Hand Tools
What this domain tests
Hand Tools tests identification, correct use and care of the tools used in electrical and hardware installation, and the safety rules that go with them.
Core rules
- Insulated screwdrivers and pliers are rated for about 1,000 V. Check the insulation for cuts before use; a cracked handle means the tool is withdrawn from service.
- Use the correct screwdriver tip: flat, Phillips or Pozidriv. A worn tip slips, damages the screw head and can cause a hand injury.
- Combination pliers grip and twist; side cutters cut wire; long-nose pliers reach into boxes. Never use pliers as a hammer or a screwdriver as a chisel.
- A claw hammer drives nails and pulls them; a cold chisel cuts metal; a wood chisel cuts timber. Keep cutting edges sharp and mushroomed heads dressed.
- Drills need the correct bit for masonry, wood or metal. Eye protection is required when drilling or chiselling.
- Crimping tools make a proper mechanical joint between a conductor and a lug; do not rely on pliers to crimp.
Worked example
To terminate a 2.5 mm² wire in a socket, strip about 10–12 mm of insulation, insert the conductor into the terminal, and tighten the screw firmly without cutting strands. For a lugged connection, select the correct lug, use the crimping tool in the marked groove, and pull-test the joint.
Traps that cost marks
Using an insulated tool with damaged insulation; choosing a tip that is too small; cutting live conductors; using pliers on a nut; and over-tightening terminals so that strands break.