The article discusses the minimum necessary tool required for electrical installation work in electrical networks with voltages up to 1000 V, including when working with home electrical wiring.
The set of tools that may be needed to perform electrical repairs or installations can vary greatly. But at the same time, there is a tool that you cannot do without. It is he, along with insulating tape, heat-shrinkable tubing and small wires, that any electrician always has at hand:
- Test instrument (multimeter and probe).
- Pliers.
- An adjustable wrench or a set of socket wrenches.
- Phillips screwdriver.
- Straight powerful screwdriver.
- Straight thin screwdriver.
- Flashlight.
With increasing professionalism, an amateur electrician may have an additional tool that can simplify or speed up the work. Let's consider the possible “arsenal” of an electrician in more detail.
Electrical circuit condition monitoring tool
The first thing an electrician must do is to protect himself from electric shock, so he not only turns off the circuit breaker or other device used to de-energize part of the electrical network, but also monitors the lack of electricity using a special device.
Phase absence-presence probe in a 220 V, 50 Hz network
The minimum necessary, and at the same time very cheap, tool is the so-called control, or probe. With its help you can find the “phase”, which is necessary for the correct connection of a number of electrical appliances.
Most probes are made in the form of a screwdriver, but you should not use them for installation work, as they are made of weak metal and plastic. During installation, the probe body often breaks, and the metal nose bends and crumbles.
Universal multimeter
The most informative device, which allows not only to check the presence or absence of voltage, but also to diagnose a malfunction and check the correct installation, is a multimeter, which many call a “tseshka”, since that was the name of one of the first mass-sold devices of this type.
There are a large number of devices of this type on sale, but since they often fail (for example, when trying to measure the resistance on a non-de-energized network element), there is no need for beginners to purchase expensive, professional devices.
When choosing a device, you should pay attention to the quality of the probes sold in the kit. The probes should be soft, elastic, and easily withstand bending anywhere. The second thing you should pay attention to is the quality of the case; ideally, it should have a special rubber cover on it. The device should allow you to measure DC and AC voltage and resistance; other options are rarely used.
Specialized multimeter
Professional electricians may be interested in specialized multimeters.
Thus, the model shown in the photo allows you to accurately determine the inductance, capacitance and resistance of the measured circuit.
Current clamps
No less popular are current clamps, which allow you to measure the current flowing through wires without direct contact with conductive parts and connect without breaking the circuit.
This device is universal, it allows you to measure current, and with the help of additional probes - DC and AC voltage, circuit resistance.
Megger
A very convenient device that allows you to check the quality of the insulation of an electrical circuit is a megger.
This device, using a built-in dynamo, can create a potential of 500, 1000 or 2500 V and, by measuring the leakage current, show the resistance of the circuit. It is indispensable when checking electrical cables and motors when there is a suspicion of problems with their insulation.
Cutting tool
Working with electrical wiring requires stripping insulation and cutting electrical cables or wires into measured lengths, so you cannot do without a cutting tool during installation work.
Stationery knife
The main tool for any electrician is a knife. You can use absolutely any sharp knife, but the most convenient are stationery knives with a replaceable blade.
This knife is convenient for stripping wires and even cutting thin copper wire.
Nippers (side cutters)
In order to cut thicker wires, and with some skill to strip them, use various wire cutters or side cutters.
Cable cutter
A thick cable or its individual cores are cut using cable cutters of various designs.
Classic pliers
For an electrician, there is no more versatile tool than pliers. When purchasing them, you need to pay attention to the inscriptions on the plastic part of the handles. If there is an inscription 1000 V, then they can be used to perform electrical work, even without turning off the voltage.
Pliers make it easy to cut through a thin cable or wire; they can be used to strip insulation from wires. If you do not have the required open-end or socket wrench, you can use pliers to loosen or tighten the bolted connection. Pliers can be used when making twisted wire connections, providing better contact. Pliers are the most versatile tool for an electrician; you should not skimp on their quality.
Pliers
To optimize cable handling, specially shaped pliers can be used - round-nose pliers and thin-nose pliers.
The rounded and thinned shape of the jaws of this type of pliers makes it possible to simplify the installation of monolithic wires to screw terminals (a “ring” design). The main thing about them is durable metal and high-quality plastic on the handles.
