Telecommunication line installers do need several specific tools. It is with the right tools that they can execute their work in the right order. It is not only for the profession of telecommunication that the right tools are requisite. For any profession that is in the field of construction, tools are of extreme importance. And there is no difference even when it comes to the field of telecommunication line installation. If the telecommunication line installers do not have the right tools, they can hardly do anything right. So, we thought of telling you about the tools of a telecommunication line installer through this article. It would be worthy as this is a career that is in demand.
What does a Telecommunication Line Installer do?
Before we actually learn about the tools of a telecommunication line installer, it would be important to get to know what telecommunication line installers actually do. So, what does a telecommunication line installer do exactly?
Telecommunication line installers are primarily responsible for installing and maintaining telecommunication wires, including fiber optic cables. Maintaining cable lines, testing for efficacy, and checking the cables to verify that they are in excellent working condition are all part of your job. If faults develop, the telecommunication line installers would have to diagnose and debug the equipment. Telecommunication line installers may have to work either indoors or outdoors. That depends on the type of work.
This appears to be straightforward. However, the duties that telecommunication line installers have to perform are not as easy as they might seem. Professional competence, abilities, and experience are necessary. So, if you want to learn how to install telecommunication lines, you must first realize that these types of work would become your tasks.
What are the tools that a Telecommunication Line Installer needs?
Let us firstly list out the tools that a telecommunication line installer would need. That would help you get a rough idea and understanding of this. Afterward, we can look into each of those tools descriptively.
- Cable tester kit
- Wire cutters
- Wire strippers
- Cordless drill
- Pliers
- Wrenches
- Wire pulling accessories
- Cable locating equipment
- Insulated knife
- Screwdrivers
In fact, you would like to know about all these in detail. Do not worry. Let us tell you.
1. Cable tester kit
A cable tester is an electronic device that checks electrical connections in signal cables and other connected assemblies. Generally, this is a battery-operated portable device. It features an electric current source, one or more voltage indicators, and potentially a switching or scanning arrangement for successively testing each of multiple wires. Also, a cable tester may have a microcontroller to automate the testing process. It also has a display to display the findings. A cable tester can be connected to both ends of the cable at the same time, or the indicator and current source parts can be separated to allow injection of a test current at one end and detection of the findings at the other. And of course, they would have compatible connections.
The testing process has two stages. The first is the “opens test.” It ensures that all of the intended connections are functional. The “shorts test” is the second phase. It ensures that there are no unintended connections.
When it comes to optical cable testers, they include a visible light source and a connection suitable with the optical cable installation. A visible light source is to allow you to detect it. Advanced optical cable testers can check optical cables’ and connectors’ signal loss characteristics as well. And you would need this type of cable tester when you have some work in relation to optical cables. If not, a general cable tester kit would be sufficient for a telecommunication line installer.
Cable Tester, LAN Scout Jr. 2 Ethernet Cable Tester for CAT 5e, CAT 6/6A Cables with RJ45 Connections Klein Tools VDV526-200
In terms of cable testing kits, this is a product that we can suggest for you. Using this cable tester kit, you can check for open, short, or split-pair faults mainly. With this, you would be getting two AAA alkaline batteries that you would be needing for this cable tester. And it has a self-storing remote as well.
This cable tester kit has received good ratings from its customers. Hence, we can recommend this product to you.
2. Wire cutters
Telecommunication line installers also need wire cutters. Of course, as the name of the tool itself suggests, this is to cut wires or cables. In fact, this might be a cutting plier as well. Of course, there are a number of tools that you can make use of, in order to cut wires when necessary. And indeed, cutting pliers is one.
So, what should you consider when you are going to purchase a wire cutter like this? Mainly, you must consider whether you have the capability to make a cut using this wire cutter out of precision. Also, it is necessary that you have a pretty comfortable grip with the wire cutter. It must be firm and tight, on the other hand, as well. And make sure that the product you purchase is a high-quality durable product. It really matters as you would have to use this type of tool for a very long time without any issue.
