Tools
Electrical Engineering Tools
1. Basic Electrical Tools
| Tool | Purpose | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Multimeter | Measures voltage, current, resistance, continuity. | Fluke 87V or Brymen BM235 |
| Screwdrivers (Insulated) | For working on electrical connections and devices. | Wiha Insulated Screwdriver Set |
| Pliers (Needle-nose, Lineman) | For cutting, twisting, and holding wires. | Klein Tools Needle-nose Pliers |
| Wire Stripper | Strips insulation from electrical wires. | Klein Tools Wire Stripper/Cutter |
| Cable Cutter | Cuts through wires and cables. | Knipex Cable Cutter |
| Crimping Tool | For crimping connectors onto wires. | IWISS Ratcheting Crimper |
| Electrical Tape | Insulates and secures electrical connections. | 3M Scotch Electrical Tape |
2. Measurement and Testing Tools
| Tool | Purpose | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Clamp Meter | Measures AC/DC current without breaking the circuit. | Fluke 376 FC or Uni-T UT210E |
| Oscilloscope | Visualizes voltage signals and waveforms over time. | Rigol DS1054Z or Siglent SDS1202X-E |
| Function Generator | Generates electrical waveforms for testing circuits. | Siglent SDG1032X |
| LCR Meter | Measures inductance, capacitance, and resistance. | DER EE DE-5000 |
| Power Supply (DC) | Provides regulated DC voltage for circuits. | Rigol DP832 or Korad KD3005P |
| Insulation Tester | Tests insulation resistance in electrical components and systems. | Fluke 1507 |
| Thermal Camera | Detects heat emissions for identifying faults in components. | Flir TG165 |
| Logic Analyzer | Analyzes digital signals for testing digital circuits. | Saleae Logic 8 |
Best Instruments for Electrical Engineers
| Category | Model | Key Features | Price (AUD) | Why It’s Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multimeter | Fluke 87V | - True RMS, 20,000 count display, temperature measurement, accurate voltage & current reading. - CAT III (1000V) & CAT IV (600V) safety rating. |
~650 | High accuracy and reliability, suitable for both industrial and lab use. |
| Brymen BM235 | - True RMS, 6000 count, auto-ranging, non-contact voltage detector, temperature. | ~250 | Great value with robust features, ideal for mid-budget users. | |
| Klein Tools MM700 | - True RMS, auto-ranging, CAT IV 600V, 1000V measurement, NCV detector. | ~180 | Best budget multimeter with essential features for engineers. | |
| Clamp Meter | Fluke 376 FC | - True RMS, 1000A AC/DC, CAT IV (600V), CAT III (1000V), wireless data logging via Fluke Connect. | ~900 | High-end, precise clamp meter for current measurement in industrial applications. |
| Uni-T UT210E | - True RMS, 100A AC/DC, compact design, auto-ranging, NCV detection. | ~100 | Best budget clamp meter, compact, and good for everyday use. | |
| Klein Tools CL800 | - True RMS, 1000A AC/DC, CAT IV 600V, temperature, NCV detection. | ~250 | Great mid-range option with solid features for fieldwork. | |
| DC Power Supply | Rigol DP832 | - Triple output (30V/3A, 30V/3A, 5V/3A), high resolution, low noise, programmable interface. | ~1,100 | Highly versatile and programmable, suitable for precise lab applications. |
| Korad KD3005P | - Single channel, 30V/5A, programmable, over-voltage and current protection. | ~250 | Affordable and reliable for basic DC power supply needs. | |
| Tekpower TP3005T | - 0-30V, 0-5A, analog control, over-voltage protection. | ~150 | Good for engineers on a budget who need basic DC power regulation. | |
| AC Power Supply | BK Precision 9801 | - 300V AC, 10A, adjustable, programmable, dual display, remote control via USB. | ~2,200 | Advanced, highly accurate for testing various AC-powered devices. |
| APPA PQR1000 | - Portable AC power quality analyzer, CAT III 600V, with current and voltage monitoring. | ~1,200 | Mid-range option, great for measuring and analyzing AC power quality. | |
| AIM-TTI TGA1241 | - 240V, frequency range 10Hz-10MHz, high accuracy with waveform synthesis. | ~3,000 | High-performance lab-grade AC power supply with precise frequency control. | |
| Oscilloscope | Rigol DS1054Z | - 4 channels, 50 MHz bandwidth (upgradable), 1 GSa/s sampling rate, 12 Mpts memory. | ~550 | Best budget oscilloscope with solid performance, ideal for lab use. |
| Siglent SDS1202X-E | - 2 channels, 200 MHz bandwidth, 1 GSa/s sampling rate, 14 Mpts memory, waveform capture rate up to 400,000 wfm/s. | ~650 | Great value for performance, with higher bandwidth at a reasonable price. | |
| Tektronix TBS1052B | - 2 channels, 50 MHz bandwidth, 500 MS/s, basic FFT analysis. | ~900 | Reliable entry-level scope for education or general electronics work. |
Key Considerations
Multimeters: Fluke 87V is a gold standard for accuracy and durability, but if you need a mid-budget alternative, the Brymen BM235 is great for everyday engineering use. Klein Tools MM700 is a budget-friendly, essential multimeter.
