The document discusses the essential tools used in electrical trades. It identifies various hand tools electricians use, such as: diagonal pliers for cutting small conductors, lineman's pliers for cutting large conductors, wire strippers for stripping insulation, and needle-nose pliers for forming loops on small conductors. It also discusses tools for specialty work like conduit bending and fish tapes for pulling cables. The document stresses selecting the proper tools for jobs, maintaining tools, and purchasing quality tools that will last.

1. Electrical Trades
Electrician’s Tools Of The Trade

2. Building Trades: Electrical Tools of the Trade 2
Learning Objectives
 Identify the basic hand tools used in the electrical
trades.
 Select the essential tools for each specific job.
 Maintain and use these tools safely.
 List factors to consider when purchasing hand tools.

3. Building Trades: Electrical Tools of the Trade 3
The Electrician’s Tool Pouch
 The Electrician’s tool pouch is essential in
that it helps kept electrical tools organized.
The tool pouch allows the right tools at
hand which makes the job more efficient.
 The electrician must have proper tools for
the job.
 Tools must be maintain and kept in good
working condition.
 Certain tools are essential, and without
them the electrician should not attempt to
do any type of wiring.
 Listed are the basic hand tools that are
essential to electrical wiring.

4. Building Trades: Electrical Tools of the Trade 4
Electrical Specific Hand Cutting Tools
Diagonal pliers (dykes)
 Cutting small conductors
 Cutting conductors in limited spaces
Lineman’s pliers (side cutters)
 Cutting large conductors
 Forming loops on large conductors
 Pulling and holding large conductors
Wire strippers
 Stripping insulation from conductors
 Cutting small conductors
 Crimping wire lugs
Needle-nose pliers
 Forming loops on small conductors
 Cutting and stripping small conductors

5. Building Trades: Electrical Tools of the Trade 5
Electrical Specific Hand Tools
Tap tool
 Equipping drill holes with bolt threads
 Retapping damaged threads
 Determining bolt size
Center punch
 Making center tap in wood or metal for
drilling
Flat-blade screwdriver
 Installing and removing slot-head
screws
Phillips screwdriver
 Installing and removing phillips-head
screws

6. Building Trades: Electrical Tools of the Trade 6
Electrical Specific Hand Tools
Slip-joint pliers
 Holding couplings and conductors
 Tightening couplings and conductors
Magnetic torpedo level
 Leveling conduit and equipment
Keyhole saw
 Cutting holes in plasterboard for circuit
boxes
Conduit reamer
 Reaming burrs from cut conduits and
EMT

7. Building Trades: Electrical Tools of the Trade 7
Electrical Specific Hand Tools
Hacksaw
 Cutting large conductors and cables
 Cutting conduit, metal, or bolts
Steel measuring tape
 Measuring conduit and cable
Adjustable wrenches
 Used for turning bolts, nuts, and small
pipe fittings
Nut driver
 Installing and removing nuts and bolts
 Tightening and loosening nuts and
long bolts

8. Building Trades: Electrical Tools of the Trade 8
Electrician's Essential Tools
Electrician’s hammer
 Diving and pulling nails
 Opening wooden crates and breaking
plasterboard
Circuit tester
 Checking circuits for power
 Checking fuses and breakers
Electrician’s knife
 Opening paper cartons
 Stripping cables and large conductors
Hex key set (Allen wrenches)
 Installing and removing Allen screws

9. Building Trades: Electrical Tools of the Trade 9
Tools Used for Specialty Work
Steel fish tape and reel
 Pulling conductors through conduit
 Pulling cables through insulated walls
Conduit bender
 Bending conduit for conductor installation
Rotating speed screwdrivers
 Used for trim work, installing switch
and receptacles
Sheet metal Cutters
 Used for cutting and trimming sheet
metal

10. Building Trades: Electrical Tools of the Trade 10
Rules for care of hand tools
 There are many more hand and power
tools that electricians will use in
residential and commercial wiring.
 All tools should be used only for the
purpose intended.
 It is the electrician’s responsibility to keep
his or her tools sharp, clean, and
lubricated.
 A well maintained tool has a longer life
and is safer than an improperly
maintained tool.
 Repair tools when possible, but discard
worn or damaged tools.

11. Building Trades: Electrical Tools of the Trade 11
Factors For Purchasing Tools
Factors to consider when purchasing
tools are size, design, and quality.
 Always purchase the correct sized
tools for the work to be done.
 Tools should be designed specifically
for electrical work. Ex: Insulated
handles, hammers with straight claws.
 The purchase of quality tools last
longer which saves replacement cost.

12. Building Trades: Electrical Tools of the Trade 12
Remember
 Select the right tool for the job.
 Keep tools clean, lubricated, and in good working
condition.
 Purchase good quality tools they are safer and will last
longer.
 Repair tools when possible, but discard worn or
damaged tools.