Strippers
If it is necessary to perform a large amount of installation, a specialized tool designed for stripping insulation from wires of various diameters, called a stripper, can significantly speed up the work.
Removing insulation from a wire using a stripper is done with one click of the handle, which significantly reduces the time required to strip wires. Using the built-in cutters, the wire is cut into measured lengths.
Screwdrivers, wrenches, hexagons
Electrical installation of wires can be carried out using several types of wire fixation: screw and spring-pressure.
If the first type has been known to everyone for a long time to one degree or another, then the spring-clamping type appeared relatively recently, and, thanks to the ease of installation and reliability of fixing the wires, is actively gaining popularity.
Installation of wire into a spring-pressure terminal block
The principle of the spring-pressure terminal block is simple. Inside there is a conductive plate on which a spring presses; using a screwdriver, the spring is pulled back and a wire is inserted into the resulting space between the spring and the conductor. After the screwdriver is removed, the spring securely fixes the wire.
The main types of screwdrivers required for electrical work
Based on the need to screw or press various types of connecting elements, the electrician selects the optimal set of screwdrivers, wrenches or socket wrenches, and hexagons.
Wrenches (open-end and box-end)
An electrician's kit should contain both Phillips (+) and straight screwdrivers (-) of various sizes. When choosing, it is advisable to give preference to those screwdrivers whose handles are marked 1000 V. Good insulation is necessary, since quite often you have to “tighten” various screw connections without relieving the tension. The tip of such screwdrivers is covered with plastic to minimize the likelihood of accidental contact with other live parts of the electrical installation.
Because wrenches and open-end wrenches are made entirely of metal, you must ensure that there is no dangerous voltage present before using them.
adjustable wrench
Electrical installations use bolts and nuts of various diameters, which is why you need to have a solid supply of wrenches with you, so many electricians prefer to make do with pliers and an adjustable wrench.
Socket wrench with socket set
In many mounting locations, the nuts and bolt heads are “recessed” and can only be turned using socket wrenches.
Torque wrench with socket set
Since copper and aluminum are rather soft metals, the tightening force of bolts and nuts in electrical installations can be clearly standardized. For installation work, a torque wrench can be used to control the force applied to the threaded connection.
Hex key set
Many imported electrical installations and modern domestic ones are equipped with hex head bolts. To work with them you will need a special kit.
Tip pressing tool
A number of electrical installation jobs involve the need to put on and fix special lugs on a cable or wire.
The lugs can be used for safe joining of copper and aluminum parts of conductive elements. They are needed for convenient and reliable connection of a flexible cable or large-section wires. Fixation of all types of these tips is carried out using crimping. For these works, presses of varying power are used.
Press for crimping stranded wires with a cross-section from 0.5 to 6 mm 2
At home, it is not always possible to take or buy the necessary crimping tool. Straight lugs for thin stranded wire can be crimped using heavy-duty pliers, which squeeze the wire and lug until a flat surface is obtained. Heavy-duty screw ends can be crimped using a rounded chisel and hammer. The blow with a chisel should fall exactly in the middle of the tip, but not cut it, but press it inward, ensuring compression of the wires inside.
Soldering tool
One of the common types of connecting copper conductors is soldering them using tin solders. For these purposes, the wire is heated to the melting temperature of tin, and a tin coating is applied to it using special fluxes.
Soldering can be done using electric soldering irons of varying power, in crucible furnaces, using kerosene blowing lamps and even special soldering stations. The choice of soldering tool is made taking into account the size of the parts to be soldered and the required accuracy. For most household needs, a 60 W soldering iron is sufficient.
Fine soldering is performed using soldering irons with a power of 25 W; for particularly precise and complex work, soldering stations are used.
Using crucible furnaces and blowtorches, thick copper bars are soldered and tinning (coating with a thin layer of tin) of workpieces is carried out.
Autonomous light sources
Since most electrical installation and repair work is carried out after a power outage, one of the important auxiliary tools for an electrician is a flashlight powered by batteries or rechargeable batteries.
During installation work, it is most convenient to use LED headlamps, since they allow you to effectively illuminate the work area and do not occupy the installer’s hands.
Additional power tools
Electrical installation work often involves the need to install and fasten various boxes, sockets, and switches. An electrician may need to do hidden wiring along existing flat walls, etc.
