Can You Identify This Electrician Equipment?

By: Ian Fortey
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Identify This Electrician Equipment?
Image: sturti/E+/gettyimages

About This Quiz

Like any trade from welding to plumbing to woodworking, electrical work requires a whole host of specialized and unique tools. When working with electricity (which can be incredibly dangerous if you're ill-prepared), you want to make sure you have the right tools and safety equipment for each specific job. Some electrical tools even an amateur could use, but others are incredibly niche and require a bit of training and know-how to use properly. As an electrician, there's a standard set of items you'll probably need every day that will always be right there in your toolbelt. Others will only be required occasionally, but you'll need to know when and how to put them to good use.

A master electrician would be familiar with all the tools and equipment needed for many different kinds of projects. From safety gear to cutting tools to drilling tools and more, there's a heck of a lot to keep track of. So the question is, do you think you have what it takes to recognize all these tools of the electrician's trade? Plug yourself in and take the quiz!

Fiberglass Fish Sticks
Klein Tools By Youtube
This may be the tastiest-sounding tool in an electrician's kit. What is it?
Candy canes
Fiberglass fish sticks
Safety robs
Pixie Stix
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These fiberglass fish sticks are part of what electricians sometimes call a fishing kit. When you need to run some wires behind a wall already stuffed with insulation, attach them to these sticks and you can pull the wire up just like you're fishing for it.

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Step Bit
Wiki Commons By Junkyardsparkle
What is this hole-boring device known as?
Step bit
Reamer
Sawzall bit
Hammer drill
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When used in conjunction with your handy electric drill, a step bit is a handy tool for an electrician to bore a hole into something like a junction box or a panel. This combination works much faster than a knockout set.

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Head Lamp
Tahreer Photography/Moment/gettyimages
Need an illuminating hands-free device? Try this!
Flashlight
Pulse beam
Voltmeter
Headlamp
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Electricians often need to have a light handy, considering they're going to be working in places without power. A headlamp is a good alternative to a flashlight as it allows you to keep your hands busy elsewhere.

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Circuit Breaker Finder
fstop123/E+/gettyimages
This tool can make a two-person job into a one-person job. Do you recognize it?
Multimeter
Voltmeter
Circuit breaker finder
Tone generator
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Looking for a specific circuit in a panel that isn't labeled can be a pain, but a circuit breaker finder really makes it easier. Rather than randomly flipping circuits while a second person checks to see if the power goes out, a circuit breaker finder allows one person to pinpoint the correct circuit right at the panel.

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Side-Cutting Pliers
Wiki Commons By Klein Tools
Can you identify this essential hand-held tool?
Side-cutting pliers
Tongue-and-groove pliers
Linesman pliers
Needlenose pliers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Side-cutting pliers are one of the few tools that every electrician is likely to have handy at all times. They're used for cutting wire to size, and it's unlikely an electrician could get much work done without them.

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Hammer
Images say more about me than words./Moment/gettyimages
This may be the most basic tool in all of construction. What is it?
Hatchet
Awl
Hammer
Pliers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A hammer may not be the most obvious tool for an electrician, but it's a necessary part of the toolkit. One example of how an electrician might use a hammer: nailing brackets around an electrical box into place on a support beam.

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Voltage Tester
Monty Rakusen/Cultra/gettyimages
When you're about to work on an outlet, which tool do you reach for first?
Crimper
Circuit breaker finder
Lockout kit
Voltage tester
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A no-touch voltage tester is an essential tool to use before going to work on an outlet or device to see if it's actually carrying a charge. Hold the tester near the device, and it will detect the presence of electricity so you know how to proceed safely.

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Arc Rated Shirt
drirelease By Youtube
What kind of personal protective equipment is this?
Ar-rated shirt
Insulated shirt
Fire shirt
Safety shirt
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An arc-rated shirt is personal protective gear that can protect you from serious harm if you are exposed to an electrical arc. Flame resistant shirts are also available, but while all arc-rated shirts are flame resistant, not all flame resistant shirts are arc-rated.