IGAN-170 Wire Cutters, Precision Electronic Flush Cutter, One of the Strongest and Sharpest Side-Cutting pliers with an Opening Spring, Ideal for Ultra-fine Cutting Needs
We can recommend this cutting plier for you to use as a wire cutter for your telecommunication line installation work. This is sharp and strong. And therefore, this would be ideal for most purposes. This has an 11mm long heat-treated carbon steel jaw. And it comes with an angled head design.
According to the manufacturers, this tool is suitable for fields such as electrical work and jewelry making. And no doubt, it is therefore perfect for a telecommunication line installer. They also say that this is suitable for shearing copper and soft wire up to 18 AWG.
This wire cutter has a comfortable and firm grip. It consists of TPE material which has non-toxic and tasteless properties. So, this is perfectly environmentally friendly as well.
Small wire, vape wire, tie wrap, beading wire, zip ties, plastic, and other materials are all. compatible with this wire cutter. Avoid cutting hard or large gauge wires with these would be a good measure to preserve the longevity of this tool.
Our overall conclusion is that this is a great tool for the use of a telecommunication tool installer. So, you can go ahead with purchasing this.
3. Wire strippers
A telecommunication line installer may also need wire strippers for certain. Alright. So, what is the difference between wire cutters and wire strippers? Basically, wire strippers are for removing the insulation of wires. And wire cutters are for cutting wire. So, there is mainly a big difference between wire strippers and wire cutters. Here, it is about wire strippers. And yes, telecommunication line installers may have to remove the insulation of wires on certain occasions. Perhaps, there are plenty of electrical tasks to carry on for a telecommunication line installer.
An ordinary wire stripper has a pair of opposing blades. It is much more like a pair of scissors. And there is a notch in the center. That makes it possible for you to cut the insulation of a particular wire without damaging the actual wire. All you have to do is spin the wire stripper around the wire while applying pressure. Because the insulation has no bond to the wire, it comes away from the end easily. Perhaps, you can use these kinds of wire strippers on any size of wires.
Nowadays, there are compound automatic wire strippers as well as laser wire strippers. For basic telecommunication line installation work, a basic wire stripper would be adequate. Besides, depending on your requirements, you can go for the type that you prefer.
WGGE WG-015 Professional crimping tool/Multi-Tool Wire Stripper and Cutter (Multi-Function Hand Tool)
This is a good product that we can recommend for a telecommunication line installer who needs a wire stripper. The wire stripper we are referring to here is of high quality and professional standard.
With the self-adjusting mechanism of this wire stripper, you can strip wire from 10 to 24 AWG using this. And with the built-in adjustable stopper, you can control the length of the core strip of the wire.
“Best wire strippers ever. These are no B team strippers, these are definitely A team strippers. I’m talking classy strippers. They rip off the outer layer with ease.” This is how one of its buyers has reviewed this product on Amazon. And we are certain that you do not need any other proof to prove that this is a good item for you to purchase.
4. Cordless drill
You would also need cordless drills as one of the tools for a telecommunication line installer. This is mainly when you have to make an installation to a wall or a similar surface. To do the fixing part, this is what you would thus need.
You would surely know, a drill is a tool that you can use for making round holes in order to drive fasteners. And of course, nowadays, manual drills are not actually in use. It is mainly the power drills that are in use today. And in terms of power drills, there are basically two main types. They are the corded ones as well as the cordless ones. There are instances in which you can accomplish your task by using a corded one. But for that, you need to have a power supply and an adequate amount of extension codes. Anyway, you do not require extension codes if you are using cordless drills.
Unquestionably, telecommunication line installers cannot be using corded drills as they may have to work in numerous varying places. Therefore, they would need cordless drills for sure.
Cordless Drill, 12V Impact Drill Set with Dual-Speed, 21+1+1 Torque Settings, 1H Fast Charge, 3/8’’ Keyless Chuck, 41pcs Accessories Bits with Tool Bag, C P CHANTPOWER
Here is a cordless drill that we can recommend for a telecommunication line installer. This cordless drill specifically has 21 torques available for various screw driving tasks. And there are two additional torques for drilling as well. One is the low-speed one for the tightening and loosening of screws. The other is the high-speed one which is for wood, plastic, soft metal, and other materials.
