As an electrician, you need the right set of tools in your toolkit to do your job accurately and safely. However, finding high-quality electrician supplies is more difficult than ever due to the flooding of substandard products in the market. Using substandard electrical tools can be extremely risky. So it’s advisable to purchase electrician supplies from a licensed dealer.
Below, we’ve put together a list of essential electrician supplies that every electrician should have in their toolkit.
- Pliers
Insulated pliers come in handy for twisting, cutting, bending, and straightening electrical wires. This is one of the most versatile electrician supplies in an electrician’s toolbox as it can be used to perform a wide range of tasks. A reliable pair of pliers should have handles that are easy and comfortable to grip and it should open and close with ease. Pliers come in various designs for different tasks.
Types of pliers
- Long nose pliers—Features thin, grasping ends that makes it easy to reach tight spaces.
- Side-cutting pliers—Used for cutting wires to specific lengths
- Mole grips/ locking pliers – Used for driving screws, wire cutting, pulling nails, and many other uses. They are ideal for use where more torque and added grip is needed.
- Diagonal-cutting pliers –This one is used for cutting and trimming electrical wires in tight areas where larger pliers cannot reach.
- Linesman pliers – This type of pliers is used for twisting and trimming wires.
Pliers are essentially the basic electrician supplies you’ll find in an electrician’s toolbox.
- Screwdrivers
Electricians use screwdrivers for loosening or tightening screws. They are made of steel and come in various sizes and shapes. When buying screwdrivers for electrical work, ensure they are insulated to protect you against electrical shock and arcing.
- Electrical tape
Electrical tape is used to insulate wires and cables which conduct electricity. The best electrical tape for electrical work should be waterproof and have high voltage resistance. Be sure to buy electrical tape from a certified electrician supplies dealer.
- Utility knife
Used for cutting sheathing from cables, cutting electrical tape and drywall, opening boxes, among many other uses.
- Electric drill
Used for drilling different types of holes in metal sheets, concrete walls, and building structures for the passage of electrical wires.
- Voltage tester
This is one of the electrician supplies you’re sure to find in an electrician’s toolbox. It is used to check if there’s current flowing through a wire or conductor.
- Electrical wall chaser
This is a specialized power tool used by electricians to cut narrow grooves and channels when laying electrical cable.
- Multi-meter
Used to measure voltage, current, and resistance in electrical circuits, components, and devices.
- Level
An electrician supplies list isn’t complete without a standard level. This tool ensures installations like switches, wall plates, and outlet covers are placed exactly where they need to be.
- Wire strippers
Wire strippers is used for stripping insulation off of electrical wires and has cutting jaws for trimming the wire ends.
- Cable cutters
Cable cutters are essential electrician supplies used of cutting cables and stripping off insulation from electrical wires. They come in different models for cutting different types of cables. The best cable cutters should have an ergonomic grip for better functionality.
- Spanners
Used for loosening and attaching bolts, nuts and similar fixings. The common spanner models include adjustable spanner which comes with moveable jaw and open-ended spanner with a double C-shaped clamp. The open-ended spanner is designed for use in places with limited space.
So there you have it. These are the must-have electrician supplies for the modern electrician’s toolbox. Most importantly, you must be careful about where you buy electrician supplies because it’s easy to find yourself in the hands of shady sellers.
