Tool bag space is always at a premium, so you need to make sure all the tools you carry pull their weight. The key to streamlining your tool bag is to select tools that are versatile, reliable, rugged, and compact. Plus, it helps if they offer multiple functions.
We recently asked electricians what they considered their top 5 essential tools—there were a few ties, so we’re sharing their top 7: a non-contact voltage tester, insulated hand tools, a clamp meter, multimeter, insulation tester, fluorescent light tester, and earth ground tester. These are the electrician’s must-have tools.
1. Non-contact voltage tester
Being able to measure voltage without test leads can save you time and keep you safer. The Fluke T6-1000 Electrical Tester with FieldSense technology and an open fork design slides over the conductor to easily measure voltage up to 1000 V ac and 200 A ac. And it fits in your pocket.
2. Insulated tools
Fluke’s new line of insulated hand tools meets the same stringent requirements for safety, reliability, and ergonomics as all Fluke tools. Precision engineered and forged from German CMV steel, Fluke insulated tools deliver a lifetime of service to help keep you safe.
Certified to 1000 V ac and 1500 V dc, Fluke’s insulated screwdrivers offer superior protection from electric shock and accidental drops on live equipment. Ergonomic handle adapts to user’s hand, causing less strain and work fatigue, and providing maximum torque.
Fluke’s heavy-duty combination lineman pliers deliver a secure, powerful grip through serrated jaws and a four-point gripping hole. Their slim shape makes it easier to grab wires in tight spaces and takes up less space in your bag. And they’re 20% lighter than similar pliers.
Fluke’s long nose pliers with a slim jaw design perform double duty. Unique milled wave pattern gripping zones and four gripping points for pulling round objects, provide a non-slip grip. Plus, you can cut wires on the side cutting edge.
3. Clamp meter
Clamp the Fluke 376 FC True-RMS Clamp Meter to the conductor and read current measurements on your smart phone at a safe distance from the arc flash zone. Measure up to 1000 A ac/dc and log and trend measurements to capture intermittent faults. Create and send reports right from the field.
4. Multimeter
The Fluke 117 Digital Multimeter was designed by electricians for electricians to provide key measurement features—10 A, resistance, continuity, frequency, and capacitance—along with integrated non-contact voltage detection, Auto Volts, and LoZ functions. Just what you need to work more accurately and productively.
5. Insulation tester
With the Fluke 1587 FC Insulation Tester you get a digital insulation tester integrated with a full featured, true-rms digital multimeter in one compact instrument. Use it to identify insulation problems and read and save the results right on the meter. Or read the results remotely and share with colleagues via your smartphone.
6. Fluorescent light tester
Take the trial and error out of maintaining fluorescent lighting and save a lot of time with the Fluke 1000FLT Fluorescent Light Tester. Performs five essential fluorescent lighting tests with one compact device. Tests lamp, ballast, non-contact voltage, pin continuity, and ballast-type discriminator. Drop tested to survive a six-foot drop.
7. Earth ground tester
The Fluke 1630-2 FC Stakeless Earth Ground Clamp measures earth ground ac leakage without installing auxiliary test stakes. With this earth ground tester, there’s no need to disconnect parallel grounds. Makes it easier to conduct ground tests inside buildings, on power pylons, and anywhere you can’t access the soil to place test stakes. Wirelessly connects to a mobile app so you can view and save measurements remotely and share with your team.