One hour fast charge of this cordless drill would help you use this for a long time. And it has a slide battery pack. This allows easy installation and removal of the battery. When operating in a dark setting, the built-in LED light can lighten up the place. It is helpful as a flashlight to assist concentrate on the drill point. This 12V drill set includes three brushes in various sizes and shapes for cleaning and scouring washroom surfaces as well. You can hold the drill firmly with a rubber grip that is comfortable and firm. Further, the compact and light design provides optimum user comfort while reducing vibration.
In this set, you would be getting a 12V cordless drill, 2000mAH Lithium-ion battery, fast charger stand, nylon Bag, extension bar, flexible shaft, tape measure(3M/10FT), 3 drill bushes, 10 pieces of drill bits, and 30 pieces of Screwdriver Bits
“This tool is perfect, comes with many accessories and instructions. Easy to handle and gets the job done.” This is how one of the happy customers of this product has reviewed this cordless drill on Amazon. And that surely explains how good it is.
5. Pliers
Next in our list of tools of a telecommunication line installer is pliers. As you may already know, there are different types of pliers. And they all serve different purposes. So, you would need each of these pliers on various occasions. If we try to explain what pliers are, what we can simply say is that they are tools with which you can hold something firmly and bend them and so on. Pliers are made up of a pair of metal first-class levers that are connected at a fulcrum closer to one end of the levers, resulting in small jaws on one side and longer handles on the other. Beyond that, the task a particular plier performs varies depending on what type of plier that is.
Of course, a telecommunication line installer also would need a variety of different types of pliers. He or she would need diagonal pliers, long nose pliers, groove joint pliers, linesman pliers, slip-joint pliers, and so on. In fact, there are many other types of pliers as well. And previously, we talked about cutting pliers. Of course, all these types of pliers are necessary for professionals like telecommunication line installers, indisputably.
When you are purchasing pliers, you must consider whether they have a proper handle to have a firm and tight grip. And you must consider its durability. Of course, durability is something that matters a lot when you are going to purchase a product of this sort.
WORKPRO 5-piece Pliers Set, Premium Cr-V Construction, Including Long Nose, Diagonal Cutting, Groove Joint, Slip Joint and Linesman Pliers, with Storage Pouch
This is indeed ideal for a telecommunication line installer as this actually comes as a set of pliers consisting of various types. To be much more precise, this set of pliers includes a long nose plier, diagonal plier, groove joint plier, slip joint plier, and linesman plier. And that makes a count of 6 in numbers.
The pliers have a clear electrophoretic coating and are grease-coated. That helps to keep them from rusting. Before usage, wipe these pliers clean, then keep them in a dry location. The material of these pliers is 50CrV steel. It has been heat-treated and blackened on the surface. It consequently increases the hardness, clamping force, toughness, and durability of the pliers. These have hardened cutting edges. That makes it convenient for you to make any cut. Also, this is corrosion-resistant, on the other hand.
In addition, these pliers have comfortable grips. This is indeed important although many would not consider it to be. With a comfortable and tight grip, it would be easy for you to handle the pliers.
6. Wrenches
Now, we are going to consider wrenches as the next in our list of tools of a telecommunication line installer. Some may also refer to these tools as spanners. Whatever we call them, a wrench or spanner is a tool that provides grip and mechanical advantage when applying torque to turn objects, generally rotary fasteners like nuts and bolts.
Just like pliers, there are obviously many types of wrenches as you may already be aware of. And of course, you would be able to make use of each of these wrenches on different occasions. But it is necessary in most cases for a telecommunication line installer to have a wrench set mainly from the traditional style of wrenches. Having a set of wrenches is indeed important as all those sizes may be prominently useful.
BULLTOOLS 22-Piece Ratchet Wrenches Chrome Vanadium Steel Ratcheting Wrench Set with Metric and SAE 72-Tooth Box End and Open End Standard Wrench Set with Organizer Box
Here is a set of wrenches that we can recommend for you to have. This 22-piece ratchet wrench set comes with an organizer box to help you easily find the wrench you need. The specs are more complete and adaptable, making emergency repairs easier and faster. Heat-treated chromium-vanadium steel with high hardness is used to make this mirror-polished wrench set. So, these wrenches are, therefore, Aerospace-grade chromium-vanadium alloys are stronger, more corrosion resistant, and last longer.