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Rescue Hook
Thorne Derrick By Youtube
This tool could save someone else while keeping you safe. Do you know what it's called?
Fiberglass fish stick
Rescue hook
Linesman tool
Roto split
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A rescue hook is a pole made from fiberglass. Despite how simple it sounds, this tool could be a lifesaver. Because it's non-conductive, a rescue hook can be used to pull someone away from a live wire without putting yourself at risk of electrocution.

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Needlenose Pliers
Brand X Pictures/Stockbyte/gettyimages
This helpful tool is a standard item for electricians, but what's it called?
Tongue-and-groove pliers
Knockout tool
Linesman pliers
Needlenose pliers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Needlenose pliers are surprisingly versatile items that can have any number of uses for an electrician. From holding wires to picking up dropped screws to holding those same screws as you drill them in place, needlenose pliers get the job done.

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Wire Strippers
Zen Rial/Moment/gettyimages
Do you recognize this essential tool from an electrician's toolkit?
Side-cutting pliers
Wire stripper
Hex key
Reaming pliers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Since electricians obviously need to work with wires, a good wire stripper is essential. This tool can strip the insulation off any standard sized wire. It can be used to cut wires down to size too.

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Ladder
Yashoda/Cultra/gettyimages
You know what name this elevating piece of equipment goes by, right?
Riser
Ladder
Steps
Climber
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are any number of occasions when an electrician will need a ladder. Get one that's made of fiberglass if you want it to last a while and still be useful. Fiberglass can stand up to weather and also isn't conductive.

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Tongue-and-Groove Pliers
Wiki Commons By Channellock
This tool has multiple uses in the field. What's it called?
Side-cutting pliers
Linesman pliers
Tongue-and-groove pliers
Wire stripper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tongue-and-groove pliers are also called adjustable pliers, pipe spanners, multi-grips and a few other names. They're useful for tightening cable clamps or yanking out knockouts from electrical boxes.

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Level
Hans Hansen/DigitalVision/gettyimages
You can keep everything nice and even with this device. Tell us what it's called.
Fish tape
Roto split
Tone generator
Level
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As with just about any kind of construction work, you need a level to make sure things line up. If you're installing switches or a new electrical box, you want to make sure everything is on the level, right?

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Tone and Probe Kit
Streakwave Wireless Inc. By Youtube
This tool can make a job that usually takes a long time go much faster. What do you call it?
Tone and probe kit
Multimeter
Labeler
Flashlight
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A tone generator and probe kit is something of a unique device, but it's also super helpful. if you're dealing with a bunch of wires and want to trace a specific one, attach the tone generator to one end of that wire and the probe will make a sound when it's near the other end of the same wire.

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Nut Drivers
Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net / Getty Images Plus/gettyimages
A set of these tools will ensure everything is secure, so tell us what they're called.
Screwdrivers
Nut drivers
Pliers
Crimpers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A set of nut drivers can be pretty important in the toolkit of an electrician. You can use them for all kinds of things, like installing breakers in an electrical panel or, you know, driving any other nuts you come across.

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Sheetrock Saw
Douglas Sacha/Moment/gettyimages
Sometimes you need to make a hole, and this tool will do it for you. What do you call it?
Sawzall
Circular saw
Step bit
Sheetrock saw
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A sheetrock saw is an indispensable tool for an electrician. When you need to cut in new electrical boxes, this is how the cutting gets done. It's also handy for cutting into a finished ceiling to install recessed lighting.

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Labeler
Yesss Electrical By Youtube
Name this tool that will help you keep your work organized!
Labeler
Torpedo level
Multimeter
Electrical lockout kit
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It may sound silly that a labeler is useful to an electrician, but anyone who's ever had to deal with a circuit panel that was not labeled knows that a labeler is 100% necessary for ensuring that work is well organized.

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Fish Tape
Wiki Commons By Lucius Kwok
Do you recognize this tool that looks a bit like an adjustable dog leash?
Measuring tape
Roto cutter
Fish tape
Conduit bender
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Fish tape is a pretty useful little item when you're wiring a house because it makes the jobs go a little faster. If you need to pull wiring through a pipe, for instance, attaching the wire to the end of the fish tape will allow you to pull it right through lickety-split!

