One of the most crucial tasks for a beginner electrician is assembling a toolkit with all the necessary tools. And if you do a little research, you may notice that there are a number of budget electrician tools available on the market. But let’s be frank, many of the high-quality tools for electricians are pricey. So it can be a problem for electricians who cannot afford to spend a lot of money considering the nature of their work and budget.
Nevertheless, even if it’s not the expensive Klein Tools wrenches, you can still manage with budget electrician tools in retail shops or in online shopping platforms. You can minimize your expenses with careful budgeting, and the ability to negotiate. But please note that you might not be able to get the 100% efficiency and safety of the costly-quality tools when using the budget electrician tools. You would however be able to meet the primary needs of the job.
The purpose of preparing this list is to gather the best budget electrician tools that an electrician will need. So, if you are curious about budget electrician tools this is the best read! Further, if you are uncertain about what tools you need for your apprentice electrician tools list, why not? This is still the best place for you. No wonder! This article will guide you from basic budget electrical tools to high-tech electrician tools. Continue reading! You will certainly realize everything that you need to know with regard.
What are electrical tools?
Electrical tools are the gadgets that help you to work on electrical systems. These tools allow to perform testing, mounting, repair wiring, fixing electrical equipment or any other work related to the electrical system effectively and efficiently. You must be able to select the correct equipment or tools to do precise electrical work. That will simply maximize the quality of the work.
How much should an apprentice electrician pay for tools?
A wide variety of prices are available for the necessary tools of an apprentice electrician. And we can’t put an exact price on it, because it depends on the choice of the tools and their brands.
As an apprentice electrician or as a person who is willing to become an electrician, it’s not necessary for you to go out and buy all the tools today. But as you grow in experience and abilities, and your work becomes more varied, your needs for the tools will also grow. Besides, there are tools that are specific to each field. Further, as there are several types of electricians out there that provide different services, you will need several tools other than the basic instruments. So make sure to buy the tools related to your field.
What tools do electricians need?
For beginners in the industry, you can start by getting a basic collection of electrician tools. You can find a good deal on a simple electrician toolset that includes several basic tools of decent workmanship indeed.
Commonly used budget electrician tools
You can find below the most common budget electrician tools in the modern world. We have simply listed the best for you.
- Pliers
- Screwdrivers
- Tape Measure
- Electric Tape
- Wire Strippers
- Coax Connector
- Hacksaws
- Cable Cutters
- Claw Hammer
- Voltage Tester
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Circuit Analyzers
- Circuit Finders
- Cable Ties aka Zip ties
- Level
- Fish Tape
- Splice Connector
- EMT Bender
- Electric drill
- Insulated Gloves
- Safety Glasses
After going through this list, you might surely be wondering what these tools really are. Take it easy! The below sections would surely help you clear out your doubts.
Commonly used budget electrician tools in detail
Let us find about these tools one by one. Let us start with pliers!
1. Pliers
Simply, every electrician should have a plier in his toolset. Even though a plier has just a few parts, they all have significant functions. The opposite jaws of the plier are for gripping, bending and cutting the wires and cables. Fulcrum or Pivot Point is the position where the handles and jaws interact, and it also helps to generate adequate strength for the jaws to perform their task.
The price of the set of pliers depends on the quality of the set, the brand, and the number of tools included. If a set has more pliers, the set would definitely cost more. So, instead of buying a cheap kit with a lot of tools, you can consider buying a set with fewer tools in it. That way, the tools would be of high quality, and it will cost less.
Different types of pliers
There are several types of pliers that the electricians use. For a better overview, let us get to know about them, and their uses.
Linesman’s pliers aka Side cutting pliers
This is an incredibly versatile instrument that is useful for electrical work. For grasping flat objects, the jaws in a Linesman’s pliers have a flat front with shallow serrations. These types of pliers have side cutters right behind the front of the jaws, which allow the user to cut wires. Therefore, this tool is used to bend, twist, and curt metal because of the multi-tool feature and strength of the jaws. In some cases, the insulated handles are capable of shielding the consumer from electric shocks, but most models are not insulated and you should not work with them on live connections.
