1. Fish tape
   Chalk line
2. Plumb bob
   Tape measure

Fish tape gets its name from the fact that it is used to fish wire through cavities within walls, ceilings on even under raised floors. Often lubricated using a product known as cable lube, it's connected to wire at one end and snaked through the cavity when installing or expanding an electrical system.

1. Ratchet
   Linesman pliers
2. Voltage detector
   Reciprocating saw

Also known as side-cutting pliers, linesman pliers feature an angled cutting blade that is perfect for snipping wire to the desired length. This tool comes in many varieties, but spending a little more can net you pliers with a contoured, ergonomic grip for greater comfort and protection against wrist injuries.

1. Voltage tester
   Hammer
2. Reaming bit
   Tape measure

While all tradesmen need a tape measure, electricians can benefit by looking for units equipped with special features. A magnetic tip makes it easy to make measurements without a helping hand, while a tape that is double-sided is more convenient to read when making measurements above your head.

1. Pipe jack
   Wire stripper
2. Conduit cart
   Drill

You can't connect insulated wires without first stripping off the outer coating. While this insulation can be scraped off with a knife, it's much easier to use a wire stripper, which has different sizes of holes to accommodate a variety of wire.

1. Moisture meter
   Stud finder
2. Voltage detector
   Cable feeder

Not sure if a circuit is live or not? A good electrician knows that the right way to find out whether current is present is to use a voltage detector rather than risking electric shock by taking your chances. The size of a large pen, this tool tells you instantly whether power is present, no contact required.

1. Wrench
   Nut-driver
2. Needle-nose pliers
   Wire stripper

As you might expect based on their name, needle-nose pliers are pliers with a long skinny point at the tip. In places where your fingers can't reach -- say inside a receptacle or junction box, or inside a crowded panel -- needle-nose pliers make it easy to grab, twist and connect wires with ease.

1. Label maker
   Conduit bender
2. Cable cutter
   Wire cart

Experienced electrical pros know that those who fail to label their work as they go are likely to end up with a tangled mess of mystery wires. A label maker, which prints out neat labels for everything from conduit to breaker panels, belongs in every electrician's toolbox.

1. Miter saw
   Reciprocating saw
2. Angle grinder
   Drill

Unlike many power saws, which feature rotating blades, reciprocating saws use long, skinny blades that rely on a push-pull motion to cut through wood, metal and plastic. This handy power tool is perfect for cutting a pipe or conduit, or even for demoing a wall to reach the wiring tucked inside.

1. Conduit reamer
   Conduit bender
2. Conduit cutter
   Conduit stripper

Conduit is metal tubing that electricians use to protect wires. When wrapping conduit around a corner or an obstruction, electrical pros use a tool called a conduit bender to create curves or angles in the pipe. This allows for successful, smooth installations, especially in applications where the conduit is visible rather than hidden behind a wall or ceiling.

1. Fish pole
   Cat hoist
2. Dog stick
   Mouse catcher

No, you won't be reeling in trout with this tool, but a fish pole can be used to pull wires in a home or construction site. By poking this long tool into a ceiling, raised floor or wall cavity, electricians are able to grab fish tape or wire in places that hands just can't reach.

1. Measuring tape
   Fish tape
2. Stud finder
   Multimeter

A multimeter is a handy gadget for electrical pros. This device looks sort of like a fancy calculator, but is actually designed to test for voltage, current and electrical resistance all in one tool. This allows the electrician to inspect circuits and spot potential issues during installation or repair work.

1. Flashlight
   Level
2. Hardhat
   Label maker

Electricians are often responsible for setting up temporary power on a new construction site -- which means there might be no light sources at all when you first arrive on the site. A flashlight allows you to see where you're going while you prep for power, and is also useful for seeing inside a dark panel or wall cavity during renovation work.

1. Miter saw
   Router
2. Impact wrench
   Cordless drill

A power drill is a must-have for electricians, who use it to remove and replace switch plates, receptacles and equipment. Going cordless means you never have to worry about finding an outlet -- or stretching out an extension cord for others to possibly trip over.