For these purposes, electric drills, hammer drills, grinders and wall chasers are used. The set of necessary tools is formed depending on the task at hand.
The composition of an electrician's kit varies greatly depending on the complexity of the work. When purchasing all its main components, you should not skimp on quality, because there is a lot of work ahead. But the purchase of specialized tools or various sets must be approached carefully and carefully, because their cost is high, but the need for use may be minimal. You should not immediately spend money on special shoes, workwear and dielectric gloves. Gloves can easily be pierced and cause electric shock; any shoes will do, as long as the soles are rubber and without nails. Clothes should also not contain a large amount of metal. The main thing in the work of an electrician is caution and attentiveness, and the cost and quantity of tools does not affect this.
Hand tools should be available to all people who perform electrical work, regardless of whether they are professional electricians or carry out related activities at home.
This type includes the following tools and materials:
- Indicator screwdriver. It is not intended to perform the functions of the classical version of this instrument; its main task is to determine the phase.
- Set of screwdrivers of different sizes and with different shapes of the working surface, but all tools must be of the dielectric variety, that is, have an insulated handle that protects from
- Ticks, designed for removing the insulating layer from conductors. They are the main assistant if you plan to carry out a large number of electrical installation works, since they can significantly save time on stripping wires.
- Ticks, intended for crimping twisted pair cables, will be required for crimping cable cores if low-current wiring is being installed.
- Tape measure with strong ruler, which does not make unnecessary bends during the unwinding process.
- Files and needle files different shapes, the handles must be insulated.
- Chisels, differing in the dimensions of the working surface, will be required for electrical work in wooden houses.
- Hammer in a set of electricians there can be one and a universal one, but it is best to have options with different striker weights.
- Chisel necessary to perform the functions of a hammer drill, if the dimensions of the tool do not allow its use, or a high level of accuracy is required.
- Knife, designed specifically for stripping insulation from conductors, has a special blade structure to make it easier to use for this process.
- Regular utility knife with insulated handle.
- Pliers different types, the set must include each option: side cutters, round nose pliers and pliers.
- Hacksaw for metal work, may be required when cutting large types of cable with a significant diameter.
- Calipers useful if you need to determine the diameter of the conductor.
- Sledgehammer for making holes or driving pins included in the design of grounding devices.
- Set of keys necessary in situations where it is necessary to connect conductors in a switchboard using bolts and nuts.
- Marker with bright paint for marking.
- Laser level to indicate smooth, straight horizontal and vertical lines.
- Multi-colored insulating tape, which is required in virtually all types of electrical installations.
Toolbox overview
Today you can buy ready-made sets of tools necessary for an electrician. They differ in configuration, purpose and quality, so they are in different price ranges.
For clarity, several different sets of this type were considered:
Electrician's kit "Metalist No. 5"
Contains a minimum of items for carrying out electrical work at home. In total, it includes 12 tools, including screwdrivers, pliers, wire cutters, voltage indicators, wrenches, knives, hammer and tweezers. All equipment is stored in a special case for easy storage and transportation.
The price is 2000 – 2300 rubles.
Cablexpert TK-ELEC set
Also contains tools for electrical installation and soldering work at home, but its content was increased to 63 items, placed in a special case.
The approximate cost is 3000 – 3500 rubles.
Set KVT NII-04 612
Contains only 7 basic tools, but they are equipped with reliable insulation for safe electrical work. High-quality chrome-plated steel was used in production, which allows you to use the set even in the most extreme temperature conditions.
The price is 11,000 rubles.
Jensen JTK-67C Kit (JTK-13414)
Designed for professional electricians, ideal for carrying out all types of electrical work and high-quality maintenance of all types of electromechanical and electronic equipment. The composition included 98 tools that allow these processes to be carried out.
The approximate cost of the set is 85,000 rubles.
Basic Tools
The most necessary tools that any electrician should have:
- Tester or multimeter, since determining the current in the network may be required when carrying out any types of electrical work.
- Dielectric screwdrivers in stock, being the most important tool that may be required at any given time.
- Pliers so that multiple conductors can be cut or twisted.
- Knife for stripping conductors and their subsequent connection.
- Insulating tape.
- Soldering machine and all the necessary soldering equipment.
All other devices that will be shown below are auxiliary and are designed to be ready for anything.