Further, this product has received absolutely good reviews on Amazon. It also has received brilliant ratings from its customers. So, there is nothing wrong we can mention with regard to this product. You can go ahead and purchase this. This would surely be pretty useful for your career as a telecommunication line installer.
7. Wire pulling accessories
Wire pulling accessories also are really required for a telecommunication line installer. This is something that is unique for a telecommunication line installer as well. Let us consider a profession like being an electrician. An electrician would also need a vast majority of the tools that we discuss through this article. Yet, an electrician would not mainly need wire pulling accessories. An electrician would primarily be working indoors. But it is different when it comes to a telecommunication line installer. Most work of a telecommunication line installer would perhaps be outdoor work. Hence, it is necessary for telecommunication line installers to have wire pulling installers.
hromex Most Complete Accessory 33 Foot Wire and Cable Pulling Kit | 19 Multi-function Attachments Included
This is a set of wire pulling accessories that we can recommend for you. The wire and cable pulling kit of this set is 33 feet in length. And it has 10 – 38mm thick, 3.3 feet long fiberglass rods. Also, this set includes 19 other multi-use attachments as well. Some of them are two-wire grips, one wire glider, flexible extender, ball chain extender, one standard hook, one cutting hook, one grapple type hook, LED light, magnets, glow in the dark hooks, and rings. When you screw it into the rod end, the LED light activates. In addition, this comes with a storage case which would be pretty much useful for you. And importantly, you would be getting a one-year warranty for this set as well.
There are many happy customers of this product. They have provided excellent reviews and ratings for this product. So, we are fully confident in asking you to buy this set of wire pulling accessories as it is one of the main things that a telecommunication line installer would need to have as one of his or her tools.
8. Cable locating equipment
As one of the tools of a telecommunication line installer, we are going to consider cable \locating equipment next. There can obviously be occasions where telecommunication line installers would need cable locating equipment. With a cable locator, you get the ability to detect the presence and rough location of underground cables. Such a type of cable location is necessary when excavating the place.
Let us assume that you need to do an installation underground. For that, you have to excavate the place. So, before that, you need to ascertain that there are no cables underground. And you would surely have to use cable locating equipment.
In most cases, there would be no need for underground telecommunication cables in general. But there are instances. That is why we thought of including cable locating equipment in our list of tools of a telecommunication line installer.
Tempo Communications 501 Tracker II Underground Cable Locator – Locate Underground Wires, Cables, Pipes & Conduit (Latest Model)
This cable locator is an ideal choice for a telecommunication line installer. With this cable locator, you can conveniently trace the path of the cables and determine the depth. Signal strength is indicated both audibly and visually by the lightweight receiver this has. For optimal accuracy, both the transmitter output and receiver sensitivity are completely adjustable. The high-frequency transmitter is capable of providing a range up to 4000 feet and depths up to 7 feet.
Also, this has received excellent customer feedback as well. Many customers of this product have admired the fact that this is highly accurate and easy to use. Also, they have rated its value for money positively.
9. Insulated knife
Telecommunication line installers would also need a knife. But a normal knife that conducts electric current to the user would never be suitable for a professional like a telecommunication line installer. Undoubtedly, a telecommunication line `installer would need a knife that has a handle with proper insulation.
So, there can be instances where a telecommunication line installer would need a knife. A telecommunication line installer would also have to cut or strip wires and cables on occasions where he or she does not have a proper wire cutter or wire stripper. In such cases, having an insulated knife would be immensely beneficial for anyone in this field.
KNIPEX Tools – Dismantling Knife, 1000V Insulated (9855SB)
Here is an insulated knife that we can recommend for you. This tool is a perfect choice for anyone who is looking for a knife with a handle with insulation. And this design provides you with a comfortable grip. Also, this quality design allows you to utilize the knife with precision and accuracy.
When the blade is drawn, a thumb recess and “finger hook” at the end of the handle provide effective force transmission. The blade is made of surgical-grade stainless steel that has been air-hardened.
Even though it needed special manufacture and costs a little more, the steel of this knife is carefully hardened with a maximum of 0.8 percent carbon and specified proportions of chromium and vanadium, ensuring optimal cutting performance and service life. However, the manufacturer’s high product needs necessitate this.