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Screwdriver
n/a
Tell us the name of this super-versatile tool that all electricians need.
Wire crimper
Hammer
Chisel
Screwdriver
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pretty much anyone working in construction is going to need a screwdriver at some point. Electricians can use them for literally dozens of jobs, including securing plates over outlets, screwing down clamps, removing switches and more.

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Wire Crimpers
Wiki Commons By SeanMiller
Is the name of this handy tool right on the tip of your tongue?
Linesman pliers
Wire crimper
Conduit bender
Tone generator
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As you might guess from the name, the wire crimper is a helpful tool for crimping things like terminals onto wires. Once you strip the wire, you insert the metal end into a terminal, and then, on most crimping tools, you can match the color of the terminal to the tool size and squish 'em together.

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Roto Split
Wiki Commons By Marc Ducret
This unusual tool is helpful when you work with bigger cables. What's it called?
Step bit
Conduit bender
Hex set
Roto-split
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A roto-split is an essential tool for dealing with thick, steel-coated MC cable. Cutting that cable with a pair of normal wire cutters is not impossible, but it's not easy. The roto-split can shear through a cable in no time.

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Kneepads
stevecoleimages/E+/gettyimages
Tell us the name of this equipment that you might find on a skater.
Kneepads
Rubber boots
Headlamp
Insulated gloves
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You may not immediately think of kneepads as equipment electricians are going to need, but these can be extremely handy given how much time an electrician may have to spend under things and low to the ground on hard floors.

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Hydraulic Knock-Out
Electon By Youtube
This tool is a heck of a time-saver, but its name may not ring a bell for everyone.
Hydraulic knockout
Voltage tester
Multimeter
Conduit bender
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A hydraulic knockout kit is an interesting time-saver when you need to get a perfectly cut hole in a steel or aluminum box for running wires or setting a fixture. Line up the cutting tool on one side of the surface to be cut with the tool on the other, pump and bang! Hole gets cut.

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Tool Belt
Hill Street Studios/DigitalVision/gettyimages
Tell us the name of this item that will ensure everything is organized and handy for you on the job.
Electrical lockout kit
Hex set
Toolbelt
Tone generator
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you're going to use tools, then you should probably have a toolbelt. A toolbelt keeps essentials like your drivers, your cutters, your crimpers and your pliers organized and right at your side.

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Electrician's Knife
Bushcraft412 By Youtube
What name does this multi-use tool that should be in everyone's kit go by?
Sheetrock saw
Electrician's knife
Reciprocating saw
Step bit
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An electrician's knife is one of those invaluable items that have a multitude of purposes. A proper electrician's knife should have some wire stripping abilities and, of course, should have a non-conductive handle as well.

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Multimeter
aydinmutlu/E+/gettyimages
You can take all kinds of measurements with this device. Do you recognize it?
Headlamp
Conduit bender
Labeler
Multimeter
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A multimeter is a useful tool as it's kind of an upgrade to a voltmeter. You can use the multimeter to measure voltage levels, but also amperage levels and resistance, as well as direct currents.

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Rubber-Soled Boots
Shoe Shop By Youtube
Safety is super important on a job, so you'll want to have these items with you. What are they?
Rubber-soled boots
Clogs
Steel-toed boots
Safety shoes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A good pair of rubber-soled boots is a key safety item for anyone working with electricity. Rubber is the best insulator against getting a shock, and you should always have rubber on your feet when working with electricity.

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Pipe Reamer
Microburst Learning By Youtube
This tool helps to smooth out rough ends. Do you know what it's called?
Pipe reamer
Nut driver
Wire crimper
Hex set
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A pipe reamer is a helpful tool any time you need to cut conduits made from metal that leaves jagged, sharp edges. The reamer can smooth all those sharp edges off and ensure the wire feeds through and no one gets cut.