Measuring instruments
Measuring instruments- This is another important component of any electrician’s equipment, since without them it is impossible to carry out most types of work.
It is important to have the following types of devices:
Universal multimeter
Which combines several devices at once and is a multifunctional device. The number of tasks it performs depends on the specific model chosen. There are varieties designed specifically for professional electricians; they allow you to quickly and accurately determine parameters such as resistance, capacitance and inductance within an electrical circuit.
Current clamps
Designed to determine the parameters of the electric current that flows through the cable. The main advantage is the fact that the device performs this task without direct contact with the conductive area and does not require breaking the circuit.
In addition, it contains probes in its design that allow you to determine the level of both direct and alternating voltage and resistance in the circuit. An ammeter can also perform the functions of a current clamp, but they are a more modern type of measuring equipment.
Megger
Necessary for determining the quality of insulation in a circuit. Its design includes a dynamo to generate a potential equal to 500 V, 1000 V or 2500 V; when measuring the leakage current, the device will show the circuit resistance.
Wattmeter
Helps determine the power of electric current or the parameters of electromagnetic signals. There are optical, low frequency and radio frequency varieties.
Multimeter
Performs all functions of an ohmmeter, but sometimes it is necessary to have this device separately; it is designed to measure electrical active resistance.
Voltmeter
Designed to determine the level of voltage or electromotive force within an electrical circuit.
Power tools
For many electrical installation jobs, it is not enough to have ordinary hand tools and measuring instruments; a number of tasks may also require power tools:
Hammer
Is the most important power tool in any electrician's toolbox., this is due to ease of use and versatility. With its help, you can practice any type of drilling and use this tool regardless of the material of which the surface is made.
The modern market offers a wide range of rotary hammer models; there are household and professional types. Among other things, you can use it to beat off plaster, prepare cement mortars and perform other tasks.
Impact drill
In some cases it can replace a hammer drill, but it is a less functional power tool, since it has less power and does not have a number of operating modes.
In some cases it can perform the functions of a screwdriver. It is not recommended to use an impact drill for a long time without breaks, as this may adversely affect its quality.
Screwdriver or cordless drill
Designed for minor drilling and quick tightening of screws. To perform each function there is an individual speed mode.
Angle grinder
This is a device that is known to most as an angle grinder. It can perform a number of different functions: grinding surfaces, sawing stone or metal objects.
It is a special type of power tool, which in its design is close to an angle grinder. The main working element is a cutter or several diamond discs installed parallel to each other.
During operation, it produces a lot of construction dust, for this reason it has a special outlet that is connected to the vacuum cleaner through a hose. It is not actually used for domestic purposes; the tool is more in demand at industrial facilities when carrying out professional activities.
Auxiliary Tools
In order to be prepared for anything and have the most complete inventory of necessary tools, it can be further expanded to include the following devices:
- Extended set of drills and bits, intended for a rotary hammer. Their presence significantly increases the list of capabilities and functionality of this power tool.
- Wiring belt, a special bag and pouch for a hammer drill or screwdriver are not tools in their essence, but at the same time they perform important functions when transporting or storing electrical equipment. No professional electrician can do without these elements, since the presence of a large number of tools can make it difficult to find them, and special storage devices allow you to systematize this process.
- Hex bit, which is a special type of working attachments used in conjunction with a screwdriver when working with hex screws. Electricians do not use this device very often, but in some cases it may be useful to them.
- Concrete drills, which are fundamentally different from drills designed for wood and metal surfaces. The design is designed in such a way that the device is not clamped into a drill, but is inserted into a hammer drill. Such drills have several longitudinal grooves with a symmetrical arrangement, this makes it possible to crush stone or concrete surfaces using an impact mechanism.
- Concrete bits with diamond teeth will be necessary for installing a socket in concrete surfaces.
- Crowns for ceramics with a diamond tip and the same shavings around the perimeter of the ring. Devices are necessary for working with the tiled surface to avoid unwanted chips on it.
- Attachment mixer, necessary for the preparation of special mixtures that are required during installation or distributors.
- Set of socket heads of different sizes, these devices can help when installing electrical networks in low-access areas.
- Headlamp to illuminate the work site.
- Set of tweezers different sizes to capture the smallest parts.
Electrician's clothing
Having all the necessary tools for a professional electrician is not enough; he must also have special clothing: overalls, protective gloves and shoes.
If we consider this issue in more detail, then the following items of clothing should be present in the specialist’s wardrobe:
- Overalls and overalls usually made of dense cotton material, since they should not only perform protective functions, but also be comfortable and not hinder movement during work.
- Helmet made of durable polycarbonate necessary when carrying out electrical installation work in particularly difficult and extreme conditions.
- Dielectric gloves There are several varieties, usually those that can withstand operating voltages up to 1000 V are used. When carrying out more complex and dangerous work, gloves that can withstand above 1000 V are used.
- Shoes for electricians made from genuine leather or rubber material, it does not contain any metal elements, since they are good conductors. For processing seams, exclusively heat-resistant types of threads are used, and inserts made of polycarbonate are used as fastening parts. If for some reason special shoes are not available, then ordinary rubber boots can replace them.
When carrying out electrical installation work in winter, it is recommended to wear thermal underwear or additional sets made of fiber and polyester under the workwear. They not only protect from the effects of cold, but also add comfort with their softness.
Electrical work, as well as laying electrical networks, cannot be performed without the proper tools, so each electrician has his own set of tools and accessories.
And sometimes a good electrical specialist has a set of tools that is not inferior in quantity to the tools of the same car mechanic.
Tool types
An electrician's tools can be divided into main and auxiliary.
Also, tools can be divided by type of use: electrical - the electrician uses them to check networks, connect wires, install electrical devices, and installation - with the help of which the electrical network is laid and installed.
An electrician does not have many electrical tools and partings, but they should always be at hand.
Often, for this, electricians use special belts with pockets for tools.
This kit includes:
- Knives;
- Screwdriver set;
- Pliers, pliers, wire cutters, stripper;
- Measuring instruments (multimeter, current clamp);
- Insulating materials.
When laying networks, as well as installing electrical equipment, in addition to the specified tools, an electrician may additionally need:
- Hammer with attachments (drills, crowns);
- Screwdriver;
- Wall chaser;
- Press key;
- Hammer;
- Electrical level, tape measure;
- Set of open-end and spanner wrenches;
- Tools for specific work conditions.
And these are just the tools and equipment that an electrician may need, but there are also consumables.
But for now we are only interested in tools and devices, as well as what they do.
Knives
So, a good electrician has several types of knives in his belt pockets. The first is a regular folding knife. It is used for various purposes - trimming, stripping, etc.
The main one is an electrical knife with a special blade shape.
In addition to its shape, its blade is sharpened on both sides, which allows you to strip wires in two directions - toward you and away from you.
Some types of electrical knives have a special heel at the end of the blade.
This knife allows you to cut the lumbar insulation of the wire without possible damage to the internal insulation of the wires.
The third type of knife that an electrician may have is a regular construction knife with replaceable blades. It can be used like a regular folding knife.
Screwdrivers
One of the main tools of an electrician is a screwdriver. Every specialist has several types of screwdrivers, but they are all specialized electrical ones.
Their peculiarity lies in improved protection. Typically, such screwdrivers have a tip covered with a non-conductive material on top; only the tip of the screwdriver is exposed.
A Phillips and flat head screwdriver is required. The best option is to have several screwdrivers with different sizes.
Electricians also use indicator screwdrivers, which, in addition to the ability to tighten and unscrew bolts, also allow you to check the presence of voltage in the wiring before starting work.
A simple indicator screwdriver is equipped with a diode light. When you touch the wire with the tip of a screwdriver, if there is voltage in it, the light bulb will light up.
Indicator screwdrivers with a display are more complex. In addition to detecting the presence of voltage in the wires, this screwdriver also displays the voltage voltage.
Often the jaws of the pliers have sharpened blades for cutting the wire, but few people use them, since the quality of cutting the cable with the pliers is low, and the edge of the wire turns out to be somewhat compressed.
It is better to use wire cutters to cut the wire. Their blades have a specific shape, which allows you to make a high-quality cut without compressing the edges of the cable.
A stripper is a special tool that allows you to quickly and efficiently remove insulation from wires without damaging the wiring cores.
Its use makes it possible to carry out installation work much faster.
Measuring instruments
The presence of measuring instruments is also important. The appearance made life much easier for electricians.
It is enough to have only this device to make all the necessary measurements.
But all the measurements can be performed only by connecting a multimeter to the stripped wires, which is not always convenient.
Current clamps allow you to measure the current without the need to break the wiring for connection.
It is enough to place the wire in the pliers for this device to show the current strength. Based on this, it turns out that an electrician needs both of these devices.
There are also combined instruments that include both a multimeter and a current clamp.
Insulation materials
The presence of insulating materials is mandatory. Electricians use two types of such material - electrical tape and heat shrink.
Both of these types allow you to insulate the connection points to prevent a person from touching exposed live wires.
Insulating tapes can be made of fabric (cotton, lavsan), impregnated with a special insulating glue, or polyethylene, with an adhesive surface.
Heat shrinks are tubes made of insulating material of different diameters, which, when exposed to high temperatures, shrink and adhere to the joint surface.
Tools required for installation work
Let's move on to the tool that an electrician will need to install and.
So, a hammer drill with drills allows you to make holes in the walls of a building for pulling wires.
The same device, but with crowns, makes recesses in the walls for installing sockets, switches, and junction boxes.
A screwdriver will be needed to quickly tighten all kinds of screws during installation work, for example, to secure tunnels into which wiring will be laid. Also, when working at a distance from the source of the industrial network, it is convenient to use special ones.
Using a wall chaser, small recesses are made in the walls for laying wiring in them - grooves.
Without this device, an electrician will have to make grooves either with a hammer drill or an angle grinder with a diamond wheel, which is very inconvenient and labor-intensive.
A press wrench is used by electricians to compress special copper caps on wire strands. The use of this key allows you to strengthen the connection of twisted wires.
In general, for electrical work at home you may need a wide variety of equipment.
However, without the main tool, it will be almost impossible for a specialist to perform the required work efficiently.
Electricity is not safe for humans. It can cause significant harm to health. A sufficiently strong current can take a life. Therefore, precautions must be taken in full.
Electrician's tools have special protection. It is unacceptable to use low-quality damaged equipment. You should find out in more detail what equipment an electrician will need in his work and what his tool should look like.
Minimum Required
The minimum tools required for an electrician's work include screwdrivers, pliers, insulation strippers, wire cutters, as well as measuring equipment, a knife, a tape measure and a marker.
Screwdrivers are indispensable in work. They can be flat, cross, or indicator. The main thing is that such electrician tools (photo below) have protection from
In fact, only the tip in contact with the wiring elements should be exposed.
The wires should be twisted with pliers and cut with wire cutters or a knife. Tongs will allow you to remove the insulation. You can measure voltage with a multimeter, voltage indicator or clamp.
This is the basic hand tool that an electrician needs to do his job. Auxiliary elements that will also come in handy include a knife, tape measure and marker.
Additional tools
The electrician's kit includes an additional tool that allows you to perform the necessary actions (photo below).
A professional worker cannot do without it. This is electrical equipment (hammer, wall chaser, screwdriver), as well as a hammer.
A hammer drill, using special attachments, will allow you to drill holes for sockets, and can also be used to perform many other operations.
Electrician's tools must include a wall chaser. When installing hidden wiring, it is difficult to replace it with something.
It is also sometimes necessary to tighten various fasteners, drill holes, etc. To do this, you will need a screwdriver. However, in order not to carry a lot with you, you need to purchase a tool for electrician work, such as a hammer drill with a screwdriver function.
Some pieces of equipment are quite firmly secured with bolts and nuts. A set of wrenches will help here. A hammer is necessary for many operations.
Insulation
To understand the question of what tool a professional electrician should have in his work, you should look at all the options for the operations he performs. There are quite a lot of them.
An electrician's tool must include contact insulation. Today there are many options for such materials.
Electrical tape can be plain or colored. It can serve as a marking.
But there is another type of isolation. It looks like a tube of different diameters and colors. They are called heat shrink. Under the influence of temperature, the material contracts and tightly insulates the contact.
This can significantly reduce time costs, especially when performing tasks over a large area. Insulation is necessary for even the simplest operations.
Measuring instruments
The electrician's measuring tool deserves special attention. There are a large number of similar devices. Their choice depends on the actions that the master performs in his activity.
The indicator screwdriver is the simplest of these tools. It's inexpensive. Allows you to determine the presence of phase and neutral wiring.
To perform a complete measurement of voltage and resistance of electrical appliances, you need to purchase a multimeter. For example, when installing an electric heated floor system into a screed, the technician must measure the wire resistance before and after installation. Comparing it with the indicator declared by the manufacturer, they conclude that the installation was correct.
Sensors for searching wiring are also needed by a professional electrician. But only in case of frequent repairs of hidden wiring. The cost of the sensor is high, so they are purchased only by those craftsmen who absolutely need them.
Equipment for special occasions
Depending on the conditions in which the master sometimes has to work, the necessary tool for the electrician is selected. If the walls of the house are wooden, you will have to use a carpenter's set and chisels.
To avoid problems connecting the power tool, you should use your own carrier. Sometimes there is a considerable distance to the possible power supply point. The electrician must be prepared for such situations. There is, of course, battery-electric technology. But sometimes its power is not enough to carry out long-term work.
Before leaving for the site, the master must find out what work conditions the customer has. simply necessary.
Factory kits
Assembling electrician's hand tools and measuring instruments yourself will be a good solution to the problem. But there is another approach. There are a large number of ready-made factory kits on sale.
Manufacturers complete them taking into account the type of activity of the master. The set includes some tools for professionals, and others for amateurs. The total number of items included in their composition also differs. The cost of the set depends on this.
The most popular kits for electricians today are:
- “Stock” (4500 rub.).
- “Master” (4300 rub.).
- “SATA” (4000 rub.).
- "NEU" (5000 rub.).
- "CIMCO" (9000 rub.).
Kits for home use are considered cheaper. Expensive kits are intended for professionals.
Kits for home use
In order for a novice master to understand what kind of tool an electrician should have, he should initially pay attention to the factory sets “Master”, “Stock”, “NEU”, SATA.
The “Stem” set includes 13 or 16 items (the difference is in the number of screwdrivers and the type of indicator). The universal electrician's set "NEU-M" contains 37 tools. Together with the previous version, they can be classified as semi-professional products. In addition to indicators, they have a device for removing insulation.
The SATA electrician's set has 27 items, and the "Master" has 23 tools. They do not have wire strippers. This set is completely suitable for home use. If necessary, each set can be supplemented with items necessary for the master’s work.
Professional kits
The CIMCO professional set (23 tools) is recognized by users as quite expensive, but of high quality. Its country of origin is Germany. The set includes powerful side cutters, as well as their electronic variety. This technique even makes it possible to carry out fine repairs.
By using professional electrician tools you can significantly expand your capabilities. And the quality of each element, according to experts, is very high. This guarantees the durability of the set. Therefore, the price of such products is much higher.
For infrequent home use, it is not worth spending a lot of money. In this case, simpler sets are suitable. The most important thing is that all its elements have the appropriate protection class and are free from defects and damage. After all, electricity does not forgive mistakes.
Before using the kit in your activities, you must ensure that all labor safety rules are met and that you have all the means of protection against electric shock.
When performing such specific work as electrical installation, it is impossible to do without a whole set of special tools. Moreover, they must be in perfect order, since the speed and quality of installation work depends on them, as well as, to a large extent, the safety of the electrician himself.
Main types of equipment for electrical installation work
The offer of a wide variety of electrical installation tools is so large that each person can easily assemble the necessary set for themselves, based on their own preferences and needs.
- All electrical installation equipment is divided into:
- measuring instruments;
- hand tools;
- electric tool;
- auxiliary devices and consumables.
Measuring instruments
They are absolutely necessary in order to protect yourself and others from electric shock. Before starting work after turning off the automatic circuit, it is necessary to check the absence of voltage in the disconnected network using special instruments. 
- These include:
- Tester for the presence or absence of a phase in a 220 V (50 Hz) network. This is an inexpensive tool with which you can find the phase and check the presence of voltage in the network. It is usually made in the form of a screwdriver, but you should not use it for this purpose, since the body of the device is fragile and can break;
- A more informative device is a universal multimeter, which allows you not only to determine the presence of voltage in the network, but also to diagnose faults or check. When choosing a device, you need to pay special attention to the quality of the probes (they should be elastic, soft and easily withstand bending), as well as to the quality of the case (it is advisable to have a rubber cover on it). The multimeter must be able to measure AC and DC voltage and resistance.
- Current clamps - allow you to measure current without direct contact with live parts, connecting without breaking the circuit. The presence of additional probes makes it possible to also measure AC and DC voltage and circuit resistance.
Electrician hand tools
- Hand tools are well known, as they are found in almost every home:
- pliers (round nose pliers, wire cutters);
- screwdriver set;
- knife (universal or mounting);
- chisel (punch, scarpel) - for chiseling stone surfaces and making holes in them;
- hammer;
- set of wrenches;
- tape measure 7 - 10 m long.
- For anyone who intends to not only repair the wiring themselves, but also install it, it’s also a good idea to have:
- pliers for crimping tips;
- sledgehammer, bolt;
- files;
- cable cutter;
- insulation stripping tool (stripper).
They are a universal electrician's tool. They will help you remove insulation from wires, cut through a wire or even a thin cable. With their help, you can tighten or unwind the bot connection if you don’t have a key at hand. Therefore, you should not skimp on the quality of pliers.
Round nose pliers and thin nose pliers will greatly facilitate cable handling and simplify installation of solid wires to screw terminals. It is important that they are made of durable metal and have handles made of high-quality plastic.
Screwdrivers. In the set it is advisable to have straight and Phillips screwdrivers of various sizes (one powerful short, and the other with a long tip for working in hard-to-reach places). When purchasing, it is better to give preference to a tool whose handles are marked “1000V”. Then it can be used even under . The blade of such screwdrivers is usually also covered with plastic. 
Wrenches– since they are completely made of metal, they can only be used after the tension has been removed. Instead of having a set of different wrenches, it is sometimes convenient to have one adjustable wrench.
It is also a good idea to have a socket wrench with a set of heads in your arsenal, since in some places the bolt heads and nuts must be recessed.
Hex keys The kit will also not be superfluous, since many modern electrical installations are equipped with hex head bolts.
Electric soldering iron will be needed where it is necessary to solder copper conductors. For home use, a 60 W soldering iron is sufficient.
Crimping pliers allow you to press the twisted pair cores into the tip.
Stripper– allows you to quickly remove insulation from wires of various diameters.
Power tools
When carrying out electrical installation work, it is often necessary to carry out hidden wiring in existing walls, install and secure various switches and boxes. For these purposes, hammer drills, electric drills, and grinders are used.
A good hammer drill, equipped with an adapter chuck and a variety of attachments, becomes a universal tool.
Bulgarian used for cutting grooves for cables, for cutting the corners of grounding conductors to size.Also, when doing electrical installations, you often have to use an electric drill, which can not only drill holes, but also be used as a drill.
Accessories and consumables
- They are not mandatory, but greatly facilitate the work.
- These include:
- carrying, which is difficult to do without;
- step ladder;
- an autonomous light source (after all, most electrical work is carried out with the power turned off) - this can be a flashlight powered by a battery or batteries. Flashlights that fit on the head and leave the installer’s hands free are very convenient;
- calipers for measuring the diameter of conductors;
- construction pencils and markers for marking wiring and installation locations for devices;
- for punching straight lines.
Consumables include insulating tape, which is impossible to do without during electrical installation. It is better to have both PVC and cotton tape. It is often used for other purposes. For example, in order to mark the ends when disconnecting the cable, it is therefore advisable to have a tape of phase colors - red (phase C), yellow (phase A), green (phase B).
Ultimately, the set of tools is formed depending on the volume and complexity of the work.
Some safety rules for work
- When starting work, the first thing you need to do is turn off the power to everything!
- Tools with insulated handles are not always at hand. If this happens, then do not take risks - wrap the handles of the tool, including the ends, with 2-3 layers of electrical tape so that not a single bare part remains.
- To avoid pinching your fingers when working with pliers, grip the tool without putting your fingers between the handles.
- These rules seem elementary, but they are the ones that are most often violated and lead to injuries.
- Do not put your hand under the screwdriver - it may come off the screw and injure you.
- For screws of different sizes, use the appropriate screwdrivers, otherwise you may damage both the screw and the screwdriver.
- When stripping a wire, do not hold the wire on your finger - you can prick your finger with metal shavings or cut your hand.
- When working with it, do not touch its working part with your bare hands. Make sure that the soldering iron does not overheat - this will affect the quality of the soldering and the tool itself.
- When working with power tools, you must follow the safety precautions common to energized equipment.