Cutting pliers aka Diagonal cutting pliers
Cutting pliers are designed to cut through a thick wire with a fairly short jaw set with an angled edge. The cutting knives reach to the tips and give you the ability to reliably snap wires or even cut small nails and screws in a crowded gang box. To get extra leverage, some feature a longer handle.
Needle nose pliers aka Long-nosed pliers
The nose of this tool is elongated for more accuracy and has a cutting edge at the base. The elongated nose provides excellent control, while the cutting edge near the joint of the pliers offers “one-tool” ease. It is used for bending, shaping, re-positioning, and snipping a wire.
Flat nose pliers aka Duckbill pliers
The smooth, tapered jaws of these pliers are used for gripping, twisting metal, creating sharp bends, and straightening as well as twisting leads and cables. Flat nose pliers are available with long or short noses.
2. Screwdrivers
For loosening and fastening different pieces of hardware, electricians use a number of screwdrivers. There are interchangeable pieces of flexible and adaptable screwdrivers in the market.
Can you touch a live wire with a screwdriver?
Yes, and no. A bare metal shaft is at least half the normal screwdriver and is a very strong conductor of electricity. To prevent you from getting an electric current, the rubber handle on it is adequate. But it is not rated and checked to defend you directly from energized circuits. You would get shocked when there is a crack in the rubber handle and it makes contact with your skin. Vinyl-covered screwdriver blades can prevent the shortening of a circuit, but will not protect an individual from an electric current.
3. Tape Measure
It is important to know exact measurements when cutting and stripping while dealing with wiring. A simple retractable tape measure does the job, but this task is made easier by available models with magnetic tips, multi-step locks, and other features.
4. Electric Tape
Electric tape is important for insulating electricity-conducting wires or other materials. The electrical tape prevents the electrical current from unintentionally moving to other wires and by contacting live wires, from electrocution
5. Wire Strippers
As a multi-tool for the electrician, the most popular candidate is wire strippers. It will usually have wire cutting blades in its most simple form to cut the same wire gauges as the holes filled by the strippers with a crimping edge.
Circular or elliptical cutting edges in a wire stripper lets you only cut through the adhesive and leave bare wire when you pull off the adhesive. With the wire size to which it corresponds, each hole gets a mark.
Different types of wire strippers
There are several types of wire strippers. Electricians use them for varying purposes. Why not? Let us have a quick glance over them!
- Adjustable strippers – combine stripping with the ability to crimp and wire-snipping.
- Wire stripper pliers – feature thicker, multicore cables with V-shaped stripping jaws.
- Triple action wire strippers – equipped with durable insulation for thicker cabling and can use a special spiral cutting motion.
- Sheath stripper – use a rotary action and make a tidy cut of the ring.
6. Coax Connector
Coax connectors attach cables to devices, while shielding the cable from shredding at the same time. There are several connectors, and having a variety on hand ensures you can meet the needs of your clients.
Furthermore, there are some basic budget electrician power tools listed below that you will need in your tool bag.
7. Hacksaws
Hacksaws are fine-toothed saws specifically designed to cut through metal conduit and armored cable. In an adjustable frame, between the head of the saw and the pistol grip handle, the thin blades are kept at tension. These blades can break or become blunt, but are easily replaceable.
8. Cable Cutters
Cable cutters feature steel blades that are used to cut through regular wiring effortlessly. Stronger cable shears can create even thicker cabling for short work. Make sure that the cable cutter has the ability to handle the thickness of the wire or cable. Those with completely insulated models are suitable for use with high-voltage wiring, electrical equipment, and high electrostatic discharge conditions. They also provide a simple way to rapidly strip off insulation for crimping and similar operations. Tekton is a perfect example of manual cutting power tools at cheap prices these days. It’s very flexible and easy to use.
9. Claw Hammer
Typically, you can use a claw hammer to hammer and pull nails out. Also, the claw hammer comes handy in accessing sealed places like fuse boxes concealed behind the paneling.
