Electrician Tools Essentials Guide UK 2026

For an electrician, test equipment is not optional. It is the tool that keeps you legal, keeps your customers safe, and allows you to sign off your own work. Without the right testers, you cannot issue electrical installation certificates or EICRs, and no competent person scheme will register you.

Multifunction Tester (MFT)

The single most important piece of test equipment a UK electrician owns. The MFT is used to carry out the tests required for BS 7671 inspection and testing: insulation resistance, continuity, loop impedance (earth fault loop impedance), RCD performance, and polarity. You cannot issue an EICR or an Electrical Installation Certificate without one.

• Megger MFT1741: Industry standard. Used by the majority of UK electricians. Approximately £450–£600 new. Robust, well-supported, and widely understood by NICEIC and NAPIT inspectors
• Fluke 1664 FC: Strong alternative with Bluetooth data logging. Approximately £700–£900 new
• Kewtech KT65: Popular mid-range option at approximately £350–£450 new, often recommended for apprentices starting out

Buying second-hand MFTs is common, but always verify calibration. MFTs should be calibrated annually (or per manufacturer recommendation) to remain valid for certification purposes. Calibration costs approximately £80–£150 per instrument from a UKAS-accredited lab.

Voltage Tester

A non-contact or direct-contact voltage tester is your first line of safety before any work begins. The IET Code of Practice for Electrical Safety Management requires you to use a two-pole voltage tester (not a neon screwdriver) to prove dead before working on a circuit.

• Fluke T6-1000: Measures voltage through conductor insulation without probes, and also functions as a standard two-pole tester. Approximately £100–£130
• Fluke T150: Reliable, straightforward two-pole tester. Approximately £60–£80
• Martindale VP9 Voltage Presence Indicator: Used alongside a two-pole tester as part of a proving unit sequence. Approximately £30–£50

Proving Unit

Used to verify that your voltage tester is functioning correctly before and after proving dead on a circuit. Required as part of a safe isolation procedure. Examples: Martindale VP1 or Kewtech KT01. Approximately £15–£30.

RCD Tester

A dedicated RCD tester checks trip time and sensitivity of residual current devices without requiring a full MFT. Useful for quick RCD checks without setting up the full MFT suite. Approximately £100–£200. Many electricians use their MFT for RCD testing in practice, but a standalone unit is handy for speed on site.

Quality hand tools are a long-term investment. Cheap tools fail at inconvenient moments and can be dangerous: always buy insulated tools rated to IEC 60900 (1,000V) for any electrical work.

Insulated screwdrivers (VDE-rated)

VDE (Verband der Elektrotechnik) rated screwdrivers are tested and certified to withstand 10,000V, rated for use up to 1,000V AC. Every screwdriver you use for electrical work should carry the VDE or IEC 60900 mark.

• Wera Kraftform VDE set: Premium quality, excellent grip. Sets available from £50–£100
• Knipex or Wiha VDE sets: High-quality German-made alternatives at similar prices
• CK Tools VDE sets: Popular UK choice, good value at £30–£60 for a basic set

Pliers and side cutters

• Combination pliers (insulated VDE-rated): for bending and gripping cable
• Long nose pliers: essential for working in enclosures and fitting terminal blocks
• Side cutters (insulated): for cutting cable cleanly
• Cable stripping pliers: adjustable strippers for stripping cable sheaths efficiently

Knipex VDE-rated plier sets (3-piece) run approximately £60–£90 and will last a career with reasonable care.

Wire strippers

Automatic or semi-automatic strippers save significant time on large rewires. The Jokari or Knipex automatic wire stripper (approximately £25–£40) is widely used. For stripping twin and earth, a dedicated cable stripper (approximately £10–£20) is faster than a knife.

Cable knife and electrician's knife

For stripping SWA, armoured cable, and heavier multicore cable. A retractable hook-blade knife is the safest option: it cuts through the outer sheath without cutting the conductors inside.

Spirit level and chalk line

Required for straight conduit runs, consumer unit mounting, and neat cable installations. A 600mm spirit level is sufficient for most electrical work.

Fish tape and cable rods

Essential for pulling cables through walls, ceilings, and conduit. A 10–20m fibreglass fish tape (approximately £20–£50) handles most domestic situations. Cable rods (a set of flexible threaded rods that screw together) are used for longer or more complex runs.

Measuring tape and pencil

A 5m or 8m tape measure, ideally with a wide blade that stays rigid, is used constantly. Always have several pencils: they disappear on site.

Power tools take the physical effort out of chasing, drilling, and cutting. For a domestic electrician, the core set is relatively small but gets used every day.

SDS drill

The most-used power tool for electricians. Used for drilling holes in masonry, brick, and concrete for cable routes, back boxes, and containment fixings. SDS Plus is the standard format for domestic and light commercial work.

• Bosch GSH 3 Professional or Milwaukee M18 BLHACD, Recommended choices. Cordless SDS drills are now the preferred option, no trailing lead and sufficient power for domestic work
• Budget: £100–£250 for a quality cordless SDS Plus drill with battery and charger

Combi drill/driver

Used for drilling wood, driving screws into consumer unit mounting boards, fixing containment, and general fixing tasks. A 18V combi drill from a major brand (Bosch, Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita) is a must-have. Approximately £80–£150 as part of a twin-tool kit with an SDS drill sharing the same battery platform.

