Electrical Tools and Materials PDF

Electrical Tools and Equipment Electrical tasks can be accomplished systematically to save time, effort, and resources. Most of the work cannot be done using bare hands. To do the task, electrical tools or equipment are needed to perform the job. This lesson will discuss the function/use of each too...

Electrical Tools and Equipment Electrical tasks can be accomplished systematically to save time, effort, and resources. Most of the work cannot be done using bare hands. To do the task, electrical tools or equipment are needed to perform the job. This lesson will discuss the function/use of each tool or equipment used in electrical wiring installations. The following are common electrical tools and equipment needed in the installation of electrical wiring. I. SCREWDRIVERS. These tools are made of steel hardened and tempered at the tip used to loosen or tighten screws with slotted heads. They come in various sizes and shapes. A. Standard/Flat Screwdriver. The blade tip is wedge-shaped and resembles a negative (-) sign. This is used to drive screws with a single slot head. B. Philips Screwdriver. This has a cross tip resembling a positive (+) sign. This is used to drive screws with cross slot heads. C. Stubby Screwdriver. This comes in either Standard or Philips screwdriver with short shank or blade and a shorted handle used to turn screws in tight spaces where a standard screwdriver cannot be used. D. Allen Screwdriver/Wrench. This could be in the shape of a screwdriver or a wrench. Its function is to drive screws with hexagonal slot heads. II\. HAMMERS. These are tools used in driving or pounding and pulling out nails. They are made of hard steel, wood, plastic, or rubber. The following are types of hammers: A. Claw hammer B. Mallet(rubber head) C. Ballpeen hammer. III\. PLIERS. These tools are made from metal with insulators in the handle and are used for cutting, twisting, bending, holding, and gripping wires and cables. A. Combination Pliers (Lineman's Pliers). This is used for gripping, holding, and cutting electrical wires and cables and even small nails. They are usually used by linemen in doing heavy tasks. B. Side Cutting Pliers. This type of pliers is used for cutting fine, medium, and big wires and cables. C. Long Nose Pliers. This is used for cutting and holding fine wires. This can reach tight spaces or small openings where other pliers cannot reach and is also used in making terminal loops of copper wires. IV\. Wire Stripper. This is a tool used for removing insulation of medium-sized wires ranging from gauge \#10 to gauge \#16. V. Electrician's Knife. This is used by linemen to remove insulation of wire and cables in low and high voltage transmission lines. VI\. Portable Electric drill. A small drilling machine with a chuck capacity of ¼‖ to 3/8‖. It is used in making holes on metal sheets and concrete walls. VII\. Hacksaw. This tool is used to cut metal conduit and armored cable. Electrical Supplies and Materials Electrical materials are developed and constructed for a special purpose, such as to: 1\. control the flow of current in an electrical circuit; 2\. carry electrical current from the source to the load or current consuming apparatus; 3\. hold and secure wires to its fixtures inside and outside houses and buildings; and 4\. protect houses, buildings, appliances, and instruments from destruction and damage. The following are the most commonly used electrical materials. Convenience outlet- a device that acts as a convenient source of electrical energy for current consuming appliances. It is where the male plug of an appliance is inserted and is usually fastened on the wall or connected in an extension cord. It may be single, duplex, triplex, or multiplex and could be surface type or flush type. Male plug- a device inserted to a convenience outlet to conduct electric current. A flat cord is attached to it on one end and the other end is connected to a current-consuming instrument or appliance. Lamp holders- devices that hold and protect the lamp and are also called Lamp Sockets/Receptacles. These come in many designs and sizes. They are classified as flush, hanging (weather proof/chain), and surface types. Switch - a device that connects and disconnects the flow of electric current in a circuit. There are many shapes, designs, and types and they are classified as hanging, flush, and surface types. Fuse - a circuit protective device that automatically blows and cuts the current when overload or short circuit happens. Circuit Breaker - a protective device used to automatically blow and cut the current when trouble in the circuit such as short circuit or overload occurs. Junction Box - an octagonal shaped electrical material where the connections or joints of wires are being done. It is also where the flush type lamp holder is attached. This could be made of metal or plastic (PVC) Polyvinylchloride. Utility Box - a rectangular shaped metallic or plastic (PVC) material in which flush type convenience outlet and switch are attached. Flat Cord - a duplex stranded wire used for temporary wiring installation and commonly used in extension cord assembly. It comes in a roll of 150 meters and sizes of gauge \# 18 and gauge \# 16 awg (American wire gauge). Electrical Wire/Conductor- electrical material that could be: a. Stranded wire which is made of multiple strands joined together to make a single wire. b. Solid wire is made of a single strand of copper or aluminum wire. These are used in wiring installation inside and outside the buildings. Conduits/Pipes- electrical materials used as the passage of wires for protection and insulation. These could be rigid metallic, flexible metallic conduit (FMC), rigid nonmetallic (PVC), and flexible non-metallic or corrugated plastic conduit (CPC). Clamps- electrical materials used to hold and anchor electrical conduits to their proper position. Connectors- used to attach metallic or non-metallic conduit to the junction or utility boxes.