Electrician's Tool Kit: Everything That Goes in the Bag

Electricians need specific tools and they need them accessible. You're not going back to the van every five minutes - everything important lives in your tool bag or on your belt. Here's what actually goes in there.

The Must-Have Power Tools

Combi drill: Light and compact wins over powerful and heavy. You're drilling through joists, mounting back boxes, occasional brick work. The Makita DHP485 or DeWalt DCD796 are popular because they're compact enough to use overhead all day.

Impact driver: Consumer unit screws, trunking, accessories, everything. A good impact with a selection of bits is probably your most-used power tool.

SDS drill: When combi hammer mode isn't cutting it. Chasing, drilling for back boxes in brick, running cables through masonry. Compact SDS like the DeWalt DCH273 fits in a big tool bag.

Multi-tool: For cutting back boxes into plasterboard, trimming architraves around accessories, cutting flooring around pipes. Electricians use multi-tools constantly.

The Hand Tools

Screwdrivers: VDE insulated set - you need 1000V rated for any work near electrics. Minimum: PZ1, PZ2, flat 4mm, flat 5.5mm. Terminal screwdrivers for consumer units. Get quality ones - Wera, Wiha, or Bahco are all solid.

Pliers and cutters:

• Side cutters for cable trimming
• Long-nose pliers for manipulation
• Combination pliers for general gripping
• All VDE rated

Wire strippers: Automatic strippers save time on repetitive work. Manual strippers for precision. Jokari and Knipex both make good ones.

Cable knife: For stripping outer sheath from twin and earth. Curved blade or straight depending on preference.

Crimp tool: For bootlace ferrules and insulated terminals. Ring and spade terminals still turn up.

Testing Equipment

Multifunction tester: The big one - does insulation resistance, continuity, loop impedance, RCD testing. You need this for certification. Megger, Metrel, Fluke all make approved options. Not cheap but essential.

Voltage indicator: Two-pole tester for proving dead. This is a safety-critical tool - get a proper one like a Fluke T5 or Martindale, not a cheap screwdriver with a light in it.

Non-contact voltage tester: For quick checks without touching anything. Useful but never rely on it for safety - always confirm with a proper tester.

Socket tester: Quick check that sockets are wired correctly. Handy for existing installations.

What Lives on the Belt

On your person for instant access:

• PZ2 screwdriver
• Flat screwdriver
• Side cutters
• Voltage tester pen
• Tape measure
• Pencil and marker
• Small torch

The Tool Bag

A proper electrician's tool bag with compartments makes life easier. Everything has a place. Common layout:

• Main pocket: Power tools and larger items
• Front pockets: Hand tools organised by type
• Side pockets: Test equipment, tape, sundries
• Outside loops: Tape measure, level

Sundries and Consumables

Stuff you always need:

• Insulating tape (several colours)
• Cable ties
• Earth sleeving
• Red and brown sleeving
• Terminal blocks
• Wagos or similar connectors
• Fixings - various screws, plugs

Building Up Your Kit

Starting out, the expensive bit is testing equipment. A multifunction tester alone is £500-1500. Add power tools at £300-500 each, hand tools at £200-400 total, and you're looking at £2000-4000 to kit out properly.

Some electricians start with borrowed or second-hand test gear until they're earning regularly. Just make sure it's in calibration and working properly - your certification depends on it.