Tools of the Trade

Tools of the Trade

In Lesson 1, you were introduced to the entire Betabox Electrician Foundations and Futures Hands-On Project box. In it, you found the wire strippers, Phillips screwdriver, and the digital multimeter. While these are all the tools needed for this project, there is a wide array of tools used by electrician professionals on a day-to-day basis, below are some commonly used items, but this list is nowhere near all-inclusive.

Tool

Picture

Uses

 Power Drill

The power drill is a versatile tool in the electrician's toolbox. This can be used for affixing junction boxes or, with a spade bit, can create holes in studs to run lengths of cable.

Hand Tools

Like the wire strippers and screwdriver, a good tool can help pull a wire through tight space, loosen a nut, or simply cut and twist heavier gauge wire.

Level

A level, whether a bubble level (shown left) or a laser level is useful to ensure horizontal or vertical runs of conduit or newly installed outlet boxes are straight.

Conduit Bender

A conduit is a type of metal tubing that protects wires and cables. This is used when running the wire in a wall is impossible (like in a concrete basement) or in outdoor locations where the cable could be exposed to the elements.

A conduit bender allows an electrician to make bends in the conduit without crimping or crushing the tube structure.

Stud Finder

Stud finders help locate studs in walls. This allows an electrician to ‘see’ inside the wall so he/she can plan out cable runs. Many stud finders have built-in non-contact voltage detectors. This will alter the electrician if there is a live electrical circuit within the wall too!