The right tool for the right job is always a good idea. If you plan to do some electrical work around the house, you should invest in a few tools. Here’s a list of the most common electrical tools.
Safety Tools
Safety is your first concern in working with electricity. If you have any questions about handling your house wiring, an expert electrician in Palmetto Bay can give you advice. He can also give you an estimate on having the work done professionally.
The basic safety tools are a light and a ladder. You may need to work with the lights off. A simple flashlight will do the trick. A nonconductive ladder (made of wood or fiberglass) will help you reach heights safely. Rubber-soled shoes are an extra precaution. A Miami electrician may use gloves, safety glasses and a hard hat on the job as well.
Measuring Devices and Testers
Putting in fixtures and outlets requires accurate placement. A tape measure allows you to measure up a wall. Keeping switches and outlets level is done with a torpedo level, which will help you line up items accurately.
A voltage detector registers the presence of current in a circuit. Always check circuitry before proceeding. If you cannot trace the source of a current, it’s a good idea to call for Miami electrician services.
Hand Tools
There are various cutters and pliers made especially for electrical work. A utility knife may be all you need for simple work. A wire cutter is more precise. A wire stripper allows you to cut the insulation off a wire without cutting through the wire. Pliers for close work include needle-nose pliers, for reaching into tight spaces, and side snips, which have a cutting edge running along one side. Linesman pliers have a square nose, a blade and a gripping surface for multiple uses. An electrician in Palmetto Bay will use all these tools and more. If the work you want to accomplish in your house seems too complicated for the tools you have at hand, by all means call in a professional Miami electrician.
Securing fixtures with nuts and bolts calls for wrenches of various sizes. A crescent wrench, which is adjustable, is a useful tool. You may already have a wrench set of graduated sizes. Screwdrivers will also come in handy. The two basic designs are a Phillips-head screwdriver, for screws with crossed indentations, and a flat screwdriver, for straight-line indentations. Choose from various sizes, depending on the size of the screw. Get screwdrivers with rubber handles to protect yourself from accidental shocks.
You’ll need a hammer. A hammer with a flat head and a claw should take care of most situations.
Accessories
A good, sturdy tool box will hold all this equipment. You can get a tool belt to wear while you work. This helps you have the particular tools you need close at hand. You don’t have to worry about setting your tools on a narrow ledge or losing a screw. A tool belt has multiple pockets to keep items organized and separate.
Electrical tape, which insulates, is a good item to carry with you. You can buy it in various colors to keep track of wiring.
These common electrical tools will help you accomplish simple electrical repairs. For advanced work, call a professional electrician in Palmetto Bay, who will have the advanced tools needed. These include stud finders for the walls and continuity testers for the wires that run through the walls. If your wiring is old, or if a circuit remains intermittent, do not hesitate to call in a professional Miami electrician.