Electricians work with various tools while performing tasks that carry a high level of risk. The first part of this article talked about the five crucial tools that every electrician needs. To know more about electricity issues and how to solve them, get Electrician Classes.
Here are five more tools that are used by a certified electrician of Ascot Vale to work safely and effectively.
Five tools electricians need
Fish tapes
One of the most reliable tools of electricians that is fish tapes are used by the expert residential electrician in Sunshine Coast to pull and push solid or stranded wire through conduit and walls.The fish tape is deployed or retracted as required as it is wound on a reel, making it easy to grip.
Also called draw tape, cable feeding snake, fiberglass snakes, duct snakes, fiberglass duct rod, and fish tape guide different types of hauling ropes or cable through difficult access areas.
Available in different lengths, the fish tape can be pulled out of the casing wheel by pressing a button or pulling a lever near or on the handle. This action releases the tape, allowing the electrician to pull it out, which can then be fed into the conduit. Wires are attached to the tape when it emerges from the conduit’s other end. The tape can now be pulled back along with the wires through the conduit.
High quality fish tapes are comfortable and large handles that ensure a secure grip even when the electrician is wearing work gloves. Different types of fish tapes are available such as fiberglass tape suited for working with live circuits as well as steel tapes designed for everyday use in conduits with few bends and longer runs. There are also specific omnidirectional fish tapes for working with multiband applications.
Circuit Finder
Circuit breakers are common safety devices that protect electrical systems from power overloads and other electricity-related hazards. In many homes or buildings, the circuit directory or electrical service panel may not be easy to locate. Even when a circuit directory is found, the service panel rarely matches with its complementary breaker.
While it is easy to identify a circuit breaker when there is a short circuit or overload that trips the breaker, electricians who are working on a light or electrical fixture find it difficult to identify specific breakers that control light fixtures, switches, or outlets.
Circuit breaker finders make it easy for electricians to identify breakers. The breaker finder has two parts including a receiver and a transmitter. The transmitter is plugged into an outlet such as a light socket for which the circuit breaker has to be identified. The receiver – paired with the breaker finder’s transmitter – is moved over the breakers in the circuit breaker box.
The circuit finder’s detector then identifies the matching directory and can also be used to trace the directory. The best circuit breaker finders allow electricians to accurately and quickly find the matching circuit breaker and have flashing indicators that enable easy identification. The transmitter also has to be strong enough to transmit signals while having an auto power-off function to save on battery life.
Public Liability Insurance?
Data from Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council shows many injuries have occurred due to accidental contact with conductors while a number of incidents occurred during installations of equipment or appliances for customers. In 2016, out of the 18 people electrocuted, 67 percent were either members of the general public or were non-electrical workers.
The other types of accidents can relate to slips and falls where a customer can suffer an injury at their home when they trip over an electrical equipment or a wire that you are using. Your staff or an apprentice electrician can inadvertently damage the property of your client.
Property damage or bodily injuries that clients or the general public suffer as a result of your professional activities or negligence result in lawsuits. Without the right type of insurance, you will have to dig into your savings to bear the medical expenses for treatment of bodily injuries as well as the costs related to property damage.
The recommended way to ensure your financial health is protected is to buy Public Liability insurance from a reputed insurance provider. With comprehensive financial protection, you will have the peace of mind to continue working.
Power drills
Power tools, be it corded or cordless, are not only lightweight but pack more power. Ergonomic design makes these sophisticated tools safer and easier to use. Electricians most commonly use power tools such as drills and saws.
Every electrician uses different types of drills while the specific drill needed varies based on the application.What one electrician needs may not necessarily be needed by another. The extent of power required is dependent on the material that is being drilled. Electricians may use lower voltage power drills for fastening work while a hammer/drill offers more impact on concrete drilling.
Modern power tools feature lithium batteries that remove the hard work and hassle from an electrician’s job.
Multipurpose tools are also available that eliminate the need to use different tools on a job.
Power saw equipment is used to make clean cuts into materials such as metals. Spiral, cut-off, hole and portable band saws are some of the commonly used types of saws.
Labeling machines
Handheld labelling tools ensure proper labeling at installation that saves time when the electrician is making adds, changes or moves. The labelling machines can print bar codes while sorting and recalling lists with graphics memory.
Torch
Electricians often work in confined spaces such as the attic or basement and in poor light conditions. They need a powerful torch or a flashlight to get a clear view of what they need to install or repair. A bright torch needs to be accessible even when working in broad daylight.
While being an electrician is a rewarding career, these professionals have the immense responsibility for ensuring their clients, staff members and members of the public are safe and are not affected negatively by their activities. Despite high quality training that electricians receive and their best intentions, accidents can, unfortunately, happen.
Why do electricians need public liability insurance?
Data from Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council shows many injuries have occured due to accidental contact with conductors while a number of incidents occurred during installations of equipment or appliances for customers. In 2016, out of the 18 people electrocuted, 67 percent were either members of the general public or were non-electrical workers.
The other types of accidents can relate to slips and falls where a customer can suffer an injury at their home when they trip over an electrical equipment or a wire that you are using. Your staff or an apprentice electrician can inadvertently damage the property of your client.
Electricians are also required to have public liability insurance in some states in Australia in order to get or renew their contractor’s license.
Property damage or bodily injuries that clients or the general public suffer as a result of your professional activities or negligence result in lawsuits. Without the right type of insurance, you will have to dig into your savings to bear the medical expenses for treatment of bodily injuries as well as the costs related to property damage. These costs are prohibitive for both apprentices and seasoned professionals.
The recommended way to ensure your financial health is protected is to buy Public Liability insurance from a reputed insurance provider. With comprehensive financial protection, public liability insurance covers medical expenses and costs of property repair or replacement to give electricians the confidence they need to grow their business.