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We've all got a tool kit, but ever wondered what prized tools are among another electrician's most prized tools? We chatted to sparky John Tusa from Sydney-based Tusa Electrics; about the equipment he relies on every day to get the job done. Some tools are a necessity, designed to make the job easier, while others are a lifeline, used for workplace safety*.
John specialises in residential, commercial and industrial rewiring, switchboard upgrades, lighting, hot-water systems, fire alarms, security cameras, surge protection and solar installation and completes other general electrical work. So, he knows his stuff.
“These are everyday tools electricians use frequently,” John says. “I mainly use insulated pliers to cut cables and twist two or three cables together. They must always be insulated so I don’t get electrocuted.
“It’s the same with screwdrivers, which I use to screw connectors or screw a cable onto an appliance – they always have to be insulated.”
“I use a cordless drill to tighten screws all the time,” he says. “I use the 12-volt drill to screw everything up, then use an insulated screwdriver to ensure it is all tight. Being cordless, it is very flexible and handy for getting into tight corners and being manoeuvrable in small spaces. Plus, I can take it anywhere.”
“I use my staple gun frequently,” John says. “Instead of using cable clips, I use it to staple cables to surfaces such as rafters and timber beams. It makes the work a lot quicker, especially on big jobs. Without it, I would have to use cable clips and a hammer, but with this it just goes bang, bang, bang and they’re in.”
“I always carry a test lamp on me [to determine the presence of electricity to an object] and also use a non-contact instant voltage detector,” he says. “However, you don’t want to only trust a voltage detector for an indication of live power that might be around because they run on batteries. If you put it on a cable and it doesn’t light up, it could actually be because its batteries are dead. My advice is you should never cut through cables after testing with just a voltage detector in case it’s simply a battery issue.”
“I also use test lamps, which are a good indication of whether there is live power at a power point or not. An RCD tester is a tool we can plug into a power point to tell us if it is connected correctly. There is a button on it to trip the breaker and that’s a test to say the RCD breaker in the board is working correctly.”
“Multimeters are essential in the electrical trade,” John says. “They accurately test for a lot of things, including currents and how many of them are running through a circuit. They also test for DC power, how much DC voltage is in a circuit, and continuity in a circuit.”
“It has two prongs and a screen, and you put the prongs across the cable to determine how much voltage it is. You push a button and clamp it around the cable to do an amp test and determine how much current is going through the circuit.”
“Side cutters are used to cut cable ties,” John says. “After zip ties are pulled through, there is the leftover bit that hangs at the end. Side cutters trim the end of the cable tie to take away sharp edges and make it flush so if you run your hand over it, it won’t cut your fingers. It’s such a simple piece of equipment but does an important jo
“This tool is used for working with a comms cable,” John says. “If you have a RJ45 comms port in the wall to plug in a computer, you need a punch down tool to terminate [ethernet cables] by inserting the cable wires into the insulation-displacement connectors [on punch down blocks, patch panels, keystone modules and surface mount boxes]. At the back of the port, you basically spread out all your cables and it punches them in place. Very handy.”
For more ideas for how to protect your tools from theft.
Disclaimer: Any hardwired electrical work must be carried out by a licensed trade (use licensed, not qualified)
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.