LESSON 1: ELECTRICAL TOOLS AND

MATERIALS
Electrical tools are hand implements that serve as an
extension of the hand and powered by manual labor which
adds speed, power, and accuracy in any electrical works. On
the other hand, Electrical materials are developed and
constructed for a special purpose or function.

ELECTRICAL TOOLS
1. SCREWDRIVERS - these are tools made of steel and
classified according to its tip and used to loosen or tighten
(drive) screws.
• STANDARD SCREWDRIVER - also
known as flathead screwdriver and has a
tip which resembles a negative (-) sign and
used to drive screws with a single slot
head.
• PHILIPS SCREWDRIVER - also known
as crossed-tip screwdriver or positive (+)
head screwdriver and used to drive screws
with cross slot heads.
• STUBBY SCREWDRIVER - either
standard or Philips tip but the
distinguishing part is the short handle and
shank used for tight spaces.

2. CLAW HAMMER - it is the most

commonly used hammer with a flat face
used for pounding or driving nails and a claw
on the other end used for pulling out nails.

3. PLIERS - these are tools made of metal with rubber

insulated handles used for holding gripping and cutting
wires.
 • COMBINATION PLIERS - also known as Lineman's
pliers and used for holding, gripping, and cutting wires.

• LONG NOSE PLIERS - used for

holding, gripping, and cutting fine wires
with an elongated end which is used to
reach tight spaces or small openings, it
can also make terminal loops for wires.

• DIAGONAL-CUTTING PLIERS - this

type of pliers is specifically used for cutting
wires.

4. WIRE STRIPPER - a tool specifically for

removing wire insulation of medium wire sizes
(010 - N 16 AWG-American wire gauge) and
comes with a variety of designs.

5. HACKSAW - it is primarily used to

cut electrical conduits.

ELECTRICAL MATERIALS
1. CONVENIENCE OUTLET - a device which serves as
source of electrical energy for electrical appliances, it is
basically a device with slots where an appliance plug is
inserted. There are two common types of convenience
outlets such as:
• FLUSH TYPE CONVENIENCE OUTLET -
these are convenience outlets that are
embedded in the wall and the wirings are
not exposed.
• Surface Type Convenience Outlet - a type of
convenience outlet that is installed at the
surface of the wall and the wirings are
exposed, a typical example arc those
used in common extension cords.
2. Male Plug - a device with metal prongs
attached at the end of the cord of electrical
appliances which is inserted to the slot of the
convenience outlet.
3. Lamp Holder - also known as sockets, it
is where the bulb or lamp is inserted/secured and supplies
electrical energy to energize the bulb.
a) Flush type lamp holder/sockets - a
type of lamp holder wherein the wirings are
not exposed or embedded in the ceiling.
b) Surface type lamp holder/sockets - on
the other hand, when the wiring connections
to and from the device are exposed. it is
considered as a surface type lamp holder.
4. Switch - a device that connects and disconnects the flow
of electric current in a circuit. There are various types and
designs. but the most commonly used switches are the
following:
• flush type switch - a type of switch wherein
the wirings are not exposed or embedded in
the wall.

• Surface type switch - a type of switch

wherein the wirings are exposed or visible in
a wall or surface.

5. Overcurrent Protective Devices - are devices which

protect the electrical circuit from dangerous effects of
overload or short-circuit.
• FUSE - a disposable overcurrent protective
device with a strip of wire that melts and
cuts the flow of current in a circuit in case of
overcurrent or short circuit.
• CIRCUIT BREAKER - another overcurrent protective
device which automatically blows and cuts
(trip) the current when short circuit or
 overload occurs, once the fault is corrected, the circuit
breaker may be turned on and reused.
6. ELECTRICAL BOXES - electrical boxes may be made of
metal or plastic PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride).
• JUNCTION BOX - an octagonal
shaped electrical material where the
connections or joints of wires are
being done. It is also where the flash
type lamp holder is attached.
• UTILITY BOX - is a rectangular
shaped electrical box where flushed
type convenience outlets and flushed
type switches are attached or
installed.

7. FLAT CORD - is a duplex stranded

wire commonly used in extension cord
assembly and appliance cords, it may
also be used for temporary wiring installation.

8. ELECTRICAL WIRES - also known as electrical

conductors made of copper or aluminum which are used in
house wiring installations. Its size varies depending on its
application or job specification. There are two types of ties
commonly used such as:
• STRANDED WIRE - made of multiple strands joined
together to make a single wire.
• SOLID WIRE - made of a single strand of copper or
aluminum.

9. ELECTRICAL CONDUITS - or electrical pipes serves as

passage and protection of the wires. Depending on the
materials used, there are different kinds of electrical conduits
or pipes such as:
 • RIGID METALLIC CONDUIT (RMC)- a thick-walled
metal tubing which can be threaded.

• ELECTRICAL METALLIC TUBING (EMT)

- a thin-walled metal tubing which is less
costly and lighter than R-MC's

• FLEXIBLE METALLIC CONDUIT (FMC)

- a flexible tubing made of thin metal.

• RIGID NONMETALLIC CONDUIT – also

known as PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride which
is commonly available in orange color.

• FLEXIBLE NON-METALLIC CONDUIT -

or Corrugated Plastic Conduit (CPC) which
is also commonly available in orange color.

10. CLAMPS - electrical materials used to

hold and anchor electrical conduits in place
which may be made of metal or plastic.

11. CONNECTORS- or adaptors we electrical

materials used to connect or attach electrical
conduits to electrical boxes, may either be
made of metal or plastic.