Electrical tools are powered devices used to install, test, and maintain electrical systems, from simple drills and saws to electricians’ meters and fish tape.
For the full breakdown, see our best Electrical Tools guide.
When someone asks what electrical tools are, they usually mean the powered equipment used to work on wiring, circuits, and electrical components. OSHA groups these under its hand-and-power-tool guidelines, covering general industry, maritime, and construction work. The category includes everything from a basic drill to insulated pliers and the meters an electrician carries on every job.
What Counts As An Electrical Tool?
An electrical tool is any powered device used to install, test, maintain, or repair electrical systems. OSHA considers these “power tools,” meaning they draw electricity from a cord, battery, or low-voltage source. Common examples include drills, angle grinders, saws, sanders, pliers, multimeters, fish tape, and test instruments. Electricians also rely on specialized items like tapper tools and voltage testers. While a screwdriver is a hand tool, a powered screwdriver or an electrician’s test meter is an electrical tool. The distinction matters because power tools carry additional shock and injury risks. For a closer look at which models earn their place in a workshop, our tested roundup of the best electrical tools breaks down top performers by category.
What Main Types Of Electrical Tools Exist?
Electrical tools split into two broad groups: tools for building and modifying, and tools for testing and diagnosing. The first includes drills, saws, grinders, and sanders; the second covers multimeters, voltage testers, clamp meters, and fish tape used to pull wire through walls. The table below summarizes the main categories and typical uses.
| Tool Category | Common Examples | Primary Job |
|---|---|---|
| Drilling & Driving | Drills, impact drivers, tapper tools | Making holes, driving screws, threading |
| Cutting & Grinding | Angle grinders, circular saws, reciprocating saws | Cutting conduit, pipe, and cable |
| Surface Work | Sanders, polishers | Smoothing and finishing surfaces |
| Testing & Measuring | Multimeters, voltage testers, clamp meters | Checking current, voltage, and continuity |
| Wire Handling | Fish tape, wire strippers, crimpers | Pulling and preparing wire |
| Safety & Maintenance | Insulated pliers, GFCI adapters | Protecting the user and the tool |
Most electricians carry a mix of these. A multimeter checks whether a circuit is live, while fish tape threads new wire through finished walls. Using one for the wrong job is a common source of both damage and injury.
How Do You Use Electrical Tools Safely?
OSHA’s safety baseline for electrical tools is straightforward. Electric tools must have a three-wire cord with a ground plug, be double insulated, or run on a low-voltage isolation transformer. OSHA’s hand and power tool guidelines spell out these requirements in detail. Essential safe-use rules include:
- Inspect the tool and cord before every use; pull damaged tools from service.
- Keep tools dry and out of damp locations unless approved for wet use.
- Never remove the grounding prong or defeat ground protection.
- Carry tools by the handle, never by the cord; unplug by pulling the plug itself.
- Wear appropriate PPE; avoid loose clothing or jewelry around moving parts.
- Disconnect the tool from power before servicing, changing bits, or cleaning.
- Store tools in a dry place when not in use.
One of the most common mistakes is using a standard drill or saw in a wet basement or outdoors in damp conditions. Unless rated for wet locations, moisture can turn a minor fault into a serious shock. A ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) adds protection but does not make an unrated tool safe for wet work.
What Hazards Do Electrical Tools Pose?
OSHA identifies electrical burns, shocks, amputation, projectiles, and caught-in injuries as the main hazards. Most come from predictable mistakes: using a damaged cord, defeating the ground prong, or carrying a tool by its cord. Cords also create tripping hazards and fail quickly when exposed to heat, chemicals, or sharp edges. Removing damaged tools from service and tagging them “Do Not Use” is required. Proper training matters as much as equipment—a worker who does not understand a tool’s limitations is more likely to push it past its design range. The OSHA construction safety handbook covers these topics in depth.
FAQs
Are cordless drills considered electrical tools?
Yes. Cordless drills run on battery electricity, so OSHA’s hand-and-power-tool rules apply as they do to corded models. The battery eliminates the cord and ground plug, but other safety rules—like inspecting the tool and avoiding wet locations—still apply.
What is the difference between a hand tool and an electrical tool?
A hand tool is powered by human effort, like a manual screwdriver or wrench. An electrical tool uses electricity from a cord or battery, like a drill, saw, or multimeter. Electrical tools carry additional risks of shock and moving parts.
Do I need special training to use electrical tools?
Basic tools can be used safely by homeowners with careful attention to manufacturer’s instructions and OSHA’s general rules. Professional work, especially on live circuits, requires formal training and typically a license. At minimum, every user should understand grounding, GFCI protection, and when a tool must be taken out of service.
References & Sources
- OSHA. “Hand and Power Tools.” Official safety guidelines covering electrical tool requirements, grounding, and hazard prevention.
- OSHA. “Construction Industry Safety Handbook” (OSHA 3080). Detailed worksite safety guidance applicable to power tools.
- OSHA. “Hand and Power Tools Training Outline.” Companion outline used for tool-safety training.