1. Wire crimper
   Conduit bender
2. Pipe jack
   Rotation tester

A loose connection between a pair of wires can create a fault that prevents appliances or fixtures from working -- and can even pose a safety hazard. Wire crimpers solve this problem by forcing a tight, secure connection between the wires that will last long after you've moved onto the next job.

1. Knee pads
   Ear plugs
2. Safety glasses
   Insulated gloves

Sure, safety glasses can be a pain to remember, and may not be exactly comfortable, but if you ever question why you should wear them, Google "safety glasses saved my eyes." You'll find countless pictures of workers--including electricians--whose vision was saved from flying debris, grinding wheels and other hazards thanks to a simple and affordable pair of goggles.

1. Nut driver
   Level
2. Tape measure
   Hammer

Think of a nut driver set as a screwdriver set designed for use with nuts and bolts, rather than regular screws. It comes with one shaft and a series of interchangeable bits that can loosen or tighten fasteners in even tough-to-reach places.

1. Multimeter
   Level
2. Reciprocating saw
   Rotation tester

Almost any tradesman can benefit from the use of a level. Thanks to a series of air bubbles, this tool can tell you if that switch plate or outlet you're about to install is actually straight. It's also useful for leveling light fixtures, equipment and conduit runs.

1. Roto split
   Reaming bit
2. Spade bit
   Utility knife

Electricians use conduit pipes to protect wires, and this conduit must be cut to fit each installation. A reaming bit, or deburring tool, cleans away rough and ragged edges in the conduit so the wires can pass through freely without snagging.

1. Tool belt
   Conduit rack
2. Hardhat
   Drill

Electricians are exposed to all kinds of hazards on the job. There's the obvious issue of shock or burns, but bumping the head or having an object fall on your head from higher up is also a concern. Invest in a Class B hardhat and wear it every time you work -- this class not only protects from bumps, but also has the highest protection of any hardhat type against burns and high voltage.

1. Reaming bit
   Hammer
2. Screwdriver set
   Reciprocating saw

Screwdriver sets are useful for any tradesman. Electricians who are already weighed down by electrical tools can save space by investing in a screwdriver set with interchangeable bits, which is perfect for everything from screwing in a switch plate to installing straps or racks for conduit.

1. Lockout kit
   Reel jack stand
2. Knee pads
   Hole saw kit

If you power down a piece of equipment to work on an electrical system, it could be disastrous if someone were to power that system back up while you're working. A lockout or lockout/tagout kit allows you to lock down the power and let everyone know you are working on it, no matter where you are in the building or job site.

1. Razor knife
   Lift
2. Rotation tester
   Channel locks

Electricity in the United States is distributed across the grid using three-phase power -- a technology which is also used in many motors and pieces of equipment used to maintain electrical systems. A rotation tester allows electricians to test items that use this tech, particularly motors and equipment found in big machinery.

1. Hole saw kit
   Reciprocating saw
2. Miter saw
   Circular saw

A hole saw fits onto a standard drill, and can be used to cut a perfect hole with little effort. An electrician's hole saw kit contains standard size saws needed in electrical work to accommodate conduit or recessed light fixtures.

1. Knee pads
   Hard hat
2. Hammer
   Utility knife

An electrician who skips the knee pads while working on the ground is unlikely to have a long career thanks to knee pain. Because electricians spend a lot of time on the ground wiring receptacles and equipment, a quality pair of knee pads is a solid investment for people in this field.

1. Label maker
   Tape measure
2. Receptacle tester
   Razor knife

A receptacle tester looks like a relatively simple device, but it can save a whole lot of time and effort. By simply plugging it into an outlet, an electrician can tell if the outlet works or not, what the problem might be, and if any GFCI feature that is supposed to be in place is actually working or not.

1. Ladder
   Conduit rack
2. Nut driver
   Hard hat

Many electrical codes require wires to be concealed within pipes called conduit to protect them from damage over time. That can mean hundreds or thousands of feet of conduit installation in a large building. Save your strength -- and your back -- by transporting all that piping on a conduit rack with wheels.

