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9 Must-Have Tools for Working with Electrical Wiring
A digital multimeter is one of the nine must-have tools for working with electrical wiring.
In recent years, more integrators have taken on electrical licenses so they can solve these power requirements without having to work around the schedule of an electrician.
But while most service trucks are readily stocked with the necessary tools for audio, video and data work, they may not have the proper tools for working with electrical wires.
We previously showed you 10 Go-To Tools for low-voltage work, so here are nine must-have products, courtesy of Klein Tools, that technicians need to have for line voltage work.
Click here for 9 must-have tools for working with electrical wiring.
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7 Comments (displayed in order by date/time)
Add the clamp meter for larger amp readings. All tools r indeed in my tool pouch/bag
Always double check your wires A non contact tester will Lie somtimes use a real volt meter, and I don,t care who tells you the power is off always Double Check it’s your life.
A white wire sharing a neutral may still have a load on it. Even if the circuit is off
Just need one tool… your head. If you don’t have experience with line voltage leave it alone. If you think wrapping a wire nut with 10’ of cheap electrical tape is good insurance…. you should not even attempt to think about touching electrical. Focus on your next trunk slam instead.
I’m going to have to agree with Ric. Also if your not a licensed journeyman electrician working for a company with a master electrician. That also has a electrical contractors license and have the proper insurance. The extra money you make is not worth the liability.
I suggest reading and following the latest (2012) copy of NFPA 70-E Electrical Safety for Workers.
The (2) screwdrivers must have insulated shafts. All wire cutters and needle nose pliers should have
protective skirts at the (insulated) handle tops as well as 1000v ratings.
We are recommending against using any
SOLENOID type tester for safety reasons. I agree workers should have both a Proximity tester and a tested DMM as well as a “clamp on” Ammeter.
Hey where are the Gloves ( Volt rated), Glasses & Hard hat? They go on FIRST.
Of course if your a qualified worker, working on or near energized components- you knew all of this already!
Ed Anderson III
NFPA 70-E Safety Instructor
Not understanding the limits and capeabilities of the first 3 tools in your list can get you killed. The first 2 require contact with live circuits and the first tool anyone needs is knowledge.
Anyone that cannot explain the correct use for these 3 similar tools should stay to driving nails.
Frankly the idea that anyone but fully trained electricians is working in any power conductor is well stupid. Even within the trade there are lots of electricians that should never be allowed to use a voltmeter and here we are advocating a tool makes you ready? Sorry this is a fluff article and only serves to encourage uninformed people to do electrical work.
A lot of wiring mistakes takes years to go bad and often only experienced people know how to really do wiring safely.
Jason, by far the most important tool is the current issue of The National Electrical Code, which shows under section 90.1 that electrical work must be done by a qualified person. Just having tools is part, but understanding the code requirements and safety issues working with line voltage is also required.