23 Common Hand Tolls for Electrician, Description and Uses, Care and Maintenance

As for the electrician's kit, the most essential thing for every electrician is that they cannot do without the kit, and the kit is essential to complete the biggest tasks easily and on time. Electrical work cannot be done without the right tools, and some basic tools are essential for every electrician to do their job safely and efficiently. So, we have prepared a short list that they are ‘very essential tools’ that every electrician should have in their tool box.

1. Combination Plier

Combination plier source_Taparia

It is made of steel and its size is given according to its length. It has a cutter for cutting the wires. It is so named because it is used for multi-purpose, such as cutting, twisting of wire sand holding round and flat jobs. They are either insulated or non-insulated. An insulated combination plier is specially used to work on live conductors where it prevents the current from leaking to the human body.

2. Nose plier

Flat and round nose pliers are used for holding works. Flat nose pliers are used for holding flat objects like hexagonal nuts, etc. at places where other pliers unable to reach. Round nose pliers are used for making hooks and loops of thin wire.

3. Long nose plier

Long nose plier source_Taparia

Long nose pliers are used for connecting and disconnecting small wires in narrow spaces. They are also used for tightening and loosening small nuts in narrow places like long holes. They have also a cutter on one side for cutting the thin wires.

4. Side cutting plier/wire stripper

Wire stripper source_Taparia

The side cutting plier has a cutter on its side and it is used for cutting wires and nipping the insulation's from them.  It is generally used in armature winding's, instrument work, radio assembling etc.

Care and maintenance:

• Do not use a plier as a hammer.
• Never cut hard substances like steel wires with it.
• Do not grip hot substances with it.
• Never try to spoil the insulation of an insulated plier.
• Keep the plier safe from rust.
• Lubricate only its moving part after some time.

5. Screw driver

Screw driver source_Taparia

It has three parts, namely the handle, blade and working edge. The handle is either made of wood, plastic or celluloid and the blade is made of hard steel. Its working edge is tempered. Its size is measured from the length of its blade. It is used for tightening and loosening the screws. A screw having a 75mm long working blade is called a terminal  screw drive or connector screw driver and is used for working at small screws of wiring accessories, such as switches, holders, wall sockets etc.,

Care and maintenance:

• A screw drive with a loose handle should not be used.
• The working edge of the blade must correctly fit in the slot of screw heads. 
• Do not hammer the wooden handle of the screw driver.
• Never try to use it as chisel.

6. Electrician’s knife

Electrician knife

It is a tool used for removing the insulation from the wires. It has two folding blades, one for removing the insulation and the other for cleaning the wires. Its size is measured by the length of the cutting blade.

Care and maintenance:

• Do not use it for cutting wires
• Keep it safe from rust.
• Keep it well sharped.

7. Test lamp

Test lamp

A testing holder with a lamp is called a test lamp. It is used for testing the supply.

Care and maintenance:

• Give a knot of wires under the cap of the holder.
• Handle it with great care. Otherwise the lamp can get damage.

8. Hand saw

Hand saw

It has a thin steel blade having 5 to 8 teeth per 25.4mm. Its teeth are tapered towards the handle. It has greater width near the handle than at the point end. It is used for cutting thick wood. The size of the saws are determined by the total length of the blade. 

Care and maintenance:

• Protect it from rust.
• Do not use a saw with a loose handle.
• Keep the teeth well sharpened.
• Always use it straight.
• Apply grease when out of use.
• It should not be used where nails are driven.
• Saw with even strokes. 

9. Hack saw

Hack saw

It is used for cutting conduit pipes, G.I pipes and small pieces of iron. Hacksaws are of two types:1. Fixed hacksaw and 2. Adjustable hacksaw.  In the adjustable hacksaw different length of blades can be fixed. Its main parts are the frame, blade, handle and fly-nut. As the blade is designed to cut on the forward stroke. It should be fixed on the frame with its teeth pointing away from the handle.

Care and maintenance:

• The blade should be tight enough.
• Use a coolant while cutting.
• The teeth of the blade should point away from the handle.
• It should be used straight during cutting, otherwise the blade can get damage.
• Put sufficient pressure on the forward stroke to enable the teeth to cut.
• Lift the saw slightly on the return stroke.
• Do not attempt to saw too fast.

10. Firmer chisel

Firmer chisel source_Taparia

It has a wooden handle and a blade. The blade is made of cast steel of 15cm length and is sharp at the working edge. Its size is measured according to its width which varies from 0.5 to 5 cm. It is used for chipping and scraping unwanted wood.

