Jan 25, 20233 min read

Top 5 Tools Every Electrical Apprentice Should Have

As an apprentice electrician, you'll need a wide variety of tools, but it might need to be clarified to figure out which ones you'll use. Some resources are necessary from the get-go, while others may be acquired as your customer base grows.

Depending on the apprenticeship program, an apprentice electrician may be given tools or be required to buy their own. In the end, however, every aspiring electrician wants his or her own professional-grade toolkit.

Below, you'll discover a list of the five most standard electrical tools. Some electrical work calls for more sophisticated equipment, but the tools below are a terrific place to start.

1. Insulated Screwdrivers

Useful in any toolkit. The numerous sorts of screws you'll meet every day, from wood screws to machine screws, need a wide range of screwdrivers. To avoid injury from electrical shock or arcing, use only screwdrivers rated for use with voltages up to 1000 volts.

2. Side Cutters

These strong pliers help trim wires to precise measurements. Find a pair that has an insulated grip and smooth mechanical properties like the essential pliers up top. If you invest in a high-quality pair, these pliers will last much longer than any cheap alternatives.

Most Sparkies carry a variety of them, but the following are the workhorses of their trade:

Traditional Pliers – cutting/stripping wires and handy for removing nails
Long Nose Pliers – the thin, grasping ends make it easy to hold or grab when fishing cable.
Side-Cutters – great for when you need to cut wires to specific lengths

3. Level

Torpedo levels help check whether or not a surface is flat, but they could be better for use in larger spaces. The torpedo level may be used in any opening between 6 and 12 inches in diameter. You will be required to work in tight quarters as an electrician. A torpedo level will ensure that your level is compatible with them. But it had better be good when you depend on only one tool to keep your project organized. With preemptive testing, this may be easier.

4. Hammer

Using a screwdriver for electrical work at a building site is not a good idea. Be aware of the claw hammer's widespread availability; it's essential equipment for everyone who owns or leases property. You will often use a claw hammer as an apprentice electrician to pry out nails. With a claw hammer, you may quickly and easily pry out nails and wood planks to make way for cables. The hammer's grip has to be comfortable so you can swing it effectively.

5. Tape Measure

In the electrical industry, everyone has their own preferred look. Some prefer the broader models because they remain stable over extended periods. Some people choose rare earth magnet-equipped measuring tapes. Use whichever look you choose, but pick a tape measure with eye-catching hues. This tool is easily "lost," therefore, if you ever put it down on the work site, label it clearly so you can find it again.

As an electrician, you will encounter thousands of tools throughout your career and acquire hundreds for your own use.

The first step in starting a career as an apprentice electrician is acquiring the proper equipment. Never let your lack of experience show up in the workplace by always being prepared. If you want your tools to last a lifetime, you'll need to take care of them after you receive them.