Articles and How-To's

Useful Electric Tools To Do Electrical Repairs


When attempting to fix anything electric the first thing most people think of is the type and kind of tools needed to fix or repair an electrical appliance, switch plate, plug, restore a socket or most anything having to do with voltage, current and electricity. Tools are essential in any fix-it job.

However, when it comes to electricity, the foremost thing that must be done in order to be sure that the person doing the job remains safe, is to make sure that the power that supplies the appliance or light or fixture has been shut off.

All electric power coming into the apartment building or house wiring for that particular item should be set to "OFF." Now that we understand this, let us get back to the tools and implements that can be used when tackling those minor electric jobs and repairs.

A well stocked homeowner's arsenal of electrical implements should include: hammers, screwdrivers, (standard, cabinet and Philips-tip), long-nose and slip-point pliers, a key-hole saw, hacksaw, utility knife, steel measuring tape, and an electric drill that comes with spade and masonry bits. These masonry bits are used to drill into metal, wood and most plastics. However, if you need to drill into concrete, stone, brick or plaster, you will need special carbide-tipped masonry bits.

An even better stocked electric toolbox contains a screwdriver tip that holds a screw, an offset screwdriver, and a nut driver (a great thing to have in confined spaces). All of these make it easier to be effective in tight areas.

By adding some additional electrician's tools, you can handle more complex and difficult jobs. A cable stripper tool cuts through the covering, or sheathing, on nonmetallic cable. Another type of "stripper" is the wire stripper, which removes the insulation from the wires.

There is even a multipurpose tool. (I just love those multi-tasking tools. They remind me of daily life in Manhattan.) This tool can measure, strip, and cut wire. It can also crimp wire connectors and cut and thread machine screws. A plus is that this tool is made in different designs with different functions.

While you are fixing and repairing that plug, connector, wire, electrical appliance or lamp, you can do it using a tool that has a bit of a personal touch to it. You may not be able to choose what needs to be repaired, but you can choose the design of the tool you use. In fact, you can create your own tool, sort of, because you can buy one that suits your needs best. With this tool, you not only get many different tools in one, but you are able to choose which tools you want to come in this 'combo-pack.'

Besides the pliers discussed above, there are other ones. Diagonal cutting pliers will cut 'No. 6' or smaller wires. Lineman's pliers have a wire cutter near the pivot and serrated jaws that hold and twist wires.

They are also useful in removing knockouts from electrical boxes. (A knockout is a removable disc on the metal box through which the cable is fed. The cable holds the wires that carry the electricity to whatever plug, appliance, lamp, motor, or fixture that it is attached to.)

Other types of tools include fuse pullers. They remove and insert cartridge fuses; conduit or tubing bender to bend thin-wall or rigid conduit (channel in which wires are kept); fish tape, a tool for running cable behind walls or through conduit which is made of flattened steel wire and can be sold in different lengths to suit your electrical need.

There are many other tools that electricians use that can also be used by the electrical do-it-yourself person. Some are used to test, some are used to fix, and some are used to measure. For the home user, the supplies mentioned above seem to be the ones a homeowner should have on hand. If the job starts to get out of hand, or is just too complicated, then a licensed, insured professional electrician should be called in.
posted4/1/2009