As a professional electrician, your safety and productivity depend on having the right tools to tackle any repair or maintenance job. Building a comprehensive professional electrician toolkit isn’t easy or inexpensive. It's common sense to start with the tools you use commonly in your projects, and build your collection in time.

The following are 9 tools and accessories every professional electrician should own. Although the initial investment is not negligible, these tools will save you money and make you more productive from day one.

Wire Strippers

Electrical repairs often require the removal of wire insulation. Wire strippers vary in functionality, from those that feature precise holes for each gauge of wire, to automatic wire strippers that self-adjust to accommodate a wide range of wire gauges. Many models also feature a wire cutter and crimper built-in.

Wire Cutters

In addition to stripping wire insulation, some electrical wires will also need to be cut. In case your wire stripper doesn't have a cutter built-in, using a high-quality wire cutter can make it easy to remove damaged wiring during many common electrical jobs. Wire cutters with insulated handles is always a good investment, as they provide protection against electrical shock, while preserving the functionality of regular wire cutters.

Insulated Lineman’s Pliers

Electricians use lineman’s pliers to grip, twist, cut, and bend electrical wiring. The design of this must-have tool enables it to create a high degree of force and increased accuracy, which helps with a wide range of operations.The tapered outside edges are suitable for reaming the rough edge of conduits, or clean sharp metal from inside a junction box.

Insulated Needle-Nose Pliers

This tool is ideal for reaching in confined areas to access and pull cables and wires that are stuck. Needle nose pliers also allows professional electricians to hold and cut wires.  and are used in a variety of trades in addition to electrical repair. The unique design of this tool provides you with a high level of control and accuracy. It has a cutting edge that makes the tool versatile for any electrician.

Voltage Tester

One of the most important electrician tools is the voltage tester. If an electrical appliance isn’t working, you can use this tool to determine if the cause is related to the lack of an electrical current or if the appliance is damaged. It can also provide more safety by allowing you to check for a current after you’ve turned off a circuit breaker.

Insulated Screwdrivers

Screwdrivers are essential in any toolbox. But for electricians, using insulated screwdrivers prevents the risk of electrical shock when working with live currents. Insulated screwdrivers can typically withstand up to 1,000 volts. Your toolbox should have a variety of sizes in slotted, Phillips and square recess head design.

Battery Tester

A battery tester is another valuable tool for troubleshooting during an electrical repair job. It can be difficult to determine if a faulty battery is to blame for the issue you’re addressing. Also, if you have spare batteries to use for replacement, you can use a battery tester to determine if they can still be used, which helps reduce the waste that occurs when purchasing new batteries.

Multimeter

The biggest benefit of a multimeter is its ability to test different electrical measurement properties. These include current, resistance, and AC or DC voltage. This ability makes it easy to troubleshoot electrical breakdowns. A multimeter can also test your local power sources and switches. There are analog and digital multimeters available to meet your electrician needs.

Electrical Tape

No electrician’s toolbox is complete without electrical tape. This tape allows you to insulate electrical wiring and is made of plastic or vinyl. It’s an elastic material that makes it sensitive to pressure and provides insulation properties that last a long time. Some types of electrical type are made with fiberglass cloth and are typically used for class H insulation.

Wire Nuts

Wire nuts are simple, but essential, tools for your electrician’s toolkit. They can be used to fasten multiple wires and come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit your needs. They are made from a combination of plastic and a coiled insert made of metal. The insert is what allows the nut to hold the wires together and maintain the electrical current. Wire nuts should be on hand at all times in order to ensure that you can complete your electrical repair without the need for additional materials.

Working in the electrical field requires proper training and a high level of professionalism in tacking electrical repair and maintenance needs in order to prevent unwanted incidents. Have the right electrical tools in order to complete your repair quickly and easily is what separates a good electrician from the rest.