EE00

DEGREE BS in Electrical COURSE NO. EE00

PROGRAM Engineering
SPECIALIZATION N/A COURSE TITLE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
TECHNOLOGY
YEAR LEVEL 1st Year TIME FRAME WK NO. IM NO. 03

I. LESSON TITLE

1 Different types of Tools and Equipment

2 Electrical supplies and Materials

II. LESSON OVERVIEW

This lesson provides the students an idea on the different types of tools and equipment used by
electrician. the electrical supplies and materials used in electrical systems and installations.

III. DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Familiarize the different types of tools and equipment used by electricians.

2. Differentiate Tools and Materials

IV. LESSON CONTENT

Electrical tools and equipment: These include various hand tools, power tools, and testing
equipment used by electricians and technicians to install, maintain, and troubleshoot electrical
systems.

1. DIFFERENT TYPES OF TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

Every electrician needs basic hand tools to perform everyday tasks, Fortunately, today's basics
are better than older models, providing more comfort and safety than their predecessors.
Manufacturers have made tools more 'ergonomically correct,' and improved designs help cut down
on hand and wrist injuries often caused by repetitive movement. Plus, they make it easier to
perform the same motion over and over because the tools just feel more comfortable. While today's
designs may provide more safety and comfort, they're still the basic hand tools electricians have
been using for years.

17 COMMON ELECTRICAL TOOLS (Thiele, 2021)

a. Push-Pull Rule

This is used for all kinds of field measurements, such as setting heights for switches and
outlets, centering lighting fixture boxes, and marking surfaces for cutouts.

b. Hammer

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A hammer is used to secure electrical boxes equipped with nail-on brackets to wall studs
and other framing members in a home. You will also need one to drive wire staples when
anchoring new electrical cable to framing members.

c. Torpedo Level

A small level, such as a torpedo level, fits easily in a tool pouch and is used to make
sure your work is level and plumb. A great installation starts with level boxes and straight switch
and outlet covers.

A torpedo level should be part of every homeowner's standard toolkit; it will have plenty
of uses beyond electrical work.

d. Flashlight

Electrical repair and improvement work involves a lot of dark places, from attics and
basements to wall and ceiling cavities, to the insides of electrical boxes. A tactical flashlight is
needed as much for safety as it is for convenience. A couple of hand flashlights and a headlamp
are good additions to an DIY electrician's toolbox.

e. Utility Knife

A utility knife, or box cutter, is handy for cutting sheathing from non-metallic (Romex)
cable, to cut off electrical tape, and to open cardboard boxes.

f. Phillips Screwdriver

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Electricians always keep screwdrivers with them, for removing and installing cover
plates, outlets, switches, and many other devices. It's best to have a few different lengths of
Phillips screwdrivers, as well as #1, #2, and #3 tip sizes.

Screwdrivers with insulating rubber jackets covering the handles are designed for better
safety when doing electrical work.

g. Straight-Blade Screwdrivers

As with Phillips screwdrivers, you will likely need more than one size of straight-blade
screwdrivers. If you have to choose just one, pick a medium blade; it will suit most projects.

Straight-blade screwdrivers are also available with insulated handles for better safety
when doing electrical work.

h. Allen Wrench Set (Hex Set)

Allen wrenches are used to tighten hex-head screws, which are sometimes found on
ceiling fans, light fixtures, and appliances. It's a good idea to own both a metric and a standard
set of Allen wrenches.

i. Tongue-and-Groove Pliers

Tongue-and-groove pliers are known by many names, including channel-lock, groove

joint, tongue-and-groove, and straight-jaw pliers. This tool is most often used for plumbing work,
but a pair of tongue-and-groove pliers also has many uses for electrical projects. It will see
frequent use for removing knockouts from metal electrical boxes, tightening cable clamps, and
adjusting expansion-type ceiling fan boxes.

j. Non-Contact Voltage Tester

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Perhaps the most important specialty electrical tool you can own is a voltage tester. A
voltage tester is used for a quick safety check to make sure there's no voltage in an electrical
wire or device before you start working on it. Non-contact voltage testers, powered by batteries,
are the simplest and safest types of testers because they can detect electricity just by being
near an outlet slot or wire.

This is a tool every DIYer needs in the toolbox. It will be used for virtually every home
electrical repair project.

k. Wire Strippers

Another essential electrical specialty tool for homeowners is a good pair of wire
strippers. Wire strippers are used to cut and strip insulation from electrical wires. A wire stripper
tool has a row of gauged holes for stripping wires of different sizes, and it usually includes
cutting jaws for trimming the wire ends. Some types are combination tools that can also be used
to crimp wires and to strip the vinyl jacket off NM cable.

Along with a voltage tester, this is perhaps the most important specialty electrical tool
you can own. It makes sense to invest in a good set of wire strippers, as it will serve many
functions.

l. Needle-Nose Pliers

Another essential specialty electrical tool is a pair of needle-nose pliers (also called long-
nose pliers). It will be used for bending and twisting wires whenever you are making screw-
terminal connections. The long, narrow tip makes this a great tool for detailed work. Most
needle-nose pliers also include cutting jaws for trimming wires.

m. Linesman Pliers

A pair of linesman pliers is an electrician's do-it-all tool. It has a squared-off end that is
great for twisting wires together, a center cutting blade for trimming wire, and a grip area
between the handles for pulling wire.

