Sawdust on the Floor

There are some electrical repairs that almost every home owner can handle.  The important thing to remember is that there is no substitute for safety.  There are only two logical times when you would ever want to work on a live electrical circuit, one is to check the current draw of the circuit, and the other is when you are troubleshooting a circuit for loss of power. Both of these problems will require some knowledge of electrical principals, and special tools.  In all other cases, please turn off the power to the circuit before you make any repairs. 

 

Basic Tools for electrical repairs:

 

Diagonal pliers, also known as Dykes:

Used for cutting electrical wiring. Diagonal Pliers have an insulating cover on the handles, make sure that the covers are in tact. Never use Diagonal pliers that do not have covering, in case you inadvertently cut into a live wire.  **

 

Linesman’s Pliers:  Used to twist electrical wires together, Linesman’s pliers also have insulated handles.  Make sure the handles are in good condition.

 

Utility Knife:  Used to cut the insulation coating of electrical wiring.  Have a supply of sharp replacement blades on hand.**

 

Needle Nose Pliers:  Used for working inside electrical boxes.   Select a sturdy pair.  Check the handles for good insulation. **

 

Electrical Fish Tape:  Used to pull electrical wiring through electrical conduit, or through the walls.  These come in either 25 or 50 foot lengths.

 

Fish tape lubricating grease:  Used to lubricate the wiring as you pull it thought the conduit or walls. Non corrosive, will not harm the wiring or electrical devices.

 

Drywall saw also known as a keyhole saw:  Used to cut into drywall when you want to install a new outlet or switch.

 

Torpedo Level: Small level used to verify that electrical boxes are installed level.

 

Wire stripers:  Pliers used to strip the insulation off of the individual wires.

 

Test Equipment:

 

Non Contacting voltage detector:  Used to determine the presence of voltage in any AC Circuit.

 

Digital volt Meter also known as DVM:   Used to measure the voltage in any AC Circuit, AC or DC.  DVM also can be used to measure resistance in household wiring (checking for broken wires)  Can also be used to check the fuses currently used in some electrical devices.

 

          A less expensive meter is an Analog meter, same capabilities as DVM, but uses a meter on a sliding scale to display voltages or resistance.  A little harder to read then the DVM, can be difficult to read in a dark location.

         

Clamp On Amperage Meter also known as Amp Probe:  Electrical device used to measure to amount of current flowing through a circuit.  The meter is “clamped” around the wires.  Available as an Analog or Digital meter, Digital meter will have an option to store to maximum current detected which is sometimes very helpful.

 

          NOTE:  Amp Probes are used on live circuits,  Use proper precautions when working on live or energized circuits.

 

 

Circuit breaker detector:  Used when working alone to determine which circuit breaker controls the power to the circuit you are working on.

 

 

** Also in the Essentials of a Basic Toolbox

 

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