Noob "Must Have" Electrical Tools?

[Colin Len]

Hello all, I recently purchased my first home and plan on replacing all of the light fixtures/fans, switches, and outlets. I've done minor electrical work before but nothing more extreme than simply replacing a switch/outlet or running a new outlet in a garage. I'm much more comfortable with 12v DC automotive wiring (of which I've done a LOT) but haven't been exposed much to AC electrical systems. Most of what I want to do around the house should be straight forward, but there are items which do not function (porch light for example) and it appears I will need to do some troubleshooting to find and fix the problem.

So, what are those "must have" tools for any homeowner who wants to do their own work around the house? I have a multi-meter already, although I've never used it on AC electrical components, only DC. And I also have some wire crimper/strippers. Mainly wondering what sort of diagnostic tools there may be - stuff to check for if a wire is hot or not...etc

Any help is appreciated.

 

[southalabama]

Get a non contact voltage detector, klein has one at Home Depot.

You've got a multi-meter, strippers.

Surely you have screwdrivers too

Not much else

 

[marinepride]

All though i am a professional electrician i think my set up will serve you well.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Non contact voltage tester as has been said, a wiggy and an outlet tester is also helpful, dykes, wire strippers, needlenose pliers....

 

[lbmcse]

Sidecutters, 10 in 1 screwdriver, or two sets of slotted and Phillips (#1 and #2) screwdrivers, trim screwdriver, diagonal cutters, needle nose pliers, wire strippers, multimeter, non-contact voltage detector (tick tracer), channel locks. This'll get you started.

 

[SlowAl]

You may run in to those slotted phillips screws on newer outlets. I think the wiha terminal screwdriver is the only one I've used that actually fit these screws correctly and didn't strip them out.

For $10 its worth having just in case.

 

[mobiledynamics]

I like to use PH2 to set the screws but ALWAYS take a flat to finish it off and get more torque. No need for the above Wiha IMO

Breakers - #2 Square is more than sufficuen.t

 

[lbmcse]

You may run in to those slotted phillips screws on newer outlets. I think the wiha terminal screwdriver is the only one I've used that actually fit these screws correctly and didn't strip them out.

For $10 its worth having just in case.

I like to use PH2 to set the screws but ALWAYS take a flat to finish it off and get more torque. No need for the above Wiha IMO

Breakers - #2 Square is more than sufficuen.t

Agreed. I use the Roberts tip of my Klein 11 in 1 for those screws. They work perfectly. That tip holds it so well, sometimes when the screwdriver is pulled out, the tip remains in the screw head!

 

[schor]

Agreed. I use the Roberts tip of my Klein 11 in 1 for those screws. They work perfectly. That tip holds it so well, sometimes when the screwdriver is pulled out, the tip remains in the screw head!

Being a Canadian I have a full set (actually multiples) of Robertson screwdrivers.

I think everyone has covered the basics of what you should have except for perhaps a book (or google searches) on house wiring since your really a noob at AC.

 

[bill in in]

Best tools is the same for about everything, but more especially electrical- knowledge. You should understand hots and neutrals, grounds, and how to use various connections. I've rewired old houses with all kinds of wiring methods but any method done right seems to have held up. I've also seen many failures due to poor technique/application. Knowledge just isn't as fun as a new tool, but it does save yer rear portion fairly often.

 

[Ray-CA]

One of these (http://www.uglys.net/) in addition to the tools.

Ray

 

[gdh33]

You should have all you need. Non-contact voltage tester is nice, but not needed. Need screwdrivers (phillips, flat/standard if you are in The States, Robertson if in Canada), wire strippers/cutters, multimeter and I use a lot of paper to sketch out circuits that do not work or that I am changing. Take your time and ensure the power is off. If you can troubleshoot vehicle DC systems, you are golden. Switch the Live/supply (should be black wire) first if possible then feed to light/fan.

edit to say, google and common sense are your friends for troubleshooting/fixing.

 

[ishiboo]

You may run in to those slotted phillips screws on newer outlets. I think the wiha terminal screwdriver is the only one I've used that actually fit these screws correctly and didn't strip them out.

For $10 its worth having just in case.

Pratt-Read (Menards Masterforce) makes a compatible bit, as does Milwaukee (ECX).

Hello all, I recently purchased my first home and plan on replacing all of the light fixtures/fans, switches, and outlets. I've done minor electrical work before but nothing more extreme than simply replacing a switch/outlet or running a new outlet in a garage. I'm much more comfortable with 12v DC automotive wiring (of which I've done a LOT) but haven't been exposed much to AC electrical systems. Most of what I want to do around the house should be straight forward, but there are items which do not function (porch light for example) and it appears I will need to do some troubleshooting to find and fix the problem.

So, what are those "must have" tools for any homeowner who wants to do their own work around the house? I have a multi-meter already, although I've never used it on AC electrical components, only DC. And I also have some wire crimper/strippers. Mainly wondering what sort of diagnostic tools there may be - stuff to check for if a wire is hot or not...etc

Any help is appreciated.

Non-contact voltage detector as people stated, plug-in outlet tester (with a GFCI test button is nice to have.)

Klein 11-in-1 screwdriver (get the tan 5/16" wire nuts that have a hex head) and Klein Kurve NM stripper will serve you well.

 

[ishiboo]

BTW... here is the Menards version:

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...-combination-screwdriver/p-1502886-c-9158.htm

Made by Pratt-Read in the USA for only $5.99, regular price. I actually prefer this to the square drive in my Klein for installing devices, sometimes the square drive still slips (cheap terminal screws?).

 

[Mustang51js]

If your just replacing stuff all you need is a pair of wire strippers,linesman and screw drivers.

 

[shawhite]

Multimeter is my best friend around the house.

 

[mod600]

You may run in to those slotted phillips screws on newer outlets. I think the wiha terminal screwdriver is the only one I've used that actually fit these screws correctly and didn't strip them out.

For $10 its worth having just in case.

Which model do you use?

30700
30701

30711
30712

 

[My Old Tools]

I bought a "Fox and Hound" circuit tracer by Tipplett. It was $40+ on Amazon and worth every penny if you have plugs and switches that don't work and you don't know where they go or what circuit they are on. Helped me find an outdoor plug problem. Not only was it switched, it also had never been terminated to a breaker. I found the right wire capped off in one of my panels.

 

[General Geoff]

I'm a DIYer and have done my fair share of automotive and residential electrical work, I get by with:

Multimeter
Lineman's pliers
Needlenose pliers
6-in-one screwdriver
Miniature diagonal cutters and precision pliers.

I use the miniature diag cutters to strip wire, as I just haven't found a good quality wire stripper that I like. It's slower but it gets the job done on any gauge wire. Just have to be careful.

 

[Whitworth]

Basic home electrical/wiring book. Available at the big box stores.

G

 

[mopho]

Buy as you go but buy nice stuff your old now and if you buy quality stuff it will outlast you.

That being said a pair of Klein 9's will do just about everything. They are the duct tape of the electrical world.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Which model do you use?

30700
30701

30711
30712

I have the 30700 and 30701

im curious what devices need a pozidriv driver, like the 30711 and 30712...