need to get into certain nooks you can’t reach with your bare hand, and the pliers will do the job perfectly.
You can also use pliers to cut through wires (diagonal and for side cuts), tighten certain connections and clamps, and more.
6. Duct Tape
Duct tape is a quick-fix solution for almost any repair job out there. In the field of electrical work, we are more inclined towards using “fish tape.”
The primary purpose of the fish tape is to aid electricians when it comes to pushing or pulling a piece of wire through a closed conduit.
It is also easily contracted or deployed depending on the job you are using it for and the specific length you require.
7. Hammer
You are probably already aware of the standard claw hammers that you can find in any standard garage tool kit.
Claw hammers really shine through when it comes to removing nails embedded deep in the wood.
Regular hammers are also necessary for electricians working on construction sites, in particular, to fix up board and connections well.
They also come in handy for removing odd wood pieces and splinters to clean your work surface.
8. Leveler
When setting up a circuit board or switchboard, it is integral that you make sure it is completely level or parallel to the ground.
Unleveled boards can hinder the working of circuits, and it only worsens with time.
Therefore, this is more of a precautionary piece of equipment as it helps you ensure that everything is leveled before you give the final go-ahead.
It allows for proper functionality and symmetry within the electrical circuits.
9. Tape Measure
You can find tape measure in a wide variety of tool kits no matter which profession you are in. Even most at-home tool kits have them.
If you think electricians don’t need tape measures, you might be in for a surprise!
However, the choice is up to you because there are countless types of tape measures out there.
Therefore, you can go ahead and choose the one that suits you the best.
10. Portable Light Source
The portable light source seems like a fancy term, but we are only referring to a torch-like light source that you can use while working in the dark.
For this purpose, a headlamp will also be really useful as it frees up both your hand so you can work with ease.
11. Electrical Tape
Electrical tape is a pressure-sensitive adhesive material that provides insulation for wires and other objects that conduct electricity.
Either made of vinyl, plastic, or fiberglass cloth, the electrical tape offers an added layer of security by preventing electric currents from passing to wires accidentally.
12. Cable Ties
Bind electrical wires securely and easily using cable ties or zip ties. These affordable fasteners are a must-have for any electrician, as they help keep their tools and workspaces in order.
13. Electric Drills
Electric drills allow electricians to perform various tasks, from lighting installations to disassembling hardware.
A handheld model is a great tool to have around, as it helps electricians speed through tasks like accessing wiring, putting up lighting fixtures, affixing objects on walls (particularly the reaming bit, which we’ll discuss below), and other duties.
Corded models should be fine for most beginners and some professionals, but if you don’t want power and wiring to limit your work, consider getting a cordless one.
Milwaukee and DeWalt are some of the best manufacturers of power tools, electric drills included.
14. Fish Tape
This is another tool every electrician should have. Through conduit piping, you can use it to run wiring between electrical components, especially gang boxes.
Housed inside a retractable coil, you can feed fish tape into conduit piping.
Then, you can hook the wiring to the tape once it sticks out the other side. Lastly, pull the wire along the piping.
15. Fishing Rods
Are we looking at a list of top tools for every fisher? We promise you will see the point of this item very soon.
Fishing rods can also be essential to electricians, especially for wiring installations.
They can make it easier for these professionals or DIYers (make sure to be safe!) to install wiring behind ceilings and walls and below carpets.
A rod makes it easier to maneuver wires along these hard-to-reach places, making it another must-have in any electrician’s toolbox or, more appropriately, shed or service car.
16. Terminal Block
A terminal block is a modular, insulated device that lets you bundle wires together securely. Electricians use them to connect wiring to a ground or link outlets and switches to mains.
17. Reaming Bit
Conduit installation requires linking various piping segments together to form a wiring passage between components.
To ensure this route is effectively in place, electricians need to attach a reaming bit to an electric drill, so it creates a wider opening on one end of the piping.
The bigger opening makes it easier to insert different piping segments, ensuring a securely installed conduit.
18. Splicing Connector
Splicing connectors help electricians make multiple wiring connections on the go. They’re usually made of plastic and can be used on different kinds of wires, including telephone cables, electrical wires, and gadget wires.
19. Conduit Bender
Electricians often run wiring behind walls, corners, and other concealed areas when plotting wiring.
They tend to use conduit benders to curve piping to accommodate these wires and ensure nonintrusive and efficiently placed conduits in the home.
20. Wire and Cable Lugs
Like the versions used in car batteries and jumper cables, wire and cable lugs for electrical wires are used to connect wires to cables, electrical appliances, and other devices that require power.
