Homeowner's Electrical Kit

Daily living is full of twists and turns that sometimes lead to challenges.  Sometimes those challenges are right at home. It does not matter whether your home is at a house, condo, or apartment. Some of these challenges are electrical and a basic-level Homeowner's Electrical Kit can help you overcome them.

Some people feel threaten by the idea of working with electricity.  Yet, if a person learns to both respect and learn to work with it, they may perform minor repairs or even some installations within the guidelines of national electrical codes. In addition, it helps to do some research through books, articles, and videos on how to use the tools but also how to legally make the necessary repairs and installations. Nonetheless, never attempt to make a repair or installation that goes beyond your confidence of knowledge, understanding, and skills set.

The following is a list of tools needed to perform basic-level electrical repairs and installations with a Homeowner's Electrical Kit (HEK). The HEK list was compiled from research and personal experience.

Homeowner's Electrical Kit list:
1 - 12 to 16" Tool Bag or Tool Box
1 - Safety glasses, with storage cover sleeve
1 - Pack of dust/particle mask
1 - Pair of rubber coated gloves, or of similar type
1 - Notepad with pen or pencil
1 - Compact flashlight and/or headlamp
3 - Pliers (8-inch; Needle-nose, linesman, and wire cutter/diagonal cutter)
1 - Multi-gauge wire stripper
1 - Conduit wire ripper
1 - Utility knife
1 - Tape Measure
6 - Screwdrivers (2 Phillips head, plus 1  stubby size; 2 Flat-head, Plus 1 stubby size)
1 - 1/4-inch Bit Driver, with a small assorted bit set
1 - Small magnetic dish tray

- - Electrical Testers
- Voltage tester light
- Continuity tester light
- Outlet tester, with GCFI test-button
- Multi-meter with test clips

- - Accessories
1 - Pack of assorted wire knots
1 or 2 - Roles of electrical tape
1 - Pack of assorted zip-ties