Often times I have been asked by new metermen or meter technicians what essential tools they need to buy to get started. They often laugh when I tell them that all they really need to get started is a good pair of lineman pliers and a good flat head screwdriver. The pliers will be used to cut meter seals and wire and the screwdriver will be used to take the sealing rings off the meter bases. Below are my personal recommendations.
Beyond good pliers and a good screwdriver, a good set of nut drivers will come in handy. These are used when working on meter bases, when installing CT’s and PT’s.
A good voltmeter is also a must and this is one that I recommend.
Of course if you are working in the metering field you are not always going to be working on equipment that is de-energized. As a meter tech some of the tools that you will need should be insulated tools. Below are some of the insulated tools that I recommend.
If you are the kind of person that wants to buy your tools all at once here is a kit from Klein. It includes four insulated screwdrivers and five different sets of pliers ranging from long nosed pliers to diagonal cutting pliers. The one thing that this kit does not include are Klein’s side cutting pliers.
If you need some insulated linesman pliers then these are the ticket.
Above you will see that I listed a set of nut drivers. While these are great you will also need a set of insulated nut drivers if you are going to be doing any kind of energized metering work. Whether you are working on a CT that is enerized or changing out a bad PT you are sure to come across an instance where you are going to need some insulated nut drivers. The most popular sizes you will use are 5/16″, 3/8″, 7/16″ and 1/2″. So, if you cannot afford to buy them all at once those are definitely the sizes to get.
As you can see there are many different tools that you need to be a meter tech. As I find more that I recommend I will update this page.