since the first crude ladder-like climbing device was used thousands of years ago, there have been fall hazards. Ladder manufacturers today make safety a top priority, and their products include multiple design features to...
Demolition hammers are one power tool category that hasn’t been taken over by lithium-ion batteries. Even though cordless demo hammers are available, electricians still depend on corded models to do difficult, repetitive...
Crimping is an effective and efficient method of making electrical and voice/data/video (VDV) connections. Properly used with correctly matched connector and wire, a crimped connection will meet applicable industry standards....
Working around or on live electric circuits exposes electricians to serious risks, and few today would disagree that power should be deactivated before performing any type of work. Even so, electricians often must work in...
Fire and safety issues, wasted energy, unexpected breakdowns, unnecessary wear on equipment, early replacement—these are some of the serious and costly problems that can result from improperly operating electric motors. To...
Self-contained portable light towers are widely used on commercial projects for outside construction at night and inside large structures before power is available. Light towers that are easy to transport and set up are...
The hole saw is an essential tool for installing a variety of fixtures. Although today’s hole saws look much like those sold for years, manufacturers have made continuous improvements for cleaner cutting and increased...
Most industrial and commercial projects require work at elevated heights, and electrical contractors today have available a wide variety of portable lift equipment options. They include small, push-around single-person models...
If there is a basic, must-have power tool, most electricians would agree it is a good drill/driver, and today that tool likely is a compact, powerful model powered by a lithium-ion battery. The first portable electric drill...
No electrical or datacom job is complete until components are properly labeled. Labeling today is a requirement, not an option, and accurate, easy-to-read labels are essential for future troubleshooting. The past few years...
Whether you are on a residential or industrial project, bending conduit is going to be required. For small jobs, hand benders are sufficient; for larger projects, there are multiple options. “The main benefit of hand benders...
Portable generators are invaluable for bringing power to work sites where no electricity is available and are essential for restoring services following storms and other disasters. Most electrical contractors have multiple...
Working around electricity is dangerous, and to reduce the risk of electric shock and electrocution, electricians depend on a variety of personal protective equipment (PPE), including clothing made of shock-resistant fabric,...
The digital multimeter (DMM) is a basic tool among the wide variety of testers available today. Following, six multimeter manufacturers discuss the latest trends in this essential product category. “The multimeter continues...
Pulling cable through conduit is a basic task in electrical work. While manual cable pullers are available and still used, most commercial jobs use electric-powered pullers with pulling forces up to 10,000 pounds. Recent...
The knockout tool is an example of how tools evolve to perform tasks easier, faster and more efficiently, thus helping electricians get more done in less time. Knockout tools—also called knockout punches—are a single-purpose...
Storing supplies and tools on job sites has always been a challenge. Large, portable storage boxes and cabinets are one solution, as are lockable portable cabinets and sturdy boxes. However, these are not a practical solution...
Advances in thermal imagers are affecting the way electricians monitor the operation of electrical systems. These devices provide an effective method to gather vital information about electrical components, cooling levels in...
For years, electricians carried a basic flashlight. While most people in the trade still use them, flashlights are nothing like they were even two years ago. First, the latest flashlights use LEDs. Many other compact...
Most tradespeople love gadgets. This is a report about interesting tools and devices not necessarily categorized for electrical work, but which electricians may find useful. Dictionaries define a gadget as a small...
