Buying guides
Electrician's tool kit: from the test pen to the clamp meter
An electrician's kit is small, but mistakes in it are costly: an uninsulated handle or an unreliable tester is a danger, not just a fault. This list runs from most to least essential.
1. Test first
- A test pen, always in the pocket.
- A multimeter for voltage and continuity.
- A clamp meter to read current without breaking the circuit.
2. Cutting and stripping
- Insulated combination pliers, long-nose pliers and side cutters.
- A wire stripper and a cable cutter for large sections.
3. Driving
- An insulated screwdriver set and a small cordless drill.
4. First fix in walls
- A rotary hammer with a chisel, or a wall chaser.
- A level and tape measure.
Safety is not an extra
- Choose insulated tools marked with their voltage rating (1000V).
- Switch off the breaker and test before you touch.
- Replace tools whose insulation is cracked.
Products picked for this guide
FAQ
What does "insulated to 1000V" mean?
The handle is built and tested to insulate up to 1000 volts and is marked accordingly. An ordinary rubber-grip tool is not electrically insulated, even if it looks it.
Multimeter or clamp meter?
They complement each other: a multimeter for voltage, continuity and resistance; a clamp meter for current without opening the circuit. Beginners buy the multimeter first.