21. Wire Strippers
Stripping plastic sheathing off wires is all in a day’s work for pro electricians courtesy of wire strippers. This is so it becomes easier to connect wiring and components in a customized manner.
Electricians use a wide variety of stripping tools to accomplish this effectively.
22. Coax Connector
Coax connectors not only connect cables to devices but also ensure these connections are protected from shredding.
There are different types to choose from, and electricians usually want to secure many of each kind to meet specific client needs.
Safety Tools
Electricians protect themselves from the hazards of their job by securing the following:
23. Safety Glasses
One of the most vulnerable parts of the body are the eyes, which are particularly susceptible to damage from exposure to electrical currents, harsh lighting, and wayward electric sparks—some of the perils of daily electrical work.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned electrician, donning a pair of safety glasses as you perform hazardous electrical tasks ensures your eyes and the rest of your face stay protected throughout the activity.
24. Rescue Rods or Hooks
There are objects you can’t touch with your bare hands while doing electrical work, but rescue rods or hooks ensure you can move or remove them safely by hand.
You never quite know if a current is live, and even if you use a voltage tester, you don’t want to risk finding out without the proper safety equipment.
In this profession, it is considered a stroke of luck to end up in the emergency room, as things can get far, far worse.
25. Insulated Gloves
Sheath your hands in a pair of these to give yourself an extra layer of protection against live electrical wiring.
Potential electrocution can come in many forms when you’re an electrician, so it’s a must to take precautions.
Insulated gloves come in different designs and sizes to suit your style and comfort.
26. Fire-Resistant Shirts
Flame retardant work shirts provide an added layer of safety for both veteran electricians and their apprentices.
They help protect against electrocutions, fires, and arc flashes, which can cause third-degree burns on the body.
High-Tech Tools
The electrical industry has also made great progress digitally, with many implementing the following software in their day-to-day jobs:
27. Scheduling Software
Managing the schedules of a mile-long list of clients can prevent electricians from focusing on their actual job.
These professionals can make it easier on themselves by either designating the task to a team member or using scheduling software.
Doing both is also a good option if you have the budget. But let’s focus on the software.
These tools help contractors plan their and their clients’ schedules ahead, so everything stays on track and proceeds smoothly.
Electricians may also rely on this software to arrange schedules around their other jobs, busy periods, and the weather.
Some tools may also take into consideration a specific job’s complexities and tech requirements when inputting them into your digital calendar.
You may even integrate certain software with your online customer service, where you can program it to answer accordingly and ask the right questions.
You may even record your clients’ complaints and playback and address them at a later time.
28. Marketing Software
If you’re looking to make a career out of being an electrician, you might see yourself needing marketing software.
This tool lets you create the ideal ad and marketing campaigns with a few clicks, so you can focus on what you’re good at—your actual job!
Chances are good software will feature real-time insights into existing companies’ successful campaigns, so you may model your campaigns after theirs.
Additionally, a good tool should provide access to scorecards on bookings, revenue, jobs, and other metrics for measuring marketing success.
Ideally, you will want to pick software that uses a cloud-based system for more convenient real-time monitoring and detailed play-by-plays of every ad’s return on investment.
29. Invoice Generator
You’re a big-time company now, so it’s only natural that you go digital in every way that counts. With invoice-generating software, you can generate and send invoices to clients through email, text, or other methods.
Customize your invoices from your phone while on the go. Get rid of time-consuming documentation that comes with manual invoicing.
Streamline this part to make things more convenient for yourself and your customers. Chances are you will see your performance improve with each day this software is implemented.
30. Reporting Software
If you have a team, it’s only natural to want to know how each member is performing. You might be doing good overall, but this tool will make clear the metrics to improve on.
Is there someone bringing down the team’s average? Are you lagging behind in a specific metric? Why so?
The tool may not only help you answer these and other important questions, but it’ll also help you devise the best solution for addressing each problem.
The right tool can enlighten you on profit margins, ROI, and other metrics essential to your business.
It should also let you customize income tracking by different periods to give you a clear picture of your performance from all perspectives.
31. ROI Calculator
How much income can you actually generate as an electrician? The moment you previously thought was impossible is now here, and it’s time to see how far you can actually go.
An ROI calculator can contribute greatly to devising that path to success. A tool by a good company lets you capitalize on all the ways to yield a positive ROI.
Using good software, you might see those important figures increase by the day. From more bookings and appointments to higher hiring rates and average tickets, there are tons of metrics a decent ROI calculator can help you improve on.
An Electrician’s Complete Tool Kit
Now that you know the tools you need to complete your electrician’s tool kit, all there’s left is to ensure you have all these handy at all times.
Doing so will save you from a ton of embarrassment, inconvenience, and even a trip to the hospital!