Care and maintenance:

• Do not use it as screw driver.
• Always strike the firmer chisel with a mallet.
• Grind on a water stone and sharpen on an oil stone.
• Do not use it without a handle.
• Never use it at places where nails are driven.

11. Soldering iron

Soldering iron

It is used for soldering wires to joint segments and small joints with solder. It consist of pointed oval copper bit fixed to an iron rod which is heated by an electric element only.

Care and maintenance:

• Iron must be properly connected to earth.
• Flexible wire should be used.

12. Measuring tape

Measuring tape

It is used for measuring the dimension of the wiring installations. The measuring tape is either made of cloth or thin steel blade bearing dimensions on it.

Care and maintenance:

• Use it great care as a little carelessness can spoil the tape. 

13. Pulley/Puller

Puller source_Taparia

It consist of three adjusting legs, tightening screw and a screwed plate. It is made of mild steel and is used for removing the pulley from the shaft of a machine.

Care and maintenance:

• Lubricate the screw and screwed plate after some interval. 

14. Spanner set- double ended

Spanner double ended  source_Taparia

Spanner sets are used for loosening and tightening nuts and bolts. It is made of cast steel. The size of spanner is indicated so as to fit on the nuts. They are available in many sizes and shapes. They are either single- ended or double- ended.

15. The Adjustable spanner

Adjustable spanner source_Taparia

The adjustable spanner is also known as the monkey wrench and saves time while working. Ring and box spanners are also used at places where nut bolts are in narrow and deep places.

Care and maintenance:

• It should not be loose on the nut and bolt.
• It should not be used as a hammer
•  Never strike the spanner with a hammer, while loosening or tightening the nut and bolts.
• The width of the face should be parallel throughout.
• Care should be taken to have no trace or grease on its jaws. 

16. Wire gauge

Wire gauge

It is a thin circular steel plate having a number of slots on its circumference. Different numbers are allotted to different slots according to their diameter. It is used to find the gauge of winding wires.

Care and maintenance:

• Do not throw it with other tools in the tool kit.
• Protect it from rust and dust.

17. File

File

Files are cutting tools. The body of the files are made of cast steel. Files are having different number of teeth which removes fine chips of material. Files are designed to cut only in the forward stroke. They are available in different lengths, sections, grades and cuts.

Care and maintenance:

• Do not use the file as a hammer.
• Never use a file without a handle.
• Do not throw a file with other tools as its teeth can get spoiled. 

18. Blow lamp

Blow lamp

It is used for soldering cable joints. Kerosene oil is used for producing flames at very high temperature, which melts the solder and thus the joints are soldered.

Care and maintenance:

• While starting for burning, its nozzle should not be kept towards any body.
• Do not give too much air pressure to it during working.

19. Ball peen hammer

Ball peen hammer source_Taparia

There are many kinds of hammers used for different purpose. The ball peen hammer is generally used in electrical trades, whereas the cross peen hammer is best suited for riveting purposes in sheet metal works. The size of the hammer is usually indicated by its weight.

20. Cross peen hammer

Cross peen hammer source_Taparia

The cross peen hammer is best suited for clipping on teak wood and for riveting purposes in sheet metal works.

Care and maintenance:

• The handle must be properly tight.
• Never use it with loose handle.
• There should be no traces of oil or grease on the face of the hammer
• Do not strike hard steel with the hammer as its face can get damage. 

21. Drilling machine

Drilling machine

A drilling machine is a tool used for making holes in metal or wood. Twist drill bits are fitted in it for making holes and have a capacity of holding drill bit up to 10mm.

Care and maintenance:

• Lubricate all the moving parts of the machine.
• The drill bit should be correctly and firmly fixed in the jaws.
• Before drilling, mark the job with a center punch
• If a large hole is to be made, first make a pilot of small size and then a big hole with a correct size drill bit.
• Keep the drill perpendicular to the job.
• The handle should be moved in the reverse direction while taking out the drill bit after drilling.
• Do not use too much pressure on small drill bits.
• Avoid any vibrations and jerk.
• The cable insulation should be sound. 

22. Digital multi-meter

Digital multimeter

A digital multi-meter is a test tool used to measure two or more electrical values, principally voltage, current, and resistance. It is a standard diagnostic tool for technician in the electrical/electronic industries.

Care and maintenance:

• Check battery frequently.
• Do not fold the cable.
• Careful while measuring the voltage, change the option.                                                      

23. Mallet

Mallet source_Taparia

It is made of wood or celluloid. It is used while assembling side covers or electric motor, driving the firmer chisel while working and straightening and bending of thin metallic sheet.

Care and maintenance:

• Never use it on hard metal other than copper, aluminium or tin.
• Never use it on nails for fixing them.