Electricians would most likely be at the top of a list of those who use the most power tools. The modern electrician has access to more tools (and more capable ones) than any generation that has come before us. Advances in battery technology, brushless motors and compact electronics have greatly expanded what cordless equipment can accomplish. Tasks that once required bulky corded power tools or manual labor can now be completed with a compact battery-powered tool that fits easily in a toolbox or bag.

Most electricians already carry the essential cordless tools: a drill, impact driver and perhaps a reciprocating saw. But beyond these lies a category of specialized cordless tools designed to improve productivity. No matter what type of work we do, each of us face different challenges. Tool manufacturers have responded and come out with products tailored to each environment.

This article explores several additional cordless tools to consider adding to an arsenal. From speeding up cable installation in residential construction to improving accuracy in commercial installations and simplifying the troubleshooting process in renovation/service work, choosing the right equipment can significantly improve job site efficiency and overall safety.

DeWalt 20V Max cordless cable stapler		Ideal Industries Powerblade cable-cutter

Residential

Residential electricians spend a considerable amount of time performing rough-in work, which includes installing cables, drilling wooden framing members and prepping the circuits before the drywall is hung and finished. In this type of environment, tools that increase speed while reducing physical strain on the body can affect productivity. Two tools that fall into this category are the cordless cable stapler and cordless right angle drill.

Ask any old-school residential electrician and they will more than likely tell you that using a hammer and NM cable staples to secure cable is the way to go. While effective, the process is repetitive and time consuming. It is also easy to overdrive the staple and damage the insulation or miss the staple entirely and damage the cable with the hammer head. There are better solutions.

The 20V Max cordless cable stapler from Dewalt Tools, Towson, Md., is built to mitigate these issues. By replacing traditional methods with a powered version, it speeds up installations and is easier on the body in the long run by removing the repetitive motion involved with swinging a hammer. The tool also provides consistent staple depth that reduces the risk of damaging the insulation. To aid in accuracy, the stapler also has a guide on the snout that helps users line up the shots, which ensures the cable staple is placed exactly where it is needed.

Residential electricians also spend a lot of time drilling the wooden studs to run NM cables through. Sure, we could use a standard drill bit or spade bit with our cordless drill. But considering that we drill hundreds of holes daily, that wreaks havoc on the drills, and most bits would not last that long. For years, corded right angle drills and ship auger type bits have been the go-to solution for this task. Ship auger bits have much better longevity, but that left us with having to drag around a cord all over the job site.

Milwaukee Tool, Brookfield, Wis., has improved on its Hole Hawg drill with the introduction of the M18 Fuel Super Hawg ½-inch right angle drill. The cordless version has been redesigned to produce corded tool power, working just as fast and giving users the ability to drill more than 100 holes per charge. The tool also features a mechanical clutch when used at slow speeds that protects the users’ arms and wrists should the drill become bound up. Rounding out the features is a ½-inch all-metal chuck to hold large ship auger type bits and an LED light to illuminate dark workspaces.

Commercial and industrial

Commercial and industrial electrical installations often involve larger conductors, heavier-duty equipment/materials and more stringent installation requirements than a typical residential job. In these environments, precision and reliability take a more pivotal role than simple installation speed. Digital cordless torque wrenches and powered cable cutters designed for heavy-duty electrical work are becoming increasingly popular on commercial/industrial job sites.

Milwaukee Tool’s M12 Fuel 3/8-inch digital torque wrench speeds up installation times with more control, reducing over-torquing. The motor gives users a quicker installation time and can produce from 10 to 100 ft.-lbs. of torque. With a digital display, the tool is much easier to set to the desired torque than a standard torque wrench and is equipped with several modes indicating reaching, meeting or exceeding the torque target. Validation of torques is important on today’s job site, and this wrench will also record all the fasteners saved and produce a downloadable report through its onboard electronics.

Milwaukee Tool M18 Fuel Super Hawg 1/2-in. right angle drill

Another valuable tool for commercial or industrial installations is a cordless cable cutter. They are designed to quickly and efficiently cut through the large copper or aluminum conductors on feeders and service entrances. Compared to manual cutters, cordless versions reduce the physical effort required when working with larger cables.

While most electricians are familiar with powered cable cutters, Ideal Electrical, Sycamore, Ill., offers a model based on a slightly different approach. The Powerblade cable cutter is designed to be used with a cordless drill, which we more than likely have within arm’s reach anyway. The cutter’s capacity will slice through cables up to 750 kcmil copper or 1,000 kcmil aluminum, making it capable of handling most installations. The blades are hardened and rounded in design to minimize cable distortion and provide clean cuts. By pairing the cutter with a drill, it eliminates having to purchase an entire power tool to do just one task.

Renovation and service

Those electricians who work in renovation, maintenance and service environments often face a whole different set of challenges compared to new construction. In lieu of installing new systems from scratch, we find ourselves having to diagnose problems, modify an existing installation and work carefully in finished spaces. For this type of work, versatility and precision are often more important than just raw power. Tools such as oscillating saws and inspection cameras can improve a service electrician’s work life.

Milwaukee Tool’s M18 cordless multitool is designed for these scenarios because it can perform a wide variety of cutting and trimming tasks using interchangeable blades. The motor delivers up to 18,000 oscillations per minute, making it cut relatively quickly, and it is ideal for tasks including cutting openings in drywall for remodel boxes, trimming wood framing for conduit or cable or flush cutting screws and nails that are in the way. Because the blade moves back and forth in a small arc in lieu of spinning, it allows for extremely controlled cuts, making it a smart choice when working near finished surfaces.

Another valuable diagnostic tool is an inspection camera. In service or remodeling work, we frequently encounter situations where we cannot physically see everything we need to see to fix or modify something. We do not always have the luxury of cutting large openings in the wall or removing pieces of equipment to access a space, so having a small camera at the end of a flexible probe can really help.

Klein Tools pro borescope		Ferret Tools Ferret Thermal wireless inspection camera bundle

Lincolnshire, Ill.-based Klein Tools’ utility borescope features a small water-resistant camera on the end of a 10-foot snake that can be inserted into wall cavities, conduits, ceilings or equipment enclosures to enable users to see what they normally could not. The tool has a 43/10-inch screen for clear viewing, and the camera is surrounded by six bright LED lights that are adjustable to four different levels. The device can also transfer photos and videos through a USB-C interface to provide documentation on findings.

Aukland, New Zealand-based Ferret Tools’ Thermal wireless inspection camera bundle includes the wireless imaging camera, a 30-ft. extendable alloy pole with an adjustable camera mount, a Ferret stick and wristband. Attaching the camera to the stick, pole or a glow rod gives users extended-reach thermal vision. Photos are saved to the app with full thermography data. It is powered by a Flir thermal sensor and features an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, rugged waterproof design, lightweight 2 oz. construction, 2-hour battery and 5 year warranty. 

Tools for everyone

At the end of the day, the best tools are those that match the type of work we are performing. By considering specialized cordless tools designed for our specific field, we can build a tool kit that improves productivity, reduces physical strain on our bodies and enhances the overall quality of the installations.

DeWalt, Ferret Tools, Ideal Industries, Klein Tools, Milwaukee Tool