Sparks Electrical News December 2018

TOOLS OF TRADE

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ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR THE MODERN ELECTRICIAN I n two recently published profiles of electrical contractors in Sparks Electrical News , both electricians said the one tool they could not live without, was a multimeter. Digital multim- eters are designed to help tradespeople do their jobs faster, more efficiently and with greater ac- curacy. There are models available for every budget and application, and with the ever-chang- ing technology of electronic circuits, multimeters have advanced to include Bluetooth connectivity, graphic display and built-in scope meters as well as thermal detectors. tricians to acquire,” says Grobbelaar. “Once linked to a phone via Bluetooth, an electrical contractor can immediately generate a report, and see and rectify any hot spots as a value-add for clients. As electricians include this type of technology in their daily offerings, they can charge for the service and recover the initial costs over time,” he says. Grobbelaar notes that a further benefit is the electrician now has proof of what he or she has worked on. “They have the image on record, which is dated, so if anyone working on the in- stallation after them raises an issue, he or she has a record, which is valuable in terms of current legal implications associated with the Certificate of Compliance.”

The importance of safety “Safety is imperative and electrical contractors should al- ways use the right tool for the job,” says Grobbelaar. “Buying cheap tools, or using damaged tools, is unsafe. Our tools, for example, are certified tested up to 10 000 V. Electricians, if they buy cheap tools and the insulation is not tested – or it is not correctly CAT rated – put their own safety at risk,” he says. Because of the possibility of electrocution, electricians need to take several precautions as a matter of course. Prepared, safe professionals will have insulated gloves on them for every job. There are various kinds and styles available so electricians can search and find gloves that are comfortable and will not get in the way of getting work done. Also, electricians are trained to protect themselves against dangerous arc flashes, electrocutions, and fires. Part of this means making sure that their shirt material can re- sist fire-starting sparks and prevent serious burn injuries. Whether electricians are closely examining wiring or op- erating power tools, they are going to need to protect their eyes. Apprentices and seasoned veterans alike should have a pair of safety glasses on hand at every job site. Tape measure When working with wiring, it’s essential to know lengths when you’re cutting and stripping. A simple retractable tape measure does the trick, but there are models with magnetic tips, multi-step locks, and other features to make this pro- cess easier. Electric drill Electricians regularly install new lighting fixtures or need to disassemble installed hardware to access wiring and other electrical components. A handheld electric drill with various bits can help expedite these tasks – and allow professionals to affix specialty bits for industry- specific purposes. Level When installing light fixtures, finding precise points for placement is key. A standard level helps electricians make sure that fixtures, screws, and other installations are where they need to be. Wire strippers Professional electricians regularly to have to strip the plastic coating on wires to expose the copper and make custom- ised connections with other wiring or components. There are many wire stripper types and models out there and the prepared electrician should have various versions at the ready. Torch Sooner or later, electricians have to work in the dark, which is why electrical contractors should always carry various flashlights or other work lights with them.

BASIC TOOLS FOR EVERY ELECTRICIAN Pliers

Pliers are a staple of any toolbox, but they’re especially critical for electricians who regularly manipulate and cut wire. Electrical contractors should have an array of pliers on their belt or in their truck, but they will most frequently work with needle-nose pliers, side-cutting pliers, and reaming pliers. Screwdrivers Another toolbox staple, electricians should be armed with a variety of screwdrivers for loosening and fas- tening various pieces of hardware. Many professionals now carry versatile, adaptable screwdrivers with inter- changeable bits so they are never stuck without the tool they need.

“Complete multimeters are the way to go,” agrees Werner Grobbelaar, General Manager of the Major Tech division. “They give you all the fea- tures you need; volts, amps, resistance, continuity and, with Bluetooth, they offer instant reporting via your phone, which can prevent costly downtime. “We launched the MT2005 and MTi11 at Electra Mining 2018. The MT2005 is a True RMS Industri- al Digital Multimeter with built-in Thermal Imager and comes in a hard carry case, with charging sta- tion and extra battery,” he notes. The built-in Infra- red Thermal Imager offers electrical contractors the option of taking non-invasive measurements of potential hot spots. These images can be trans- ferred via Bluetooth to a smartphone for analysis. Thermal imagers allow electricians to predict potential trouble spots and help identify faults. “The temperature component was something that was not measured in the past,” says Grobbelaar. “This was because, for instance, five years ago our cheapest thermal imaging camera was R35 000, now it is R7000.” The MTi11 Compact Thermal Imager is an ideal add-on for electricians who already own a multim- eter. The MTi11 can be used for predictive mainte- nance, equipment troubleshooting, and verification. Thermal images are displayed on the LCD and can be saved to internal memory. Designed to make work easier, and more productive, the MTi11 comes with a Bluetooth instant share function so thermal images can be transferred to a smart phone to be analysed, shared and reported quickly. “While it is not a requirement for electricians to take a thermal image, the technology is available and has become affordable enough for most elec- electricity can be classed as one of the most dan- gerous trades as it is invisible. You can see water leaks, can see dangerous construction installations, but you cannot see electricity. These dangers mean following correct safety procedures is critical, including the use of safe work methods, wearing compliant clothing and develop- ing procedures and training to ensure workers are competent. It is also important to wear the appropri- ate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to reduce the risk electrical contractors are exposed to. For clothing, you cannot wear synthetic fabric while doing electrical work – if there is an incident it could melt onto your skin – compliant long sleeve, high vis- ibility shirts, long pants, hats and boots are the pre- ferred clothing for electrical contractors, with a hard hat, safety glasses and work gloves as accessories.

While he believes there is still a market for stan- dalone testers, Grobbelaar says that every elec- trician needs a full multimeter. “Equipment has become better and faster, with enhanced displays, improved response times and more features. With Bluetooth integration, digital meters have taken away the need for someone to walk alongside you and write down everything you measure. Meters these days are also more accurate as most entry level meters are equipped with True RMS,” he ex- plains. In January 2019 Major Tech will launch the MT1003 and MT1005 True RMS, full graphical heavy duty industrial multimeters with 320x240 TFT display. Both instruments measure 4-20mA process loop and offer data logging with Trend Capture. The MT1005 has a 50 000 count display and comes with Bluetooth. As Grobbelaar says, “The technology is there – why not use it?” With modern tools it becomes easier to maintain an electrical installation, whether residential or industrial, and professional workmanship on the part of the electrical contractor could lead to more referrals, and more business. Having this technology will allow electricians to offer a predictive, and therefore, preventative service. Checking for temperature is something they have not done in the past. New technology will save time as it will limit returns to the site and will ensure that electricians carry out a thorough job.

The Major Tech MT2005 True RMS Thermal Multimeter

The Major Tech MTi11 Compact Thermal Imager

Enquiries: www.major-tech.com

SAFETY CLOTHING FOR THE ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR T he three greatest dangers for electricians are working with electricity, working in confined spaces and working at heights. Working with Protective footwear must be used when a worker faces hazards from falling or rolling objects, objects piercing the sole, and if their feet will be exposed

proper safety gear and equipment? You may even be denied access to a site if you are not properly dressed, due to insurance requirements.

ute, to be deemed safe to wear. As an electrician, your job is already dangerous enough. Why make it less safe by not using the

to electrical hazards. In particular, Electrical shock resistant (EH) footwear is made with soles and heels not capable of con- ducting electricity, reducing the risk of injury significantly for electricians. To ensure the highest level of safety to those wear- ing them, this type of footwear needs to be capable of with- standing 14 000 V at 60 hertz for one min-

DECEMBER 2018 SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS