The Best Electrician Tools for Your Belt & Business
November 8, 2023 | Read: 9 minutes
When it comes to being a successful electrician, having the right tools is essential.
Whether you’re a master electrician or just starting in the field, being well-equipped can make all the difference.
In this guide, we’ll explore the importance of having the right electrical tools to support your growing electrical business. From the tools you need for every job, the safety gear required to protect yourself, to advanced tools required for bigger electrical jobs: we’ll explore the best of them all.
Importance of Having the Right Electrical Tools
The importance of having the right electrical tools cannot be overstated and quality tools will lead to three main results:
- They’ll make jobs easier to complete and improve efficiency.
- Properly functioning tools will reduce the risk of accidents and help ensure that electrical installations meet all government regulations and codes.
- Having the right tools can improve your work, which will impact your reputation and reliability, leading to more satisfied customers and repeat business.
Electrical Tools for Doing Your Job
To excel in the electrical trade, you need a diverse range of hand tools that serve various purposes. These electrical tools may sound basic, but they’re essential and should be a part of every electrician’s toolkit.
• Multimeter
A multimeter should be considered the Swiss Army knife of electrical tools. It measures voltage, current, and resistance, making it indispensable for troubleshooting electrical circuits, diagnosing issues, and ensuring that systems are functioning properly.
• Voltage Tester
Voltage testers help you determine if a circuit is live or inactive, a critical safety precaution when on site. They come in various forms, including non-contact voltage testers and voltage detectors, ensuring you can safely identify live circuits.
• Pliers (Including Needle-Nose Pliers)
Pliers are versatile tools used for gripping, cutting, and bending wires. Needle-nose pliers, in particular, come in handy for working in tight spaces and handling small electrical components with precision.
• Wire Strippers and Cutters
Wire strippers are used to remove the insulation from wires to make clean and secure connections. They come in various sizes to accommodate different wire sizes.
Wire cutters are designed for cleanly cutting wires and cable ties. Having sharp and precise cutters ensures that you can make clean and safe connections.
• Screwdrivers
A set of quality screwdrivers, including flathead and Phillips-head varieties, is a must for electrical work. They are used for fastening and unfastening screws in switches, outlets, and electrical panels.
• Tape Measure
“Measure twice, cut once”. It’s a common saying, but accurate measurements are a must and crucial to any electrical installation.
A sturdy tape measure will ensure that you cut wires, conduits, and other materials to the right lengths, every time.
• Circuit Tester
Circuit testers help you identify faulty circuits and trace wiring problems quickly. They come in handy when you need to locate breaks or shorts in wiring.
• Utility Knife
A utility knife is indispensable for cutting through insulation or even just opening boxes. It’s a versatile tool that no electrician should be without.
• Nut Drivers
Nut drivers are used for tightening and loosening nuts on electrical connectors and fittings. They come in various sizes to accommodate different sizes.
• Adjustable Wrench
An adjustable wrench is a tool for turning nuts, bolts, and other fasteners. Its adjustable jaw width makes it suitable for a wide range of applications.
• Flashlight
A reliable flashlight is essential for working in dark or poorly lit areas, such as attics and crawl spaces. It’s a safety tool that helps you see potential hazards.
• Fish & Electrical Tape
Fish tape is used for pulling wires through conduits and tight spaces, while electrical tape is crucial for insulating and securing wire connections.
• Hammer and Cordless Drill
A hammer is handy for securing electrical boxes and other fixtures that need to stay in place. A cordless drill with the appropriate bits and attachments speeds up tasks like drilling holes and driving screws, making your work more efficient.
• Marking Pen
A marking pen allows you to label wires, components, and panels, ensuring clarity and organization in your electrical installations.
Tip: Carry a few backups with you; after all, who hasn’t had pens disappear into thin air?
Electrical Tools to Keep You Safe
Ensuring the safety of your team should always be a top priority. No employee should ever feel unsafe because you have outdated, old, or missing equipment.
As well as loss of life on the extreme end, a lack of safety tools can damage your business’s reputation and, if an accident does occur on-site, your business could be at risk of a costly lawsuit, too..
Simply put: you must provide staff with the proper electrical safety tools to do their work.
Here are some safety tools and equipment you must have:
• Hard Hat
Even if your technicians aren’t working on a construction or industrial site, it’s still a good practice for them to carry one around with them in the van at all times. They could end up in tight spaces and it’s important to always keep their heads safe.
