The Australian consumer electronics sector is one of the healthiest sectors in the country. As per Statista, the sector is projected to bring in revenues of $4.4 billion in 2021 and $5.3 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 4.5%. The electronics industry is also ready for Industry 4.0 and IoT adoption as demonstrated at the Electronex 2019 held in Melbourne.
Thus, there hasn’t been an ideal time in history to take up electronics as your career than now. Many companies in the sector, like Mektronics Australia, acknowledge this. To become an electrician, you must undergo an apprenticeship. Specific tools will make your apprenticeship successful. In this article, learn about the five hand tools that every apprentice should get.
Pliers
Pliers are standard tools for electricians, and they tend to use it for most installations and repairs. Pliers don’t refer to a single tool, and there are different types. These are:
- Channel Lock Pliers – Also known as pump pliers, these types of pliers have an angled head used to grab any irregularly shaped item. You’ll use these pliers for adjusting and tightening water pipes.
- Lineman’s Pliers – These plies are more common than channel locks. Also known as side-cutting pliers, tradespeople use these to twist, bend, and grip wires when preparing splices.
- Diagonal Pliers – These pliers are intended for cutting the wire and thus have sharper jaws and edges.
- Long Nose Pliers – Long nose pliers have an elongated head and are used to hold small objects or work through narrow terminals.
To kickstart your projects without any glitches, get the entire set rather than buying each one individually.
Screwdrivers
Perhaps screwdrivers are the most commonly used tool even among the average consumer. They allow you to take the screws out easily. There are different types of screwdrivers, depending on their head. It’s recommended that you purchase the entire set.
Wire Strippers
Wire strippers are another important hand-held tool used by technicians. As the name hints, you’d use these to strip the insulation from an electrical wire, thus exposing the inner metal wire. All the electrical appliances you see are insulated for protection, and you’d need to strip the outer part to fix the issues,
Roto Split
A highly-specialized hand-held tool does the job similar to a wire stripper, which is to strip something. In this case, it’s an armoured cable that’s stripped. It is commonly an MC cable or metallic-clad power cable. A diagonal cutter also does the job, but Roto Split makes the task easier.
Clamping Voltmeter
A voltmeter will tell you how much of a voltage, current, frequency, or continuity you’re dealing with. A clamping voltmeter is essential for all testing and troubleshooting tasks. Similarly, you can purchase a voltage tester for a better diagnosis.
You can get these tools either at your local electrical hardware shop or online. But there are many benefits to sourcing them online. The first benefit is you avail the best prices, which are transparent too. You can guarantee authentic and certified tools when you place an order from a reliable vendor.
Suppliers like Mektronics Australia offer these tools and equipment online at the best prices. You can order and get the items delivered to your doorstep within a week. So you begin your apprenticeship at the earliest.