Clamp Meters: Fluke 376 FC is highly recommended for professional and industrial work due to its precision and wireless logging, while the Uni-T UT210E is a budget-friendly and compact option for basic AC/DC current measurements.
DC Power Supply: Rigol DP832 offers superior control and versatility in lab environments, but the Korad KD3005P is an excellent budget choice with basic features for engineers.
AC Power Supply: BK Precision 9801 is top-tier for its precision and programmability, ideal for serious testing. AIM-TTI TGA1241 is a more specialized option for waveform synthesis.
Oscilloscopes: Rigol DS1054Z is unbeatable for its price-to-performance ratio, with upgradable bandwidth and great memory depth. The Siglent SDS1202X-E is a solid choice for higher bandwidth at a reasonable price.
3. Specialized Tools
| Tool | Purpose | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Soldering Station | For soldering electronic components. | Hakko FX888D or Weller WES51 |
| Desoldering Pump | Removes solder from circuit boards. | Engineer SS-02 Solder Sucker |
| Heat Gun | Shrinks heat shrink tubing, removes paint, etc. | Wagner Heat Gun |
| Hot Air Rework Station | For soldering and desoldering surface-mount components. | Quick 861DW |
| PCB Holder | Holds PCBs securely while soldering. | Kaisi Adjustable PCB Holder |
| Precision Tweezers | For handling small components and wires. | Hakko CHP Tweezers |
| Magnifying Glass with Light | For inspecting small circuits and components. | Brightech LightView Pro |
| Component Tester | Tests diodes, transistors, capacitors, and other components. | Atlas DCA Pro |
4. Safety Tools
| Tool | Purpose | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Insulated Gloves | Protects against electrical shocks. | Salisbury Electriflex Gloves |
| Insulated Mats | Protects from electric shock during testing. | Salisbury Switchboard Mat |
| Safety Glasses | Protects eyes during electrical work. | 3M Safety Glasses |
| Voltage Detector (Non-Contact) | Detects live voltage without touching wires. | Fluke 1AC II VoltAlert |
| Grounding Wrist Strap | Prevents static discharge when working with sensitive electronics. | StarTech.com Anti-Static Wrist Strap |
| Arc Flash Protective Gear | Protects against arc flash in high-voltage environments. | Oberon TCG Arc Flash Kit |
5. Tools for Design and Analysis
| Tool | Purpose | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Software | For designing circuits and PCBs. | AutoCAD Electrical, Altium Designer, KiCad |
| Circuit Simulation Software | Simulates electronic circuits before building. | LTSpice, Proteus, Multisim |
| PCB Design Software | For designing printed circuit boards (PCBs). | Eagle, KiCad, Altium |
| Mathematics Software | For engineering calculations and analysis. | MATLAB, Wolfram Mathematica |
| Project Management Software | To track and manage engineering projects. | Microsoft Project, Trello, Asana |
6. Construction and Installation Tools
| Tool | Purpose | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Drill (Cordless) | For installing electrical systems and drilling holes. | DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill |
| Drill Bits (For Metal) | Used with the drill for cutting through metal surfaces. | Bosch Titanium Drill Bit Set |
| Measuring Tape | Measures distances for installations and layouts. | Stanley PowerLock Measuring Tape |
| Level | Ensures equipment and installations are properly aligned. | Stanley FatMax Level |
| Punch Down Tool | For terminating wires into patch panels and jacks. | Fluke Networks Punch Down Tool |
| Conduit Bender | Bends metal or PVC conduit for wiring runs. | Gardner Bender BigBen Conduit Bender |
7. Connectivity and Network Tools
| Tool | Purpose | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Cable Tester | Tests the integrity of cables (Ethernet, coaxial, etc.). | Fluke Networks Cable Tester |
| LAN Tester | For testing network cables and connectivity. | Klein Tools VDV501-825 |
| Crimping Tool for RJ45 | Crimps RJ45 connectors onto network cables. | Klein Tools VDV226-110 |
| Wire Tracer | Identifies specific wires in bundles. | Fluke Networks Pro3000 |
8. Documentation and Labeling Tools
| Tool | Purpose | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Label Maker | Labels wires, cables, and electrical components. | Brother P-touch PT-D600 |
| Notebook or Tablet | For keeping track of measurements, drawings, and notes. | Moleskine Engineering Notebook or iPad |
| Cable Tags/Markers | Labels and organizes wires for easy identification. | Panduit Cable Markers |
9. Essential Workshop Items
| Tool | Purpose | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Workbench | Provides a sturdy surface for electrical work. | Seville Classics Workbench |
| ESD Mat | Anti-static surface for working with sensitive electronics. | StarTech.com Anti-Static Mat |
| Toolbox or Tool Belt | For organizing and carrying essential tools. | DEWALT ToughSystem Tool Box |
| Headlamp or Work Light | Illuminates work areas, especially in low-light conditions. | Black Diamond Spot Headlamp |
10. Reference Materials
| Resource | Purpose | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Code Books | Reference for local electrical codes and standards. | Australian Electrical Standards |
| Engineering Textbooks | For reference on circuit theory, design, and systems. | The Art of Electronics by Horowitz and Hill |
| Online Communities | Forums for troubleshooting and collaboration. | StackExchange (Electrical Engineering), Reddit r/ElectricalEngineering |