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Basic Tools |
WHILE EXTREME CARE HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS
SELF-HELP DOCUMENT, THE AUTHOR AND/OR PROVIDERS OF THIS DOCUMENT ASSUMES
NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS, NOR IS ANY LIABILITY ASSUMED
FROM THE USE OF THE INFORMATION, CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, BY THE
AUTHOR and / OR PROVIDER.
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Basic Tools
Required when working on Electrical Projects |
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Basic
Tools needed for electrical projects in the home...
Cable Ripper...
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This is
one of the cheaper tools that can be bought, it is a cable ripper,
sometimes referred to as a `Romex® cable ripper. [Romex® is a
registered trademark of Southwire Company] It is used is to remove
the outer sheathing of electrical cables. At the end of this is a
small sharp metal spike. This is safer than using a knife and will
not damage the insulated wires inside the cable sheathing. |
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Insert the
tool over the end of the cable, press tightly together then pull
away from the cable and it will safely rip the sheathing which you
can then peal away and cut. |
Wire Stripper...
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These usually are
suitable for different gage wiring, once the outer sheathing has
been ripped off, use the wire stripper and place the wire over the
tooth notch that matches the gage of the wire being used, then
squeeze the handles together, rotate the tool to cut into the
insulation of the wire then pull the tool outward away from the wire
to remove the wire insulation. Unlike with knifes this will ensure
that you have a perfect cut and will not cut into the wire or cut
yourself, certainly the safer way to go. |
Screwdrivers...
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A good set
of screwdrivers with insulated handles, and ones with
insulated shelves are safer.
Screwdrivers come in 3
main types, Philips (star shaped tip), Roberson (square shape tip),
and straight edge. There is also a wide variety of tip sizes as well
as stem and handle grip sizes. |
Multi-meter...
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A multi meter is a multi
function meter reading device. The one shown to the left is a
digital meter, but analog meters can be bought and usually cheaper
however the digital ones will be able to provide a more precise
reading. Be sure to select the range and item (like AC or DC,
résistance and so on) you can damage the meter if the incorrect
setting is used. Some very basic and cheapest of meters will be
limited and may only be able to read voltage.
Multi meters can measure voltage, continuity, resistance, and
current, some can even check out transistors. For current (amps)
most of these consumer type meters can only read in the small range
(so most are useless for reading circuit current),
use a clamp on current meter for reading current.
They come with wired contact probes.
For greater safety - the electrical safety authority
is now recommending using only multi meters with fused leads (link
will open in new tab / window)...
http://www.esasafe.com/pdf/Multimeter_Brochure.pdf
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Outlet tester...
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These are
extremely useful, it checks if the sequence of wiring at the outlet
is correct. |
Needle Nose pinchers...
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Certainly
add this to the list of must have tools, make certain the handles
are well insulated. Numerous uses for this tool - a great tool for reaching
and moving wires in hard to reach locations. |
Wire Cutters...
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There is a
variety of types of these cutters but you need one that has
insulated handles (although when cutting an electrical cable it
should not be live but get one with the insulated handles anyway)
and can cut completely through the toughest electrical cable
that you may be working with. |
Hammer...
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Variety of types and
sizes available. Would be needed to nail in electrical boxes, and
cable staples. |
Electrical Tape...
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A must have in your
electrical tool box, among other uses you will need this to signify
in switch circuits in instances when a white wire has been
re-designated to use as a switched ungrounded conductor (hot). |
Fish Wire...
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Fish tape is used to pull
/ fish through wires in hard to reach places such as through the
inside of a finished wall. |
A small bright battery powered
flashlight...
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A must or seeing in dark
hard to see areas like inside an electrical box. |
A storage / carrying bag...
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Well no set of tools is
complete without a way to organize it all. |
AMP (current) meter...
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Another nice addition if you have a need to be able to read
current draw on a circuit is a clamp on amp (current) meter.
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AC Line Separator...
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Used in conjunction with a clamp on
meter to be able to separate the ungrounded conductor (hot) from the
grounded conductor (neutral). |
Electrician's Gloves...
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Electrician's gloves, insulated for working near live
electricity |
This is a basic list of tools for general home wiring
purposes, but there may be other tools that you could find useful, a
variety of different types / sizes of pliers, small and large vice
grips. may also be useful.
Written: Jan. 3. 2012
Revised: March 17, 2012
Proof Read / Released: May 8, 2012
By: Donald Kerr |
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