Casual DIYers may be able to get by without this tool, but anyone who does regular
electrical work will want to own a pair of linesman pliers.

n. Diagonal Cutting Pliers

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Diagonal cutting pliers, sometimes called side snips or dikes, are used to cut wires. They
are specially designed with a cutting edge that goes down to the tip of the jaws, allowing you to
get into tight areas to trim wires. Some types can also have a built-in voltage detector to sense
live wires. You can also find combination tools that include wire-stripping slots built into the
handles.
This is a second-tier specialty tool: Casual DIYers may not need it, but those who do
regular electrical work will find it very useful.

o. Fish Tape

A fish tape is used to pull stranded or solid wire conductors through metal or PVC
conduit. Cable lube is available to assist you in pulling the wires through the conduit. A fish tape
can also be helpful when you are pulling NM cable through wall cavities.

This is a tool used when making wiring improvements, such as adding or extending
circuits. Casual DIYers who are simply making electrical repairs or replacements rarely need a
fish tape, but it is a good tool for more advanced DIYers to own.

p. Voltmeter or Multimeter

A voltmeter is used to read voltage levels and verify that circuits are “live” or off. Unlike a
circuit tester, this tool gives you reading on how much voltage is being carried. More
sophisticated forms of the tool are known as multimeters, and they can not only read voltage
levels but also amperage, resistance, and DC voltage and amperage. They do, however,
require practice to learn how to use them properly.

This specialty tool is used mostly by advanced DIYers and professional electricians.
Casual DIYers may not need to own this tool, but those who do a lot of electrical work on
appliances and electronics may find it essential.

q. Wire Crimpers

Wire crimpers are used to crimp lugs or connection terminals onto wires. This tool is not
often used for routine circuit repairs, but it has many uses when working with appliances or
electronics. Many types can also be used to strip wire insulation.

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This specialty tool is not needed by every DIYer, since some of the key functions can be
performed by other tools you already have. But if you routinely work on appliances, it can be a
useful tool to own.

OTHER HAND TOOLS:

 ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS

Electrical materials are developed and constructed for a special purpose such as to:

• control the flow of current in an electrical circuit;

• carry electrical current from the source to the load or current consuming apparatus;
• hold and secure wires to its fixtures inside and outside houses and buildings; and
• protect the houses, buildings, appliances and instruments from any destruction and damage.

Electrical supplies and materials refer to the various components and equipment used in
electrical systems and installations. These include:

Wires and cables: Used to transmit electrical power and signals from one point to another.
Electrical boxes and enclosures: These are containers used to house electrical components,
wires, and connections for safety and organization.

Circuit breakers and fuses: These are protective devices that interrupt the flow of current in
an electrical circuit when there is an overload or short circuit, preventing damage to equipment
or electrical fires.

Switches and outlets: These are devices that control the flow of electricity to appliances and
devices, allowing users to turn them on or off.

Lighting fixtures: These include bulbs, lamps, and fixtures used for general illumination or
specific purposes, such as task lighting or accent lighting.

Transformers: These are devices used to convert electrical power from one voltage level to
another, allowing electricity to be used in different types of equipment.

Conduit and raceways: These are channels used to protect and organize wires and cables,
and can be made of metal, plastic, or other materials.

Electrical connectors and terminals: These are components used to connect wires and
cables together, and can be crimped, soldered, or screwed onto the wire ends.

These are some of the common electrical supplies and materials used in electrical systems and
installations.

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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 usually
fastened on the wall or connected in an extension cord.
It maybe single, duplex, triplex or multiplex and could be
surface type or flush typ.

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
devices or appliance.

Receptacle Devices that hold and protect the lamp and are also
called as lamp sockets. These come in many designs
and sizes. They are classified as hanging, flush and
surface types

Switch A device that connects and disconnects the flow of

electric current in a circuit. There are many design,
shapes and types and they are classified as hanging,
flush and surface types

Fuse A circuit protective device that automatically blows and

cut the current when an overload or short circuit
happens

Circuit breaker A protective device that is automatically blows and cuts

the current when trouble in the circuit such as short

Junction box with cover 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

Utility box An electrical utility box is typically a rectangular, open-

faced box mounted in a wall. It serves to house an
electrical device, such as an electrical receptacle or
switch or a GFI (ground fault interrupter). Electrical
wiring, such as a flexible cable and wiring through rigid
conduit, is routed into the utility box via openings in the
box walls. The wiring is connected to the electrical
device in the box.
Electrical wire An electrical wire is a conductor, a material which
conducts electricity. For household wiring, the material
is either copper or aluminium (or copper-sheathed
aluminium), although aluminum is not really used
anymore. It can be stranded wire or solid metal
conductor and, in most cases, it is insulated, using a
non conductive plastic coating.
Electrical conduits
Electrical materials used as a passage of wires for
protection and insulation. These could be rigid metallic,
flexible metallic conduit (FMC) rigid nonmetallic (PVC)

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and flexible non metallic or corrugated plastic conduit

(CPC)

clamp Electrical materials used to hold and anchor electrical

conduits in its proper position

Connectors Used to attach metallic or non metallic conduit to the

junction or utility boxes

Thiele, T. (2021, March 03). Retrieved from https://www.thespruce.com: https://www.thespruce.com/top-electrical-tools-

1152575
National Fire Protection Association, 2021
National Electric Code, 2020

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