The manufacturers have paid attention even to the smallest things as well. The cutting edges’ angles, sharpness, hardness, and toughness are all factors that they have considered. The joint’s accuracy and smooth movement and the polish and design of the handle are also such factors.
In general, most customers have reviewed this positively. So, we can certainly recommend this product to any telecommunication line installer.
10. Screwdrivers
Screwdrivers are common for most professionals in the field of construction. And no doubt, telecommunication line installers also need to have screwdrivers. A screwdriver is a tool available for driving screws. It can be manual or powered. A standard screwdriver consists of a handle and a shaft with a tip that the user inserts into the screw head before rotating the handle. The power drill is the powered tool that you can use instead of a screwdriver. We discussed power drills in this article previously. But this section focuses primarily on conventional screwdrivers.
In terms of screwdrivers, there are different types of tips available for various types of screws. A telecommunication line installer, therefore, must have all types of screwdrivers in order to drive any type of screw without any issue. If not, a telecommunication line installer may need to have a multi-tool type screwdriver. Using such a screwdriver would actually be convenient for you as you would not need to have a lot of screwdrivers with you. You can simply and easily change the tips of the screwdriver and use it.
The most important factor that you must consider when you are going to purchase screwdrivers is their durability. A screwdriver that is not durable would be of no use. You must possibly be able to use the screwdrivers for a long time without any problem.
SUNHZMCKP 8 in 1 Screwdriver, Portable multi-purpose screwdriver，High- Strength Bits, Phillips, Slotted, Torx，Suitable for outdoor and daily repair tools, The best tool gift for a man
This is an 8 in 1 screwdriver that you can use for your telecommunication line installation work. So, you have 8 types of tips for this screwdriver. Because of that, you can use this on any type of screw universally without any issue. This screwdriver has a slip-resistant and firm grip. This helps you hold the screwdriver comfortably.
Of course, this screwdriver is perfect for any professional who has to use hand tools like this. And in fact, this is ideal for a telecommunication line installer as well. The manufacturers have used high-quality steel for this screwdriver, and the drill bit is more robust and durable as it has followed precise machining and heat treatment as well.
Many customers have voted for this product’s comfort, value for money, and versatility. Furthermore, its ratings suggest that its customers have found this screwdriver easy to use and easy to hold.
How to take care of Telecommunication Line Installation Tools?
Alright. We told you all about the tools of a telecommunication line installer. Besides, it is also pretty important to know how to take care of these tools. And now, we are going to tell you how to take care of them.
- Clean the tools properly
- Store them correctly
- Inspect the tools regularly
These are some simple steps that you can follow. But the results they can give you are enormous. So, let us tell you all about these in detail.
1. Clean the tools properly
Knowing and understanding how to use telecommunication installation tools is not enough. You must understand how to care for them. The most important thing to remember is to keep your tools clean. For a professional like this, this is an important measure to take. You will not be able to use the tools for a longer amount of time if you do not clean them after each use. Hence, make sure to clean your tools and equipment properly after each use. Consequently, they would not soon wear and tear.
2. Store them correctly
The next piece of advice we have for you is to store your tools properly. If you do not keep them properly, you may find that they wear out more rapidly. The manner you store things has a direct impact on your tools’ longevity. So, pay attention to how you keep them. This is an important measure. As a result, you may be able to utilize the tools for a long time.
3. Inspect the tools regularly
It is critical to conduct regular inspections to ensure that the tools are in excellent working order. This has several advantages. If you do periodic inspections, you will be able to determine whether or not the individual tools require any maintenance. And if they are not in perfect condition, you can always get new ones. It is crucial. You would not be able to get the job done correctly if you use the same tool without doing any maintenance or repair.
Conclusion
We hope that you could learn a lot about the tools of a telecommunication line installer. And we hope that you enjoyed reading this. Anyway, if you have an enthusiasm to read about the tools of some other professionals, you can read about the tools of a plumber, electrician, carpenter, masonry worker, HVAC technician, ironworker, glazier, solar installer, and so on. Finally, we wish you good luck with your profession!