Jigsaw

For cutting back boxes into plasterboard, cutting notches, and general cutting tasks. A basic corded jigsaw is sufficient at £40–£80. Cordless is more convenient if you are already on a battery platform.

Angle grinder (110mm or 115mm)

Used for chasing channels into masonry for surface-run cable or embedded conduit. A 115mm angle grinder with a diamond chase-cutting disc or a dedicated wall chaser attachment. Budget £50–£150 for a basic corded angle grinder; a dedicated wall chaser (two parallel discs on a shrouded unit) is faster and cleaner at approximately £150–£300.

Battery platform strategy

Standardising on one battery platform (Bosch 18V ProCORE, Milwaukee M18, DeWalt 18V XR, or Makita LXT) across all your cordless tools is the most cost-effective approach. You buy batteries once, and every tool uses them. This matters more as your tool kit grows.

PPE is not optional. It is a legal requirement under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2022 when residual risk remains after other controls. Buying cheap PPE is a false economy.

Insulated gloves

Class 0 rubber insulating gloves (rated to 1,000V AC) are required when working near live conductors. They must be inspected before each use for cuts, holes, or cracks, and tested regularly. Approximately £30–£80 per pair from suppliers such as Regeltex, Cementex, or Honeywell.

Safety footwear

EN ISO 20345 rated boots with steel or composite toe cap. Look for electrical hazard (EH) protection and anti-static properties. Popular choices include Snickers, Scruffs, Rigger, and Timberland Pro. Budget £60–£150 for a durable pair.

Safety glasses

Required during drilling, cable pulling, and any task with debris or arc flash risk. EN166 rated impact-resistant lenses. Approximately £5–£20 per pair: buy several and keep them accessible.

Hard hat and hi-vis

Required on all construction sites. EN397 safety helmet, EN471 or EN ISO 20471 hi-vis vest or jacket. Approximately £15–£30 combined.

Knee pads

Not PPE in the legal sense, but essential for preserving your knees during underfloor cable work, floor-level consumer unit fitting, and installation in plant rooms. Approximately £20–£50.

An organised van is a productive van. Time spent searching for a specific gland, back box, or connector on site is unbillable time. A well-racked van also prevents tool and material damage.

Van racking options:

• Sortimo or Bott van racking: Professional powder-coated modular systems. Heavy-duty, lockable, and customisable. Approximately £800–£2,000 fitted depending on van size and configuration
• Van Guard or Rhino products: Mid-range racking at £400–£800
• DIY plywood racking: A cost-effective option for a startup, typically £100–£200 in materials if you build it yourself

Stock to carry:

• Assorted back boxes (single, double, 35mm, 47mm depth)
• Twin and earth cable (1mm², 1.5mm², 2.5mm², 6mm²)
• Conduit and fittings (20mm, 25mm)
• Cable clips, saddles, and surface boxes
• Assorted terminals (choc block, wagos, junction boxes)
• MCBs and RCDs (common ratings B6, B10, B16, B20, B32)
• Plugs, sockets, and switches (white and brushed chrome)
• Consumables: wire, cable ties, drill bits, fixings

Keeping your van stocked reduces wasted trips to the supplier and allows you to complete small jobs (adding a socket, a light fitting, a fused spur) from stock without a preliminary materials visit.

Starting as a self-employed electrician requires a tool investment. Here is a realistic budget breakdown:

• Multifunction tester (MFT): £400–£600 (buy new or verified calibrated second-hand)
• Voltage tester and proving unit: £80–£150
• VDE screwdrivers and insulated hand tools: £150–£250
• Cordless drill and SDS drill (twin kit): £250–£400
• Jigsaw and angle grinder: £100–£200
• Fish tape and cable rods: £50–£100
• PPE (gloves, boots, glasses, hard hat, hi-vis): £150–£300
• Tool bag or case: £50–£100
• Van racking (basic): £200–£600
• Initial van stock: £500–£1,000
• Miscellaneous (tape, pencils, drill bits, fixings): £100–£200

Total startup tool budget: approximately £2,000–£3,900

Add van purchase or finance, NICEIC/NAPIT registration (£400–£900 first year including assessment), insurance (£200–£400/year), and business setup costs, and total startup capital requirements typically fall in the range of £5,000–£12,000.

Kitting out the van is only half the job, the other half is keeping it busy. Tradehand answers every call and message the minute it comes in, day or night, so a customer ringing while you are mid-install still gets booked instead of calling the next electrician on the list, and it writes and chases the quote so the work turns into paid invoices faster. If you are planning the wider setup, our guide to becoming a self-employed electrician covers pricing, HMRC, and finding your first customers.

Buying strategy tips:

• Prioritise test equipment first. Without it, you cannot certify work or join a scheme
• Buy mid-range tools from established brands rather than budget tools or premium show-off equipment. Megger, Fluke, Wera, Knipex, Bosch, and DeWalt offer the best balance of quality, parts availability, and resale value
• Buy second-hand test equipment only if you can verify calibration is current
• Standardise on one battery platform from the start to avoid battery proliferation
• Lease expensive equipment (thermal camera, pipe or cable locator) rather than buying outright in Year 1