Jeff Griffin

Drill bits, saw blades and other cutting accessories are designed to get maximum productivity from the latest cordless tools. They are made to cut cleanly and smoothly, which reduces tool wear, and they are durable for a...

Many electricians working today have been on the job for several years, and while their hand tools may not look much different than those they used as apprentices, important differences abound. Tool makers say today’s hand...

Bending electrical conduit is a common task for electricians, whether it’s a few bends in a house under construction or multiple bends of various angles at an industrial facility. Making the correct bend quickly and correctly...

Line work requires specialized tools. Because it involves rigging, working at heights, working while exposed to high voltage and electrical arc hazards, the tools lineworkers use are made by specialty manufacturers and are...

Circuit analysis falls into three broad categories: commissioning, preventative maintenance and troubleshooting, said Greg McMurphy, assistant director for VEEP, LMS and rigging curriculum and training for the IBEW-NECA...

Low-voltage systems in buildings serve communications, data, internet connection, Wi-Fi, security and surveillance, and other devices. Low-voltage voice/data/video (VDV) systems may be built around copper or fiber optic...

Online learning gained enormous popularity when in-person training sessions stopped during the pandemic. Tool manufacturers and suppliers have increased online training for operating, maintaining and safely using tools and...

Electric motors convert electricity into useful energy that keeps much of the world working. From refrigerators in homes to motors operating large machines in manufacturing plants, electric motors provide necessary power. In...

Working in trenches and excavations is one of the most dangerous jobs in construction. Prospects for rescuing workers buried alive when a trench wall collapses are not good. It takes a long time to hand-dig them out, and it’s...

A basic cordless drill is found in the tool bag of almost every electrician and workers in many other construction trades. Today, cordless drills are available in several sizes, and many are promoted to be as powerful, or...

In addition to basic hand tools, electricians also depend on single-purpose tools for specific applications. The knockout tool, or punch, is used to make clean, round, conduit-sized holes in metal electrical boxes and panels...

The Showstopper awards brought several hundred new products to NECA 2021 Nashville. Both in-person and online, the entries drew plenty of attention. The Showstopper judges—industry experts, educators and tool users—carefully...