10. Voltage Tester
A portable voltage tester is used to monitor power outlets and check whether the power has been restored. Electrical power must cut off in key parts of the property usually to conduct electrical work safely. So voltage tester is useful when inspecting cabling, switches, junction boxes, or similar equipment for safety purposes.
There are budget electrical testers, such as non-contact voltage tester, circuit tester and continuity tester, to make electrical work safer and easier. You can purchase all three for around $20 at home centers.
11. Flashlight or Headlamp
Working in the dark is a possible occupational hazard for an electrician. The role of electricians with a flashlight is that they make work in darkened places, buildings in which the lighting has broken or the power is turned off. Meanwhile, headlamps attached to helmets are very useful when both hands are busy with precise work.
12. Circuit Analyzers
Circuit analyzers are a digital handheld electrician tool. It offers essentially instant feedback about the circuit connected to an individual outlet. These electrical maintenance devices calculate voltage, polarity, line voltage, reversals, and more within seconds.
13. Circuit Finders
Modern electricians use circuit finders with a portable digital transmitter and a small receiver that connects to outlets around the home with two key components built into the unit. The system sends a signal to the receiver when an electrician holds up the transmitter to the circuits in the breaker to show the circuit the outlet belongs to. This solves the problem to know which outlets in a building are connected to which circuits for electricians.
14. Cable Ties aka Zip ties
A cable tie is a type of fastener. They can hold together stuff, mostly electrical wires or wires. Cable ties are common, finding use in a wide variety of other applications due to their low cost and ease of use. With cable ties, you can keep the electrical space neat and ordered.
15. Level
Finding correct positioning points is important when installing light fixtures. Without a level, an electrical tools list is not complete. Because it lets electricians make sure that fixtures, screws, and other items are exactly where they need to be. Torpedo levels are ideal for electricians because spirit levels are unsuitable for taking measurements in small spaces. At such moments and instances of use, only the torpedo levels can offer a great deal of use.
The Magnetic Shock Resistant Torpedo Level of Stanley 43-511 is cheap and easy, but still effective. Its base contains a strong magnet that easily sticks to surfaces, so the torpedo mitigates the use of hands or manual operations. Some non-marring rubber caps are at their ends to withstand shocks and provide additional support. The core comes in the form of a frame made of heavy duty aluminum. The frame is light and solid, giving you some reliable long-term services as well as good precision.
16. Fish Tape
Fish tape is one of several common instruments for electricians. It’s a simple tool that electricians use to pull wire through electrical conduits. Fish tape is housed in a retractable coil, and can be fed via mounted conduit piping. When the end of the fish tape emerges on the other side, it is possible to hook wiring to the tape and retract the tape, dragging the wire down the duct.
How to use a fish tape?
If you are wondering of how to use a fish tape, check the below steps. They will certainly help you out!
- Push the button or pull the lever on (or near) the handle to pull the tape out of the wheel.
- As you unwind it from the wheel, feed the tape into the conduit.
- A helper connects wires to the end of the tape, which has a hook-like eye, as the tape emerges from the other end of the conduit. Then pull the tape back into the conduit with the wires in tow.
- Grip the center of the wheel with one hand to wind the fish tape back in and turn the handle with the other. This winds the wheel with the tape.
17. Splice Connector
Splice connectors are plastic clips used with two or more pieces of wire to create rapid splices or connections. These plastic clips help electricians to attach several pieces of wire easily. You can use them with various cables, including system wires, telephone cables, and electrical cables. The splice connector also allows splicing wires without needing to solder them.
18. EMT Bender
In combination with a very long lever, the EMT bender is often used to bend angles in the conduit into which electrical wires are mounted. They can do saddle bending as well and useful in straightening the conduit.
19. Electric drill
Electric drills are useful in indoor and outdoor wiring. They are handy tools for drilling holes in metal sheets and concrete walls. Further, they also help in creating holes for the passage of wires and ducts in building structures.
20. Insulated Gloves
For electricians, electrocution poses a real risk. Therefore, they need to take precautions. Another layer of protection is offered by wearing insulated gloves, so use them as one of your tools for electrical maintenance. For fit and comfort, insulated gloves come in different types. So, it is up to you to pick the one that works best for you.
