Building a great toolkit is a huge investment for any tradesman. You need high-quality, powerful tools that you can rely on to do the hard work. While it may seem like a big change and a big commitment, spending a little extra on the right tools will help you become a great electrician.

 

Our top 10 best tools for electricians:

1. Voltage tester

2. Wrench

3. Hacksaw

4. Electrical tape

5. Cable cutter

6. Insulation screwdriver

7. Wire stripping pliers

8. Insulation pliers

9. Safety Knife

10. Circuit finder

 

Best Tools For Electricians

 

1. Voltage tester

 

A voltage tester ensures that your equipment is working properly and checks that it is safe to work on the circuit. Health and safety regulations require electricians to check for the presence of voltage before handling switches, cables, junction boxes or other areas where current may be present. The tool will light up when there is a current - indicating that you need to turn it off.  

With 50-1000 volts AC, CAT IV 1000 safety compliance and a two-year warranty, the Klein NCVT-1 non-contact voltage tester is the most reliable and safe choice. Klein is a very popular brand of safe power tools at an affordable price compared to other brands. 

 

 

2. Wrenches

 

Wrenches are one of the most useful and versatile tools on this list. Electrical work involving loosening or tightening nuts and bolts is common, but it can also be used as a clamp, a handle, or even a lever in a pinch. 

If you don't want to spend too much money on a kit just yet, the RS Pro Adjustable Wrench is a safe choice. It's versatile, sturdy and affordable.

 

3. Hacksaw

 

A good hacksaw is a must for any electrician - a manual small-tooth saw with an adjustable frame and handle that cuts through metal conduit.

We like the Lenox High Tension Hacksaw 12-inch, which features I-beam construction and can withstand up to 50,000 psi of tension - in other words, it's strong enough to handle those intense jobs!

 

4. Electrical tape

 

Electrical tape is used to insulate wires and is a must-have for cable management. It comes in a variety of colors, each with a different purpose. Black is used for insulation, red for low voltage, orange for high voltage, and so on. While black is the most common color, it's great to have a full rainbow of colors for your kit. 

We recommend making sure the electrical tape is RoHS-compliant, waterproof, heat-resistant, self adhesive, and flame retardant. advance Tapes ATV Assorted meets all of these requirements.

 

5. Cable Cutter

 

Cable cutters not only cut cables, they can also bend, hold, twist or strip thin gauge wire with great precision. 

It is best to use a fully insulated cable cutter - it will ensure your safety when handling high-voltage wires. You also need an ergonomic grip for easy handling. These RS PRO 114mm electric cutters from Klein are reliable and built to last. 

 

6. Insulated screwdrivers

 

Insulated screwdrivers come with specially designed plastic handle caps that are thick and non-conductive to protect you from any accidental currents. It also helps protect fragile electrical parts that can be damaged in the event of an electrical short.  

The highest quality insulated screwdrivers are manufactured by Wiha. They have a two-layer construction for extra protection and ease of handling. You will need a variety of sizes, so we recommend purchasing the set Wiha One and Phillips Insulated Screwdriver Set (1000 volts, 13 pieces).

 

7. Wire Strippers

 

Often used in electrical work, wire strippers remove insulation from wires to connect, replace or repair them. 

Our favorite brand is IRWIN VISE-GRIP 2078309 wire stripper because it is a four-in-one product: wire stripper, crimper, wire cutter and pliers. Most wire sizes between 10 and 22 AWG are safe and versatile.

 

8. Insulation pliers

 

You'll find yourself using these a lot. Insulated pliers are versatile and suitable for a variety of tedious electrical tasks, such as tightening wires. Your pliers need to be insulated to ensure your safety, so it's best to invest in a quality brand that's built to last. 

You'll need some size for a variety of tasks, so we recommend a set of tools such as the Industrial Multi-Pliers Set.

 

9. Safety Knife

 

As an electrician, you'll be cutting wires a lot. And because the surface you're cutting is small and easily moved, the potential for blade slippage is high. A safety knife has a small blade, more dexterity to complete this task. 

This Klein Lockback knife ticks all the boxes. 

 

10. Circuit Finder

 

Simply plug the transmitter into any outlet and you can detect circuits through the service panel. Most homes don't have an accurate reading, so this tool saves you some trouble - no guesswork or randomly throwing switches to find the right circuit.

Our top choice for a quick and accurate read is the Klein Circuit Breaker Finder, which always finds the circuit breaker you're looking for.