Electronics

Hand Tools for

Electronic Technicians

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Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
Presentation Overview
 Types of Hand Tools
 Tools and Their Uses
 Factors to Consider When Selecting Tools
 Tool Maintenance Procedures

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved. 2

Tool Hazards
 Hand tools are non-powered. They include anything from axes to wrenches. The greatest hazards
posed by hand tools result from misuse and improper maintenance.

 Examples
• Using a screwdriver as a chisel may cause the tip of the screwdriver to break and fly, hitting the
user or others.
• If a wooden handle on a tool such as a hammer or an axe is loose, splintered, or cracked, the head
of the tool may fly off and strike the user or others.
• A wrench must not be used if its jaws are sprung, because it might slip.
• Impact tools such as chisels, wedges, or drift pins are unsafe if they have mushroomed heads.
The heads might shatter on impact, sending sharp fragments flying.
Rules
 The trainer is responsible for the safe condition of tools and equipment used by trainees, but
the employees have the responsibility for properly using and maintaining tools.
 Employers should caution employees that saw blades, knives, or other tools be directed
away from aisle areas and other employees working in close proximity. Knives and scissors
must be sharp. Dull tools can be more hazardous than sharp ones.
 Appropriate personal protective equipment, e.g., safety goggles, gloves, etc., should be worn
due to hazards that may be encountered while using portable power tools and hand tools.
 Safety requires that floors be kept as clean and dry as possible to prevent accidental slips
with or around dangerous hand tools.

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Electrical Safety

The most common electrical states and electrical hazards

which PC technicians face are:
Static Electricity
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
Electrical Hazards
Electrocution
Electric shock
Burns
Collateral injuries
Static Electricity

Static electricity is a build-up of a stationary electrical charge

on an object.

Object 1 Object 2

Object 1
Object 2
Electrostatic Discharge

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) occurs when electrons rush

from one body with a static electrical charge to another with
an unequal charge.
ESD Prevention Techniques

You can protect against ESD in your work environment by:

Eliminating unnecessary activities that create static charges.
Removing unnecessary materials that are known charge
generators.
Using anti-static vacuums for cleaning computer components.
Using anti-static materials.
Grounding conductive materials.
Using anti-static bags to store computer components.
Using an air ionizer, which releases negative ions into the air.
Humidifying the air to speed up static discharge from
insulators.
Grounding yourself before touching electronic equipment.
An ESD Toolkit

An ESD-protection equipment includes:

Wrist or ankle strap
Grounded floor mat or grounded work-surface mat
Anti-static bags
ESD smock
Electrical Hazards

The following are some potential electrical hazards you

should be aware of when servicing a PC:
Electrocution (fatal)
Electric shock
Burns
Collateral injuries
Environmental Safety and Materials Handling

Some potential environmental hazards you might face as a

PC technician are:
Atmospheric Hazards
Situational Hazards
Physical Hazards
Chemical Hazards
Liquid Hazards
Types of Hand Tools
 Long nose pliers
 Needle nose pliers

 Used for gripping and holding

 Can reach into narrow areas

 Work with small parts

 Diagonal side cutting pliers

 Cutting and stripping wire

 Can cut thin metal

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Types of Hand Tools (continued)
 Lineman’s side cutting pliers
 Heavy duty gripping and
cutting

 Combination slip joint pliers

 Adjustable opening for a
large number of gripping
applications

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Types of Hand Tools (continued)
• Flat head screwdrivers
• Straight head for slotted screws
• Sized using fractional inch
• Example- 1/4” and 1/8”

•Phillips head screwdrivers (and detail)

• Crossed head
• Sized by number
• Example- #2 (most common), #1
(smaller)

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Types of Hand Tools (continued)

•6-in-1 tool •Adjustable wire strippers

• Pliers, knife, screwdriver, can (and detail)
opener, scissors

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved. 15

Types of Hand Tools (continued)

 Crescent wrench
 Adjustable
 Fits a variety of nuts and bolt
sizes
 Hex wrench
 Or Allen wrench
 Hexagon shape
 Six sides

