Most important tools for a Electrician

 Any work related to electricity cannot be done without the right tools. A few tools are required to accomplish the job. These tools must be easily available with the person concerned. In this article, we will discuss some important features of a few tools which are used in the electrici work.

•these tools are classified as under:

- Electric tools

- fitting tools

- power tools

- sheet metal tools

- carpentry tools

1- electric tools:

                                       For performance and good quality of electrical work, we should always prefer to use good quality electric  tools. Most accidents occur due to For better performance and good quality of electrical work, we should always prefer to use good quality electrician tools. Most accidents occur due to the use of cheap and blunt tools. Therefore, it is always necessary to ensure proper care and maintenance of tools. The following are the most important of electrician tools:  (i).combinationp :

Combination pliers are designed to hold, turn and cut the objects. They are made of steel and their size is given according to their length. They are used for multiple purposes such as cutting, twisting wires and holding round and flat jobs. They are either insulated or uninsulated. Insulated combination pliers are specially used to work on live conductors, as they prevent electricity related hazards such as electrocution etc. combination pliers are generally Available 150 mm, 200 mm (6", 8")

Care and Maintenance

1. Never cut hard substances or wires with them. 

2. Do not use pliers as a hammer.

3. Lubricate only their moving parts after the stipulatedw period.

4. Do not grip hot substances with them.

5. Never spoil the insulation covering of the pliers.

6. Keep the pliers safe from rust

(ii).Screw Drivers:

Screw drivers are used for tightening or loosening screws. The screw driver's tip should comfortably fit the grooves of the screw to ensure maximum efficiency and to avoid damage of the screw heads. The screw drivers used for electrical works generally have plastic handles and their stem is covered with insulating sleeves.

As the length of the screw driver is proportional to the turning force, ensure that you choose a small screw driver for a small work and vice versa.

 Sizes of screw driver are Available: 75 mm, 100 mm, 150 mm, 200 mm, 250 mm, 300 mm (2", 4", 6", 8", 10", 12")

Care and Maintenance:

 1. A screw driver with a loose handle should not be used.

 2.The working edge of the blade must correctly fit in the

slot of the screw heads.

3. Do not hammer the wooden handle of a screw driver.

4. Never try to use it as a firmer chisel.

5. do not use uninsulated screw driver

(iii).Neon taster:

    It consists of a glass tube filled with neon gas and electrodes at the ends. To limit the current within 300 micro- amps at the maximum voltage, a high value resistance is connected in series with one of the electrodes. It may have a tip like probe or a screw driver at one end. In order to test the live wire or presence of supply, the tip of the line tester is touched on live supply and metal cap on the top of line tester is touched by hand. If the neon bulb glows, it indicates the presence of current supply.

Care and maintenance:

1.keep the safe from wet place

2.do not use the taster as a hammer 

(iv). Series test lamp:

                                                  Series test lamp is used for testing the supply continue tie .a test lamp is connected with the faulty section of the supply to check the flow of the supply current

Care and maintenance:

1.knock the wire under the cap of the holder

2.handle it with great care , otherwise the lamp can get damage

3. avoid wet place

•Fitting tools:                         

                                         The tools used in a fitting shop are known as fitting tools. They are classified as follows:

(i) Marking and Measuring Tools:

The following marking and measuring tools are used in a fitting shop. They are discussed as follows:

• Rule

It is the simplest measuring tool just like a scale used in a fitting shop.

Rules are used to mark, measure the length, width and thickness of the work. Figure 8 shows a steel rule, a folding rule and a flexible steel rule.

Care and maintenance:

1.keep it safe from dust,dirt,grease and oil

2.do not through it other tools in the tool box 

(iii)Micrometer: 

The micrometers are commonly employed for measuring small dimensions with an extreme accuracy of 0.01 mm. They are of the three kinds :

1. External micrometer for measuring external dimensions.

2. Internal micrometer for measuring internal dimensions.

 3. Depth micrometer for measuring depths.

For measuring a dimension in external micrometer, the work piece is held between the fixed anvil face and the spindle face of the micrometer. The spindle of the micrometer is allowed to move linearly towards the work by rotating thimble.

A. Frame: The "U" frame of micrometer is made of steel, cast steel, malleable cast iron or any light alloy.

B.Spinate: It is used for the actual measuring and possesses threads of 0.5 mm pitch.

C.Thimble: This is a tubular cover fastened with the spindle and moves with the spindle.

D. Barrel: It has datum or fiducially line and fixed graduations.

E.Ratchet: This part is commonly recognized as friction stop of the micrometer, which also acts as a precautionary measure. This produces a uniform reading and prevents any damage or distortion of the instrument.

D.Locknut : It is used for locking the micrometer for a desired amount of time, after taking or setting the reading.

•Sheet metal tools:

The following tools are commonly used for sheet metal work.

