6 Hand Tools Every Electrician Needs to Have in Their Tool Bag

Having all the necessary tools in your electrician’s tool bag can save hours and make jobs smoother. Whether you work on residential or commercial projects, you’ll need many of the same tools. Make sure your tool bag is stocked and ready for work with these must-have tools that no electrician should be without.

The Right Electrician Tool Bag and Belt

Not being able to find the right tool for the job is frustrating and time consuming. A good tool bag will keep your tools organized and help reduce daily stress. Look for a durable bag with plenty of storage compartments to keep your tools organized and easily accessible. An electrician’s tool bag should also have pockets to keep screws, caps and other small pieces sorted. 

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A good tool belt is also important. Your tool belt should be comfortable and easily adjustable. A tool belt with shoulder straps will help ease the strain on your back by distributing some of the weight to your shoulders. Convenient add-ons like The Gorilla Hook will make your tool belt even more functional. The Gorilla Hook will keep your cordless drill safely secured to your tool belt, leaving your hands free to work.

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Lineman’s Pliers

A good pair of pliers is one of an electrician’s most used tools. Pliers are a must-have for bending and twisting wire. You’ll be getting a lot of use out of your pliers, so ensure you get a good pair. They should open and close smoothly and have a comfortable grip. And always choose pliers with insulated handles.

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Side Cutting Pliers

There’s a lot of wire cutting involved in electrical work.  A good pair of wire cutters will be used over and over again. As with your other pliers, you’ll want a sturdy set that has a comfortable, insulated grip and smooth motion. 

Needle Nose Pliers

Needle nose pliers come in handy for a variety of tasks. They’re especially convenient for reaching in small spaces to pick up dropped screws or fasteners. And they can also be used to help hold small screws or nuts when working in tight spaces.

6 Hand Tools Every Electrician Needs to Have in Their Tool Bag

Wire Strippers

Wire strippers are used to remove a wire’s outer insulation without damaging the wire inside. They are available in different sizes, but many electricians recommend wire strippers with 10-32 and 6-32 slots to avoid damaging the thread.

Screwdrivers

An electrician’s toolkit will include a variety of different sized screwdrivers. The most important feature for an electrician’s screwdriver is that they are fully insulated.  Insulated screwdrivers have a durable, non-conductive plastic coating that prevents the transfer of electrical current. 

You’ll need Phillips screwdrivers with small and medium-sized heads. Along with a variety of flat-head screwdrivers in different sizes. If you work on large projects, you may also want a drill to speed up the work. In this case, The Gorilla Hook is an indispensable accessory.

A stubby screwdriver is a great tool for getting into tiny spaces. Sometime there’s not a lot of room in an electrical box and having a tiny screwdriver will make your job that much easier. 

Voltage Tester and Meter

Don’t take risks guessing if a wire is live or not! A voltage tester is easy to use and doesn’t take up much space in your tool bag. Simply hold the voltage tester to a wire to quickly tell if it is a live wire. A voltage meter measures voltage, current and frequency and is an indispensable tool for testing and troubleshooting.