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Types of Hand Tools (continued)
 Socket wrench
 Ratcheting wrench
 A variety of removable

sockets in different sizes

 Claw hammer
 Use the head to deliver a force
or impact
 Use the claw as a pry

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 Nut driver
 Socket at the end of a shaft
 Similar to screwdriver
 Used where space is
limited
 Wire gauge
 A form of wire strippers
with fixed opening sizes
 Also used for crimping

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TWIZZER
Digital Multimeter
Measures
- Voltage
- Resistance
- Current

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Voltage Test
 Voltage is measured across (in parallel with) a circuit or
component
 The circuit must be energized
 Observe all electrical safety rules
 Set the meter to its highest scale
 Connect ground lead first
 Use only one hand if possible (use clip leads)

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Resistance Test
 Measurement is also across a component
or circuit
 Circuit must be de-energized
 Discharge all capacitors
 Be aware you may be reading parallel circuit resistance
values
 Disconnect one lead of the component to be measured
 May have to de-solder a component

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Current Test
 Meter goes in series with the circuit
 Will become part of the circuit
 De-energize the circuit first
 Make the connection, then turn power on
 May require different lead connections
 Never place a current meter across a component
 Meter will have low resistance
 Will blow the internal fuse

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ANALOG MULTITESTER
 A multimeter or a multitester, also known
as a VOM (Volt-Ohm meter or Volt-Ohm-
milliammeter ), is an electronic measuring
instrument that combines several
measurement functions in one unit. A typical
multimeter would include basic features such
as the ability to measure voltage, current,
and resistance. Analog multimeters use
a microammeter whose pointer moves over a
scale calibrated for all the different
measurements that can be made.
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reserved.
TEST LIGHT
A test light, test lamp, voltage tester,
or mains tester is a simple piece of electronic
test equipment used to determine the presence
or absence of an electric voltage in a piece of
equipment under test.
SOLDERING IRON
 A soldering iron is a hand tool used
in soldering. It supplies heat to melt solder so
that it can flow into the joint between two
work pieces.
TYPES OF SOLDERING IRON
 SIMPLE IRON
 CORDLESS IRON
 TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLED
SOLDERING IRON
 Soldering tweezers

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reserved.
CORDLESS IRON
 Small irons heated by a battery, or by
combustion of a gas such as butane in a
small self-contained tank, can be used when
electricity is unavailable or cordless operation
is required.
Temperature-controlled
soldering iron
 A soldering station, invariably temperature-
controlled, consists of an electrical power
supply, control circuitry with provision for user
adjustment of temperature and display, and a
soldering iron or soldering head with a tip
temperature sensor.
Soldering tweezers
 The tweezers have two heated tips mounted on arms
whose separation can be manually varied by squeezing
gently against spring force, like simple tweezers; the tips
are applied to the two ends of the component. The main
purpose of the soldering tweezers is to melt solder in the
correct place; components are usually moved by simple
tweezers or vacuum pickup.
 Factors to Consider When
Selecting Tools
A. Tool size should be matched to the work most frequently encountered
B. Purchasing quality tools is less expensive in the long run
C. Tools should be specifically for electronic use when possible
1. Should have insulation on the handles of the pliers
2. Should have insulation on the handles of the screwdrivers
D. Know the specifications before purchasing a tool

(Note- When in doubt about what tools are best, consult a practicing electronics
specialist in your area.)

Examples
 Pliers, long chain nose, 5”, with plastic grip handles, and serrated jaws
 Flat blade screwdriver, electrician’s round shank, 6” x 3/16” blade with
cushion grips

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 General Tool Safety
• Keep all tools in good condition with regular
maintenance
• Use the right tool for the job
• Examine each tool for damage before use
• Operate according to the manufacturer's instructions
• Provide and use the proper protective equipment

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Tool Maintenance Procedures
A. Screwdrivers
1. Regrind worn or damaged flat head screwdrivers
2. Discard damaged Phillips screwdrivers
B. Pliers
1. Keep pliers clean and rust free
2. Keep cutting edges sharp and smooth
3. Keep pliers working freely
4. Repair or replace damaged handle insulation
C. Adjustable wrenches- Keep worm gears clean and lubricated
D. All tools- identify tools by labeling with an electric vibrator pen or
scratch awl

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