insulated tools

[jm1470]

I need to buy some new insulated tools and was wondering what you guys use I have look at Ideal but they seem kinda of expensive any ideas.

[Dennis Alwon]

I need to buy some new insulated tools and was wondering what you guys use I have look at Ideal but they seem kinda of expensive any ideas.


If you mean hand tools then I would say Klein or ideal. I like the ideal strippers but the Klein pliers. Good tools are expensive. The Home Depot & Lowes may have an off brand that are cheaper.

[Pierre C Belarge]

Here is a page I googled (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Insulated+hand+tools&aq=f&oq=) , that will help you with many choices.

These tools are going to be considerably more expensive than standard handtools. Maybe buy a few at a time as the need arises.

I have provided a set of insulated tools as door prizes at the local contractor meetings.

[mdshunk]

I need to buy some new insulated tools and was wondering what you guys use I have look at Ideal but they seem kinda of expensive any ideas.
If you think the tools are expensive, take a look at the prices of the clothing and safety gear you're required to wear while you're using them.

[Fulthrotl]

I need to buy some new insulated tools and was wondering what you guys use I have look at Ideal but they seem kinda of expensive any ideas.

i just bought a set of klien spin tights that were all pretty and orange
from my wholesale house.

not cheap. fat. like trying to tighten a bolt with a grapefruit.

like marc says, wait'll you get thru pricing barbies clothes, the tools
will look cheap.

[ptonsparky]

I have purchased a set of insulated screwdrivers from Johnstone supply in the past. The tips just do not seem to wear out. Don't have any other insulated tool unless you include the 33+ added to a nut driver.

[mickeyrench]

some of the industrial co. are following the nfpa 70e with arc fault and i think to be complient you will need the 1000 v rated tools. i don't believe kliens standard tools have any voltage insulation rating. before i buy any tools i would check their rating. i am not 100% sure on this so buyer beware.

[don_resqcapt19]

Given the hot work rules there are very few cases where you are actually permitted to use these types of tools. In general, the only hot work permitted is troubleshooting, and you don't need too many tools to do that.

[zog]

I have always used insulated tools from CIP, seem to be the best quality for the money.

[mattsilkwood]

i just bought a few screwdrivers made by felo. 1000v rated made in germany. they seem like a pretty decent tool but i havent had them long enough to make up my mind.

the best part is they were under 10 bucks apiece.

[wdemos]

Does anyone Know if Whia is making insulated screwdrivers for Ideal? They look just like my 1000v rated Whia set I have had for a few years.

[shockin]

Given the hot work rules there are very few cases where you are actually permitted to use these types of tools. In general, the only hot work permitted is troubleshooting, and you don't need too many tools to do that.


I agree. Can anyone give an example of a situation where it is permisable to actually use these tools? IMO all you need is a V-rated screw driver to remove the panel cover and the correct class of meter to troubleshhot with. If your using tools you're repairing not troubleshooting!

[zog]

I agree. Can anyone give an example of a situation where it is permisable to actually use these tools? IMO all you need is a V-rated screw driver to remove the panel cover and the correct class of meter to troubleshhot with. If your using tools you're repairing not troubleshooting!

Insulated tools are required whenever you are working within the LAB of exposed live parts, table 130.7(C)(9) of the NFPA 70E has a collum that tells you when insulated tools are required for specific tasks.

[shockin]

Insulated tools are required whenever you are working within the LAB of exposed live parts, table 130.7(C)(9) of the NFPA 70E has a collum that tells you when insulated tools are required for specific tasks.

Not quite. Table 130.7 is misleading. It gives people the impression that as long as you are wear the appropriate PPE and using V-rated tools it's business as usual. That's not the case. There are very few time when you are actually allowed to work on something energized. In our line of work we never encounter a situation when a shut-down can't be aranged as required by NFPA 70e

[whillis]

My local Costco has a set of 1000V insulated tools for $35.00. If I remember correctly it has needle nose & linesman pliers as well as some screwdrivers.

I make no comment on the quality because I have not looked at them closely. I'm just putting this out there for anyone who's interested.

[shockin]

My local Costco has a set of 1000V insulated tools for $35.00.

I'll do you one better. I got my Northern Tool and Equipment catalog the other day and they have their insulated tool set on clearance. Eight piece - 1000V for $8.00. (2 phillips, 2 slotted, 2 torx, needle nose, and side cutters) I don't think I'll run right out and buy one.

[zog]

Not quite. Table 130.7 is misleading. It gives people the impression that as long as you are wear the appropriate PPE and using V-rated tools it's business as usual. That's not the case. There are very few time when you are actually allowed to work on something energized. In our line of work we never encounter a situation when a shut-down can't be aranged as required by NFPA 70e

Sure, you need to have justification as I have posted in the safety FAQ's. http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=99114

But there are some systems that cannot be shut down, like battery systems, you just cant possibly de-energize them, that is a daily task for many service groups.

Table 130.7 is part of article 130, so if you read the entire article it is not misleading, you cant just pick and choose what you want to follow.

[electricalperson]

knipex sells a nice little insulated tool kit that comes with a big pair of dikes, linesmens and 3 screwdrivers: philips, slot and robinson. it was about 100 dollars

[LarryFine]

i just bought a few screwdrivers made by felo. 1000v rated made in germany.Don't forget to convert German volts to American volts!

[jm1470]

Has anybody heard of or use wiha insulated tools they are manufacture in germany and the price of the basic kit isn't to bad thanks for the help

[jsharvey]

All my stuff is from Klien but that's just personal preference. Spend the money for quality tools, especially these tools. They may be expensive but not as expensive as a funeral and besides, like my original JM always told me,, "Tools don't make the electrician, but they darn sure help."

JSHarvey

[mattsilkwood]

Don't forget to convert German volts to American volts!whats the formula for that larry?

[dsandberg]

I would check out NFPA 70E first. We spend a great deal of money training and equiping the field guys and our supervisors and sales people (anyone who will be in the vicinity of energized gear). Also review some pictures of Arc Flash. Been in the business 42 years and never thought much about it (never got burned but did get flashed).
Temperatures can reach 35,000F in a fireball moving at 5,000 ft per sec etc. You can't outrun this. I've always disliked insulated tools because you come to depend on them and can develop a false sense of security. They do develop knicks etc. over time. Next time someone tells you they can't afford to de-energize a circuit, ask yourself can you afford not to?