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....
At the 2018 NECA Convention and Trade Show in Philadelphia, 22 exhibitors won Showstopper Awards. Sponsored by ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR, Showstoppers are the longest-running such competition in the industry. The NECA...
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...
At the opening of the NECA Show, the industry’s leading safety experts came together for the annual NECA Safety Roundtable. The goal of the session was different from previous years. For this roundtable, NECA assembled many...
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...
Today, it’s common for products—from kitchen appliances to office chairs—to be promoted as “ergonomically designed” or “ergonomically friendly.” Such designs also are attributed to many of the tools electricians use. However,...
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...
From shipping and arrival of wire supplies through installation, efficiently managing electric wire on the job can be the difference between a profit or loss. Much of the wire on job sites is on reels, and a wide variety of...
Owners and managers of electrical contracting companies are always alert to tools and equipment that will enhance workforce productivity. Portable work stations provide a convenient, easy-to-move work surface and storage...
Correctly preparing and connecting copper wiring in a building’s structured wiring system requires special skills and the right tools. A single faulty connection can bring down an entire network. Quality cutting, stripping...
Electrical work can't be done without the right tools. As basic tools have been improved over the years and new specialized tools are developed, the list of tool choices for electricians becomes even longer. Even so, there's...
