Our whole world runs on electricity, so even a minor issue around the home can prove to be a major hassle. When you do have an issue, you need an electrician who can quickly and safely pinpoint and repair the problem. Whether they are dealing with complex circuits or simple faults, most electricians rely on a few basic tools to make their work easier. Here are our top picks for the tools that are a must-have in every electrician’s toolbox.
Wire Strippers & Cutters
The first port of call for every electrician, a good pair of wire strippers and cutters take a lot of the work out of handling cables. Simple wire strippers often look similar to a pair of pliers, except they’re designed to cut evenly through the insulation around a wire so that it can be stripped off for joining to terminals or other wires. Often these tools do double duty, and most have a built-in wire cutter so that electricians can strip and slice without switching tools. There are a few different types of wire strippers available, from simple cutters through to multi-action tools that can cut and strip in a single motion. Take a peak in an electrician’s tool box and you’re bound to find at least a few different versions of this tool.
Crimpers
Once wires have been stripped, they’ll often need new terminals crimped on. Crimpers are a specialist tool designed to neatly and evenly clamp terminals onto wires. While this job can be done with a pair of pliers in a pinch, proper crimpers make sure the terminal is attached securely to the wire. Having a good connection between the wire and terminals is critical when it comes to transmitting power, so crimpers that are sized for working with domestic cabling are an essential piece of every electrical tool kit.
Multimeter & Voltage Tester
Used for serious fault finding and testing work, multimeters and voltage testers show a range of information about power, current, resistance and continuity. Despite being a simple device, the humble multimeter is one of the most important electrical tools. They’re often used to do things like diagnose faulty appliances or circuits, helping your electrician find and identify problems.
Similarly, voltage testers are a tool that detects whether there is any power running through a wire. Voltage testers come in a few different varieties. Most are designed with a small light bulb that comes to life when the tool detects power upon contact with a wire. Others are more sophisticated and use electromagnets to detect power without the need to make direct contact – great for finding wires hidden behind plasterboard.
Oscillating Multi-Tool
A more recent tooling innovation, oscillating multi-tools are a type of power tool that oscillates at high speed, driving a small blade that can be used to make neat cuts into things like plasterboard and timber. Multi-tools get their name from their interchangeable cutting heads. Cutters are available in a range of shapes and sizes that make them suited to almost every cutting purpose. An oscillating tool makes it quick and easy to do things like cut holes for installing switches or power points, or to cut away plasterboard when inspecting faults or replacing faulty circuitry.
Need Quality Electrical Work? Contact Dawson Electric Today! For everything from air conditioning installations to simple home maintenance, the experienced team at Dawson Electric are ready to help. Our qualified electricians have tool boxes filled to the brim with all the equipment they need to carry out the simple repairs and complex installations that keep your home in tip-top shape. Get in touch with us today to book an appointment, or talk to our team if you’d like more information on the services we offer!