Whether you’re an apprentice or about to start your business as an electrician, it can be overwhelming—especially with new tools and products released every year. To help you build out your toolbox, we put together this simple list of 21 essential tools every electrician needs.
Want more tips and resources delivered to your inbox? Subscribe to GoSite’s Blog for more small business tools of the trade.
One of the first tools you’ll be introduced to when training to become an electrician. This tool will come in handy for any job—big or small. And, as you take on more tasks, you’ll discover what kind of pliers you prefer and the type you need. Chances are, you’ll need more than a couple in your toolbox.
Investing in a solid pair of gloves geared toward electricians will help protect you from injury. You can find a list of different types of electrician gloves here.
A necessity for any pro, screwdrivers will help you in a variety of tasks. You’ll also need a few to cater to different types of screws and jobs.
Just like pliers and screwdrivers, the type of drill you need will depend on the work you signed up to do. A cordless drill is always a smart go-to, especially for jobs where you can’t get easy access to an outlet.
Electrical tape is an important tool to have, and fortunately, there are many options on the market. You probably already know this, but tape will prevent wires from crossing and help prevent any dangers that come with the gig.
Measuring is a given task on the job. Having a steel tape measure will ensure accuracy on any project.
You’ll want to keep a solid supply of saws, blades, and knives to help you with the job. The type you need will depend on each project, but spiral saws are very common go-tos for electricians.
Another essential safety tool is a pipe reamer to help you remove burrs from pipe ends.
To make your job easier, opt for an automatic wire stripper to strip any type of wire quickly.
Wire lugs will allow you to connect wires on several items such as appliances, other cables, and surfaces.
Keep your eyes safe with electrical safety goggles. The type of goggles you choose will depend on your preference, but we recommend having at least one backup pair.
A labeler can make a complicated task easier by labeling each piece of wire and cable.
The narrow band of fish tape will allow you to wire through walls and electrical conduits.
In addition to fish tape, it won’t hurt to add fish poles to your list. These poles can help you wire through difficult spaces.
Similar to a tape measure, a level will help you deliver polished and accurate work. If you’re working solo or on more complicated projects, we recommend getting a laser level.
Know what you're getting yourself into when it comes to any circuit with a digital multimeter. Measure two or more electrical values including volts, currents, and resistance.
A simple tool that every electrician needs to keep a flashlight handy. Depending on the job, you may need to have a headlamp.
A terminal block is insulated and is used to group multiple wires.
On the job, you’ll constantly need to connect wires. Be sure to have a pack or two of splicing connectors in your kit.
Another safety tool, a non-contact voltage tester will tell you whether any wire, switch, or outlet is live.
Lastly, you need a small business apps to help manage your business’ bookings, payments, reviews, website, and more. Opt for software that can integrate programs you already use and be accessed from your phone to run your business on the go. If you're ready to try the #1 platform built for service-based businesses, sign up for a free 14-day trial with GoSite.
This list of 21 essential tools may seem overwhelming, but you’ll be grateful when you have all these in tow for any job.