1. Magnetic tray
   Nut driver
2. Multimeter
   Ear plugs

Noise levels over 85 decibels can permanently damage your ears over time -- and power saws and other tools used in the electrical field can produce 110 decibels or higher. Keep your ears in top shape by popping in a pair of ear plugs for protection every time you hit the job site.

1. Ladder
   Fish pole
2. Cable feeder
   Conduit bender

When you're dealing with huge amounts of cable -- say, in a data center -- pulling cables by hand just isn't practical. On those jobs, a cable feeder can be used to quickly distribute cables over racks and trays to get the job done more efficiently.

1. Needle-nose pliers
   Channel locks
2. Hammer
   Mallet

Channel locks are heavy-duty adjustable pliers that you can lock into place to hold, install or remove nuts and bolts. They are also useful if you need a bit of leverage to remove a difficult fastener or clip.

1. Cut-resistant gloves
   Hard hat
2. Safety glasses
   Steel-toed boots

Electricians are extremely vulnerable to hand injuries. Beyond the whole high voltage issue, there are sharp edges from broken bulbs, metal junction boxes and equipment, or even tools like razor knives. Stay safe with cut-resistant gloves, and try an insulated pair for additional voltage protection.

1. Wire rack
   Magnetic tray
2. Fish tape
   Label maker

A magnetic tray uses the power of magnetism to hold screws and other fasteners exactly where you put them. Even better, the tray itself will stick to steel, including things like I-beams, panels and many other types of electrical equipment.

1. Hammer
   Fish pole
2. Rotation tester
   Wire cart

Even a simple electrical project can involve hundreds of feet of wire, which can easily end up in a tangled mess if you aren't careful. Wire carts have arms that stick up to hold rolls of wire, keeping them organized and making them much easier to transport than if you simply tried to carry them.

1. Hammer
   Finish nailer
2. Wire crimper
   Power drill

A hammer is such a useful tool that every tradesman should have one -- including electricians. It's the perfect tool for demoing walls or prying out a stubborn nail, and it's also useful for installing things like junction boxes or other equipment.

1. Wire stripper
   Screwdriver set
2. Cable cutter
   Lift

Some electrical jobs require heavy cables rather than wire. Cable cutters, which are larger and more heavy-duty than typical linesman pliers, are designed to make quick and easy cuts in cable. For very large cables, invest in a ratcheting cutter, which opens wide to tackle even the toughest materials.

1. Pipe jack stand
   Lift
2. Wire cart
   Channel locks

It can be downright dangerous to climb a ladder while carrying a fluorescent light fixture or roll of wire. A simple scissor lift allows you to do work above the ceiling while greatly reducing your risk of a fall.

1. Knockout kit
   Receptacle tester
2. Conduit rack
   Reaming bit

Feeding conduit into a panel or other equipment requires cutting a hole in a thick sheet of metal. Knockout tools, or slug busters, are designed to pop out perfect disks of metal to make room for the conduit.

1. Wire stripper
   Tape measure
2. Fish tape
   Roto split

Some wires come encased in flexible metal tubes. Known as MC cable or armored cable, this material is very durable -- which makes it tough to cut. A roto split is specifically designed for cutting metal cables to the correct length.

1. Infrared temperature gun
   Hole saw kit
2. Power drill
   Wire rack

An infrared spot temperature gun allows electricians to spot potential problems with ease. Using infrared technology, it alerts the user to overheated systems or equipment, and can help you spot missing insulation or hot spots.

1. Lockout kit
   Lift
2. Reel jack stand
   Hammer

A giant spool of wire is pretty much impossible to unroll by hand. When working with these over-sized spools, a reel jack stand can hold the spool off the ground so that the wire is easier and safer to feed.

1. Utility knife
   Multimeter
2. Receptacle tester
   Knee pads

A utility knife is the jack-of-all-trades tool on a job site. It's ideal for cutting open boxes, creating a hole in drywall or scoring a line to guide a cut. This simple and affordable tool also makes quick work of old paint or caulk that might be preventing you from accessing a panel or other equipment.