Basic elements of the electrician's tool kit

Every trained electrician should have an array of tools to help them with everyday activities from screwdrivers to pliers. If you have newly completed an electrician's training course and are looking to equip yourself with all the primary supplies then this could be of use to you.

For health and safety reasons improper tools should not be used to complete electrical work, tools with insulation are a necessity as electricity can be so hazardous. Selecting the best design is important as you need your tools to feel comfortable in your hand, particularly because you will require them every day. Repetitive movements can cause nasty hand and wrist problems, the tools you purchase can reduce the chance of pain when you are older.

With a broad amount of choice it is hard to decide on a particular brand. Have a look at forums to see what other people advise. When you've got an idea of the tools you may buy check out reviews on the internet to aid your final choice. High quality tools will last a long time so think carefully before buying as this equipment will remain in your toolbox for years-that is if they haven't been misplaced!

Pliers. Pliers are perhaps the most important tool an electrician will need as they are used every day. Side-cutting pliers (sometimes called snips or diagonal pliers) are required for snipping wire. The shape is purposely designed to allow the cutting of wire in tight spaces when other tools might not be suitable. Needle-nose pliers have long thin blades that come together in a point, they are used for gripping and cutting narrow wire. This tool is particularly useful when you are working in a space that is crowded or the wires are small.

Wire Strippers. Primarily needed to strip off the insulating coat from around the wires. Handily, a good pair of wire strippers will be designed with an integrated size guide, enabling you to neatly strip wires of different diameters, while leaving the wire unde
eath intact.

Nut Drivers. Also called socket sets, they look similar to a screwdriver, and are used for fastening nuts and bolts, giving you the increased torque to do so. A set of nut drivers will include the main driver, accompanied by varying sizes of interchangeable sockets, making them useful and space saving.

Multimeter. A multimeter is a portable device that is needed to test for electrical problems and is a particularly useful gadget in an electrician's tool kit. This measuring device has several functions in one; measuring current, voltage and resistance to a high degree of precision.

Measuring Tape. Other measuring devices are important for all electricians; a tape measure is required daily by the majority of trades-people. Do not restrict yourself by buying one that is not long enough; go for one at least 25 feet long.

Fishing Tool. A fishing tool is needed by electricians to manipulate wires behind walls and other structures. It's composed of a metal or plastic case that covers a thin piece of flexible metal coil. Rather than having to knock down areas of a wall a fishing tool can be fed into a little notch in a wall and is used to pull cable through.

Power Tools. Commonly required power tools kept in an electrician's arsenal are saws and drills. Lower power drills are preferred for smaller jobs where extra torque is not required, such as delicate fastening switches and plugs etc. The larger hammer drills are needed on jobs when thick surfaces need to be penetrated, for feeding cables through house walls for example.

An electrician's tool kit is full of different tools each designed with a specific purpose. Once you have qualified as an electrician you will need to get hold of a number of tools including pliers and wire strippers for daily jobs. Don't rush and buy all that you may need immediately, begin with the essentials and then assemble your kit as you go along. Always look for quality tools as they will last you.