• Gloves
Insulated and shock-resistant gloves are essential for protecting your hands from electrical shocks and burns when in the field.
• Safety Glasses
Safety glasses shield your eyes from debris, sparks, and chemicals, safeguarding your vision when on the job site.
• Fire Extinguisher
Having a fire extinguisher nearby can be a lifesaver in case of electrical fires or other emergencies. Damaging property can quickly eat up any revenue you’ve made from that job.
• Personal Protective Gear (PPE)
Wearing the appropriate personal protective gear, such as flame-resistant clothing and hearing protection is crucial for staying safe.
Tools for More Advanced Electricians
For experienced or master electricians, some advanced tools can be used to broaden the scope of their work or complete more jobs per day. They might not be necessary to complete every work order, but they are a great investment if you plan on consistently expanding operations.
• Clamp Meter
A clamp meter measures the electrical current in a wire without the need to disconnect it, making it ideal for troubleshooting.
• Reciprocating and Circular Saws
A reciprocating saw is a powerful cutting tool that can quickly cut through conduit, metal, and other materials. A circular saw is useful for cutting straight lines in plywood, lumber, and other construction materials.
• Crimping Tool
Crimping tools are needed for creating secure electrical connections, such as crimping connectors onto wires.
• Lockout/Tagout Kit
A lockout/tagout kit helps prevent accidental equipment start-up during maintenance or repairs.
Tools to Grow and Manage Your Electrical Business
Having the right set of physical tools will help your technicians complete their work properly, but if you’re looking to manage a growing business, you’ll need to pair them with digital tools to streamline operations and boost efficiency.
• Field Service Management Software
The field service management software you use should be versatile and have the features you need to be successful. For instance, it should help you schedule appointments, track job progress, and manage your field technicians from anywhere at any time.
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software
Manually keeping track of a growing client base is a one-way ticket to getting disorganized, potentially causing clients to seek out your competitors. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software will allow you to maintain client information, track interactions, and nurture customer journeys for repeat business.
• Electrical Sales Software
Electrical sales software is specifically tailored to streamline the sales process for electrical businesses. It facilitates the creation of accurate quotes or estimates for potential clients, simplifies the invoicing process, and can even help you manage your sales KPIs.
Sales software also provides valuable insights into sales trends, allowing you to make informed decisions that optimize your sales strategies and improve overall business performance.
• Estimating and Quoting Software
This software helps electrical businesses assess the scope of work, calculate material and labor costs, and generate precise project estimates. It allows you to create customizable proposals that reflect the specific needs of your clients, leading to improved transparency and trust.
With estimating and quoting software, you can streamline the bidding process and increase the accuracy of your estimates, contributing to higher client satisfaction and profitability.
• Project Management Software
Project management software is a powerful tool that enables efficient planning, coordination, and monitoring of work orders from start to finish. It helps businesses organize tasks, allocate resources, set timelines, and track project progress in real time.
With project management software, you can create comprehensive schedules, assign tasks to team members, and identify potential bottlenecks, and increase communication from your team in the field.
• Inventory Management Software
Inventory management software is needed for maintaining optimal levels of components and supplies. It helps electrical companies keep track of available parts and maintain optimal levels of stock, ensuring that you have the right materials on hand to fulfill client orders promptly and efficiently.
• Safety and Custom Forms
Safety forms are necessary for compliance with safety regulations and help maintain a safe working environment for your employees. These forms help conduct comprehensive safety inspections, document safety procedures, and identify potential hazards in the workplace.
With digital safety forms, you can streamline the process of reporting incidents, stay compliant with regulations, and implement corrective measures when required.
• Customer Self-Service Portals
A customer self-service portal provides clients with a convenient platform to access information, request services, and view their account details without the help of your office or admins.
By implementing a customer self-service portal, you can enhance customer satisfaction, reduce the workload on your support team, and empower your clients to engage with your services more efficiently, fostering stronger customer relationships and loyalty through ease of access.
Adopt the Tools You Need to Be More Successful
In the dynamic field of electrical work, having the right tools and electrician software can make all the difference.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your electrical business, investing in the right tools and technology will not only enhance your capabilities but also improve your safety and efficiency.
Stay up-to-date with industry advancements, and don’t hesitate to adopt the tools and equipment that will help you excel in your electrical career and business endeavors.
