Thinking of tackling electrical repairs but don’t know where to start? With just a little knowledge–and less than $100 worth of tools including things like wire strippers and a multimeter–you can take on troubleshooting common electrical issues and correct them. Even if you’re nervous about doing electrical repairs, having a couple diagnostic tools can help determin…
Thinking of tackling electrical repairs but don’t know where to start? With just a little knowledge–and less than $100 worth of tools including things like wire strippers and a multimeter–you can take on troubleshooting common electrical issues and correct them. Even if you’re nervous about doing electrical repairs, having a couple diagnostic tools can help determine if you have a big problem, or a small one you can tackle yourself.
While most DIYers have basic things like screwdrivers and a drill, there is no substitute for the specialized tools for electrical projects and repairs. Here’s our list of four essential electrical tools every homeowner should have.
Outlet Tester
Southwire Receptacle Tester
An outlet tester is the bare minimum when it comes to electrical diagnostic tools. They’re cheap and can help identify ungrounded outlets, a very common issue in older homes. They can also tell you if an outlet is wired correctly, as well as test to see if your GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets are functioning correctly. Outlet testers are very simple to use and can cost less than $15—there’s no reason not to have one in your toolbox.
Multimeter
Gardner Bender Digital Display Multimeter
A basic multimeter gives you all the functions you’ll need for electrical work around your house. With it you can measure volts, amps, and resistance, for both AC (Alternating Current) and DC (Direct Current)—AC being the type of electrical current used in your home, and DC being the type stored in batteries, used in electronics, and used in your car. For more details on exactly how to use one, check out our article explaining how to use a multimeter.
Wire Strippers
Klein Tools Kurve Dual Wire Stripper/Cutter
Virtually every electrical connection in your home requires the insulation to be stripped away for the conductor (wire). If you’re adding an outlet or switch, you’ll need to strip the wires before anchoring them on the terminals. Having a wire stripper like the one above, for 12- and 14-gauge wire—the most common sizes found in your home—makes the job a lot easier.
Lineman’s Pliers
Milwaukee 9-Inch Lineman’s Pliers
While not strictly necessary, a pair of Lineman’s Pliers are a handy tool to have if your working with NM (Non-Metallic) cable—the most common type of wire in most residential structures. The large pliers have the leverage to cut through all three wires, their insulation, and the sheath covering them. They’re also great if you need to pull NM cable into a junction box.
Safety note: Remember to turn off the circuit breaker to cut power to any switch, outlet, or hard wired appliance—before you start working on them.
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Brad Ford has spent most of his life using tools to fix, build, or make things. Growing up he worked on a farm, where he learned to weld, repair, and paint equipment. From the farm he went to work at a classic car dealer, repairing and servicing Rolls Royces, Bentleys, and Jaguars. Today, when he’s not testing tools or writing for Popular Mechanics, he’s busy keeping up with the projects at his old farmhouse in eastern Pennsylvania.