- Hand shears or snips

- Hammers

-  Stakes and stake holder

- Cutting tools

- Measuring tools

- Miscellaneous hand tools such as chisels, groovers, seamers, rivet sets and hand punches. Some of the important sheet metal tools are described below:

• Hand Shears or Snips

Table 10 shows the types of hand shears or snips. They resemble with a pair of scissors and are used to cut thin soft metal sheets of 20 gauge or less. They are required to size and shape the sheets. They can make straight or circular cuts. Different types of hand shears are given below.

•Hammer:it is used for leveling and Smoothing a sheet metal joint

• soldering iron:

It is a tool used during a soldering operation to heat the solder and the parts to be jointed. Soldering irons are of two types:

1. Those heated by either solid or gaseous fuel. 

2. Those heated electrically.

An ordinary soldering iron consists of a copper point or bit, usually of a square or rectangular cross-section and a stem, made of mild steel along with a wooden handle. The size of the point chosen according to the class of work. Its purpose is to absorb heat, while in the fire or muffle, and to give this out when applied to the job, thus heating the two parts and melting the solder. The point is tinned, that is covered with solder, and should be kept clean.

While applying the iron, it must be held in a position for a sufficiently long time to ensure that the work is heated to the required temperature. It is then drawn slowly over the surface, so that, it will heat the adjoining area and melt the point with its heat and high conductivity. The handle with its low conductivity permits the tool to be easily manipulated.

When small assemblies have to be soft-soldered, an electrically heated iron proves useful and is far better than the type requiring solid or gaseous fuel for heating.

Figure 100 shows the various types of soldering bits.

Soldering Procedure:

Following steps should be carried out during a soldering procedure in the given sequence.

1. Work Preparation: Workpieces which are to be joined together should be perfectly clean. There should not be any dirt, dust, rust, paint or grease. This will ensure that the solder or spelter can stick to the joint firmly. Cleaning is done with the help of a file or sandpaper. In case of joining of conducting wires, insulation of portion to be joined should be perfectly removed. Sometimes chemicals are used to clean the workpieces. De-scaling (removal of scaling) is done by dipping the workpieces into dilute HCI.

2. Preparation of Joint: After cleaning, workpieces should be kept together in correct position to make the final joint. Workpieces should be clamped to avoid any relative movement between them, that may disturb the joint making. At the joint, smaller grooves are made on the workpieces to facilitate better flow of molten solder and provide good strength of the joint. There may be two objectives of a joint:

(i) to bear the load, and

(ii) to make an electrical contact.

In case of load, bearing joints, lap joints or butt joints are preferred. It is important to note down that the strength of a soldered joint can not be compared with welded joint. If electrical contact is to be made, the solder should be so selected, that the resistance of the joint should match with the resistance of the conductor.

3. Fluxing: Fluxing includes selection of appropriate flux and its application to the joint. Selection of flux depends on the material of workpiece, keeping its purpose in view. It is applied to the joint with the help of a brush before soldering. It avoids oxidation of the molten metal, helps in the flow of molten solder into the joint to maintain the strength of the joint.

4. Tinning: In this step of soldering procedure, the bit of solder iron is cleaned and flux is applied. It is brought in contact with the solder wire so the bit carries sufficient amount of molten solder over it. After that, it is used to make tag of the solder at various processes throughout the joint. If soldering is done to make electrical contacts of conductivity wires, the complete joint is made by tagging it a few times. In case of a long joint, after tagging, the molten solder is filled to the joint, by bringing a hot bit of solder iron and solder wire together in contact with the joint. Filling the joint with molten solder and allowing it to solidify is the last step of the soldering.

•Soldering Defects and their Remedies :

Some of the common soldering defects are discussed

below:

(I) Granular formation at the surface of the joint of solder is one of the common soldering defects. Amit ord

(II) Formation  of spheroids at the surface of the soldering joint is also a common defect. This happens due to the under heating or over heating of solder iron and insufficient use of flux. Formation of spheroids makes the joint ugly and weak in strength.

(III) Improper or uneven application of flux might make a reduce the strength of a joint.

(IV) Proper coordination between flux application and soldering makes the joint of good quality.

Applications of Soldering:

The soldering, in practice, is done for the following work: Connections in wireless set, (radio), TV sets etc. 1.

2. Wiring joints in electrical connections, battery and other terminals.

3. Drain water gutters and pipes.

4. Radiator brass tubes for motor cars.

5. Copper tubing carrying the liquid fuel, gas or air used on engines.

6. Brass halved bearings are joined with a solder, when relined with white metal and bored on a lathe.

7. When halved, bearings are to be lined with babbit metal.

Questions :

1. Combination pliers are either____ or____

Ans. insulated, uninsulated

2. _____are used for making hoops and loops of thin wires.

Ans. Nose pliers

3.______are used to strike the job or tool.

Ans. Hammers

4. Surface plate is made from the _____ or_____ cast iron

Ans. plain, alloy

5. _____is used for supporting or setting up the work vertically.

Ans. Angle plate