Top 13 Tools for the Best Electricians Tool Kit

Alternative names:

• Cable strippers
• Cable wire strippers

Screwdrivers are one of the most traditional of tools but are still indispensable for most electricians who frequently require access to electrical containers sealed with screws. There are multiple sizes and shapes available for compatibility with the abundance of screw designs.

Screwdrivers work through the simple application of torque – rotational force – when the head of the screwdriver has been inserted into the slot on the screw. Electrician’s screwdrivers feature carefully designed, insulated handles to provide protective electrical resistance. This will be indicated by VDE approval.

Pliers are ideal for:

• Gripping
• Twisting
• Clipping

Electrical tape is used to insulate wires or other items that conduct electricity. Also known as insulation tape or electrical insulation tape, it is self-adhesive and pressure-sensitive, built to resist abrasion, heat and liquids in order to protect the sensitive conducting core within electrical wiring.

It is also made from different materials, including PVC, vinyl, copper foil and glass cloth. Different varieties feature varying colours, widths, thicknesses, temperature tolerance, adhesion strength and insulating capabilities.

The colours help electricians select the correct type and also enable them to colour code the wires they are working with.

Black tape is the most widely used colour - for general insulation and in order to indicate the low voltage neutral point in a circuit. Meanwhile, in the UK green and yellow tape typically indicate the protective earthing point. Blue tape is usually used to colour code low voltage neutral wires and red marks low voltage AC wires.

Hacksaws are fine-toothed saws designed primarily for cutting through metal. The thin blades are held at tension in an adjustable frame, between the head of the saw and the pistol grip handle. These blades can break or become blunt but are easily replaceable.

Full sized hacksaws typically feature 12-inch blades. Meanwhile junior hacksaws are typically much smaller, with even finer teeth designed for more precise work.

Cable cutters are a staple of every electrician’s tool kit. These versatile tools feature steel blades and cut through standard wiring easily. Stronger cable shears will make short work of even thicker cabling. They also provide a handy way to strip off insulation for crimping and similar operations quickly.

Different models enable cuts of different kinds, from straight multi-purpose designs to those made especially for flush cutting or diagonal slicing. Fully insulated models are suitable for use with high voltage wiring, electrical equipment and environments high in electrostatic discharge, making them an ideal choice for electricians.

Look for models with an ergonomic grip to improve ease of use and try to avoid using particular models on material that is too hard. Look for their cutting capacity, which ranges from 0.4mm to 600mm.

Spanners will almost certainly be an essential inclusion in your tool kit if you regularly need to loosen or attach nuts, bolts or similar fixings.

With so many different sizes of bolt and nut, a similar variety of spanner designs are available to ensure a close fit between the head which applies torque and the fixture in question. Size is equally important in order to achieve a tight grip.

Common spanner models include:

Adjustable spanner -As the name suggests, these feature a moveable jaw which can be adjusted to fit different sized bolts or nuts. The monkey wrench is the best-known form of adjustable spanner.

Open-ended spanners -These spanners have a double C-shaped clamp in different sizes at either end and are useful when space is limited.

These are another toolkit standby with a relatively self-explanatory name. Voltage indicators, or ‘multimeters’, are handheld devices used for – you guessed it – testing whether a live current is present in a particular location. They are primarily employed for safety purposes when checking cabling, switches, junction boxes or similar equipment.

The presence of voltage is indicated by the illumination of a light-emitting diode. If this light appears, electricians know to shut down the current before beginning work. This is a vital safeguard and one required by health and safety legislation. Most voltage indicator models feature redundant circuits and resistance to electrical surges for additional safety.

Safety knives are not just a specialist professional tool – they are in fact familiar to most of us. We may know them as Stanley knives, utility knives, pen knives or box cutters. The principle remains the same whatever name is used: the knife blade is shielded for safety at most times and only extended when in the tool is actually in use, thereby minimising accidents and injuries. Some models feature spring-loaded sliders that automatically retract the blade after use.

Like all tools, safety knives come in a variety of shapes and sizes for use in different situations. Professional safety knives suitable for use by electricians typically feature handles made from aluminium, plastic or steel, and the blade itself will be stainless, carbon or tool steel for maximum cutting power. Blades are usually replaceable when they break or go blunt.

Hex keys take their name from the hexagonal fasteners and fixings they are used to adjust. Another common name is Allen key or Allen wrench. They can be made from steel, or nickel and sometimes bronze or copper alloys. There are four principal types: straight hex keys, L-shaped ones, folding hex keys and T-handles.

Straight hex keys are used as extensions to screwdrivers and allow these to apply torque to hexagonal fastenings.

L-shaped keys have identical heads at either end so they can be used either way round, but with differing leverage: the shorter end provides more while the longer end allows access to more confined spaces. As the name suggests, folding hex keys can be stored easily.

Finally, the handles on the T-handle variety are more ergonomic, allowing a firmer grip to be applied.

Claw hammers feature a standard hammer on one side of the tool, primarily used for inserting fixtures like nails, and a dual steel claw at the other end, which is designed to enable the easy removal of the same nails or similar fixtures by applying a robust grip.

Claw hammers are useful to gain access to sealed spaces – for example, fuse boxes hidden behind the panelling.

Chisels are another ancient tool that have lost none of their power or utility in the present day, providing a powerful and time-honoured method of breaking through wood, stone, brick, concrete and similar materials. Modern chisels are made from various steel alloys.

Electrician’s chisels are a specialist variation used to cut channels in walls during installation procedures. Popular sizes to keep in your tool kit include:

• 5mm
• 10mm
• 16mm
• 18mm
• 20mm
• 50mm

Torches are another common item that are always handy to keep in the tool kits of electricians and other professionals. Many different designs are available but smaller torches powered by LEDs rather than traditional bulbs are typically favoured by professionals: they are lighter and easier to carry without sacrificing illumination.

The job of the torch to electricians is a simple one: they allow work in darkened areas, for example, a building in which the lighting has failed or the power is switched off. Head torches attached to helmets or hats may be required if both hands are needed for precise work.

If you are looking to buy a fully assembled quality tool kit, then our RS PRO 32 piece Electrician's tool kit is ideal for you.

The tool kit offers a selection of the most popular hand tools, including VDE screwdrivers and pliers tested up to 1000V, as well as useful additions including a measuring tape, safety knife and torch. All supplied in a durable tool bag.

Take a look at our video to see all the contents of the RS Pro Electrician's Toolkit.

Offering a variety of essential tools, this comprehensive toolkit is ideal for professional electricians and engineers.