DEX FIT Nitrile Work Gloves FN330 is recommended for the best possible safety glove experience. It provides excellent comfort, outstanding protective use at a reasonable price. Moreover, they come in different stypes to meet the varying customer demands.
Can Gloves protect from electric shock?
Yes, most rubber work gloves are designed so that they are shock-absorbent and able to resist electrical shocks, particularly those made specifically for electricians. But make sure you’re making your choice right.
21. Safety Glasses
When closely inspecting electrical wiring or operating power tools, electricians need to shield their eyes. Whether you are an apprentice or a professional, you’ll need a pair of safety glasses on board at any work site. So don’t forget to add this as part of your essential electrician tool set.
3M safety glasses are one of the budget electrician safety glasses. Moreover, they have the ability to protect your eyes. The greatest feature of the 3M safety glasses is the value you get out of them for money. These safety glasses are durable and able to withstand a harsh setting.
Do electricians need insulated tools?
Insulated tools are highly advisable to use if you do some form of electrical work. From the performance perspective, regular tools can do the same job. But insulated devices protect you from unintended contact with live wires up to 1000V AC or 1500V DC.
Although there may be plastic or nylon handles for regular pliers and screwdrivers, they will not insulate the user from contact with a high-voltage electric line. High voltage will pass along the tool’s steel core and make the leap to the consumer easily through the thin plastic handle.
Usually, insulated tools are costlier than regular tools. If you just operate on low voltage wiring, then you do not need hand tools that are insulated. If you’re starting out as a professional electrician, however, insulated hand tools are a must for your electrical tool bag.
Tool belt for electrician
Since electricians visit many job sites a day it is easy to lose tools and may need replacement. It is advisable that you invest in a good tool belt and a tool bag or case or box to overcome this problem. But remember to not purchase fancy stuff overboard. You are good to go as long as your toolkit is organized, reachable and can be moved efficiently. And make sure to keep critical tools for electricians, such as flashlights and other different work lights, handy and within reach.
Is it safe to use budget electrician tools?
Most probably, someone who is on the way to becoming an electrician most likely has a severely limited budget. During those initial stages of your career and when you are on a tight budget, it is okay to fill your tool bag with the most essential and common budget electrician tools.
However, electricians must always choose the best tool for the job. You must admit that sometimes it is dangerous to buy cheap tools or to use damaged tools. If the electricians buy cheap tools and the insulation is not checked, they put their own life at risk. Make sure to never use tools with frayed cords or damaged insulation. When operating on any branch circuit or any other electrical device, always use appropriate insulated gloves and safety glasses. That’s why both the insulated gloves and the safety glasses were also included in the list mentioned above. Remember that you must never compromise your safety!
In addition, the statistical data on workplace electrical injuries and fatalities presented by the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) indicates 160 electrical fatalities in 2018. This is an increase of 18% of electrical hazards over the previous year. Therefore, as a matter of practice, electricians ought to take many measures due to the risk of electrocution.
Low-quality products, however, end up requiring replacement more frequently, have higher long-term operating costs, and are prone to malfunctioning. So the collection of electrical tools for electricians is not the place to cut costs by purchasing cheap tools.
More about budget electrician tools
Stay updated on the offers given by retails shops and online stores like Amazon. Prices are not necessarily a good quality measure. Make sure to check customer feedback to see the customer satisfaction level and whether manufacturers live up to its promises. Also, keep an eye on Facebook Marketplace for collections of used hand tools that can also be worth your while. Speaking of social media, take the opportunity to search for electrician-catering discussion groups. In addition, keep in touch with global electrical events and never miss a chance to take part in them. You may be able to gain greater insight into the best tools for the craftsmanship of electricians and budget electrician tools in more depth.
Conclusion
Hope this article has given you a clear understanding of the tools of the budget electrician. In conclusion, always keep in mind that your safety should be your first concern, whether you use budget tools or not. Spare yourself the shock!
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