It has been well reported by now that, in the US, working as an electrician is one of the most lucrative trade roles you can take. With electricians in extremely high demand, pay rates for electrical contractors have risen – inspiring a new generation to consider taking on a vocation in the field. If you are one of those people, you might be wondering what working as an electrician looks like. What follows is a breakdown of some of the electrician’s most essential tools, giving an insight into the nature of the work.
Digital Multimeter (DMM)
The digital multimeter, or DMM, is the single most useful piece of kit that any electrician can possess. It is a comprehensive piece of kit that enables the measurement of voltage, current, hfE and continuity amongst other key tasks.
For domestic electricians, the DMM can be extremely helpful in identifying which cables are which – and for establishing continuity in terminal connections made. For the electrical engineer, it is an essential diagnostic tool that can help with the examination of faulty appliances and equipment.
Wire Strippers
A good pair of wire strippers is incalculably valuable for the working electrician to possess. Wires and terminal connections are a constant in the day-to-day life of the electrician, whether making connections to outlets and breaker boxes or wiring up appliances and devices.
Wire strippers are expressly designed to remove the insulative sheath from the ends of wires without damaging the copper within, allowing electricians to make strong mechanical connections. Adjustable strippers exist that automatically adjust to the gauge of wire being stripped, but different sizes are a must-own for electricians.
Components
Technically speaking, there is a distinction between electrician and electrical engineer. Electricians are tasked with larger infrastructural projects, from the wiring of mains electricity and lighting in domestic properties to utilities management and control panel wiring in major industrial centers. Electrical engineers, meanwhile, touch everything from electrical appliance repairs to product design and iteration – again on any level from domestic to industrial.
As a worker with the right qualifications and experience, it can be incredibly useful to wear many different hats within electrical work. To this end, it can be wise to keep a healthy supply of electrical components alongside wires and more conventional electrical outlets, fixtures and fittings. Spare battery holders make it easy to repair battery-powered appliances even just for testing purposes, while an array of passive components make it easy for you to effect urgent fixes between larger-scale projects.
Safety Boots
Electricity is a dangerous thing to work around; according to the National Fire Protection Association, around 126 workers died from electrocution in 2020 alone. Safety is paramount when working with electricity, and working electricians are acutely aware of this. This is why you will not find an electrician without a good pair of electrical hazard boots, which insulate the worker from ground – preventing high voltages from traveling through the worker to ground in the event of contact.