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Tape Measure
n/a
If you want to know how far it is from outlet to outlet, you'll need this tool, right? Tell us what it is.
Fish tape
Electrical lockout kit
Tape measure
Multimeter
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Every tradesperson probably has a tape measure because it just makes sense. The spring tape measure as we know it today was patented way back in 1868 by a man named Alvin J. Fellows.

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Linesman Pliers
Wiki Commons By Santeri Viinamäki
What's the name of this tool that's a triple threat in the hands of an electrician?
Side-cutting pliers
Linesman pliers
Hex set
Tongue-and-groove pliers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A good pair of linesman pliers can really help out in all kinds of situations for an electrician. The flat tips are helpful in grabbing and twisting wire together. There's a cutter for snipping wires and a grip in the middle for pulling wire too.

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Hex Set
pbombaert/Moment/gettyimages
Sometimes you'll need these for tightening. What's the name these things go by?
Screwdrivers
Nut drivers
Lockout kit
Hex set
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Your set of hex keys are pretty important for whenever you run across hex-head screws. A lot of standard screwdriver sets can't manage this type of screw. Hex keys typically come in both standard and metric sizes.

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Insulated Gloves
DonNichols/E+/gettyimages
You'll be a lot safer at the end of the day if you use these items. Tell us what they're called.
Vice grips
Insulated gloves
Circuit breaker finder
Hand Flanges
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Like you need boots to protect your feet and goggles to protect your eyes, as an electrician you also need insulated gloves to protect your hands. A good pair of insulated gloves will have rubber liners and some kind of leather on the outside to provide traction and grip.

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Electrical Lockout Kit
Brian Tinson By Youtube
Any time you're working with other people in the area, it's good to have this handy. What is it?
Circuit breaker finder
Knockout tool
Tone generator
Electrical lockout kit
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Reciprocatings aw

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Conduit Bender
Wiki Commons By Jcmorris2
Plan on working around a corner? You may need this tool. But can you name it?
Conduit bender
Wire crimper
Rescue hook
Hex set
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

To protect wires, you often need to run them through thin metal tubes or conduits. If your conduit needs to bend around a corner in a wall, you need a way to make that happen. That's where a conduit bender comes into play.

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Utility Knife
UntitledImages/E+/gettyimages
This item may seem a little generic, but it's also very versatile. Do you know what it is?
Wire crimpers
Labeler
Utility knife
Step bit
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A utility knife or box cutter is pretty standard across different industries. As an electrician, you can use it to cut your electrical tape, strip sheath from non-metallic wire or for any general cutting and slicing of boxes.

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Safety Goggles
Frisco/Image Source/gettyimages
When the sparks are flying, you'll be happy you have these handy. What are they?
Safety goggles
Face mask
Tone generator
Monocle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Safety on the job site is always important, and safety goggles should be worn by anyone working with electricity. An arc or a spark could shoot at your face, and it's wise to protect your eyes when working with drills and other power tools.

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Hole Saw
johnnyscriv/E+/gettyimages
Do you recognize this item that can help get things out of your way?
Sawzall
Reciprocating saw
Hole saw
Hammer drill
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A hole saw can be a lot of help when you need to make a hole from here to there to run wire. They're great for cutting into PVC boxes. Also, if you can't get a hole through with a knockout kit, a hole saw will get the job done.

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Reciprocating Saw
Kypros/Moment/gettyimages
Power tools are always helpful on a job. Tell us what this one is called.
Roto-split
Reciprocating saw
Electrical lockout kit
Voltage tester
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A reciprocating saw is a key piece of the heavier equipment an electrician might use. Sometimes you really need to bite into materials like struts or conduits. The best way to get this done in a hurry is with a reciprocating saw.

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Hammer Drill
South_agency/E+/gettyimages
This power tool is key, especially for basement work. What is it called?
Sawzall
Hammer drill
Reaming bit
Wire crimper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A hammer drill can be useful any time, but the hammer function is especially useful for electrical projects if you're working with cement walls and you need to mount anchors for fixtures.

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You Got:
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