Aside from large electrical equipment, it encompasses everything needed to keep an electrician working. Some of the most common items are light switches, wall plates, wire connectors, and smart lighting controls.
What's in your tool bag is driven by the type of projects you are working on. Almost every operation must have a wide selection of reliable electrical outlets. The type of electrical supply products you need depends on whether you are installing them in a commercial building or a residential home.
With the increased popularity of smart homes, lighting controls can help you break into energy-efficient projects. Smart light switches give customers the ability to control their lights, thermostats, or ceiling fans with voice assistant apps like Alexa. An occupancy sensor prevents rooms in low traffic from being lit while no one is there. No more asking your children to go turn the bathroom or hallway lights off. These automation devices can help you up-sale your services.
A multimeter/voltmeter securely helps you test live electrical wire. To ensure everything you touch is safe, use a non-contact voltage tester to detect electrical power in cables, circuit breakers and wiring devices.
An industrial electrical project, such as assembly plants or factories, requires heavy-duty electrical boxes or enclosures, load centers, and other industrial-grade products that are designed to handle higher load current and are built for strenuous use. Depending on the type of industrial application, you may need safety switches for automatic shutoff or terminal blocks for power distribution.
All electrical operations need a variety of wiring supply items. Wire connectors, wireways, conduit fittings, and cable zip ties are just a few examples. They come in many shapes and sizes to fit your application and wire gauge. They are used in securing all electrical wires and devices to eliminate the risk of electrical arcing, shock, and fire.
Some older homes were run with aluminum building wires. If that applies to you, use an AlumiConn lug nut connector to properly pigtail aluminum wire to copper devices. Do not directly splice aluminum to copper as it will likely become an electrical fire hazard later down the road. Do not use traditional wire connectors or lever nuts as it will yield the same result.
Fun fact: Most electrical cables are marked with the material of the wire. Aluminum cables will have the word AL, ALUM, or ALUMINUM printed. If the cable is not marked or you don’t have access to the cables, you can’t always inspect the wires in your electrical panel. Aluminum wires are gray, while copper wires are brown.
If your home was built in the 60s to mid 70s, it is likely that the builder used aluminum instead of copper due to high copper price at the time.
You may also need equipment like struts or fittings to house electrical conduit, couplings, panel boxes, or cable trays. Struts function as a raceway for electrical wiring and are made from electrical metallic tubing (EMT) or PVC. Liquidtight conduit is recommended in damp or humid environments.
Many stores sell electrical supplies. Wherever you shop, make sure you’re choosing a distributor that stocks trusted and high-quality wiring supplies designed for professional use. Using low-grade products can lead to early breakage and potential fire. Commercial-grade products that conform with the National Electrical Code (NEC) are designed and constructed for durability. Our electrical supplies online company offers a wide selection of commercial-grade products for purchase.
The short answer is yes – if it was properly installed. Unfortunately, rushing to the closest hardware store to buy your generator after a major storm is, of course, not recommended. Not only would you be paying premium prices for the unit if there are any left, but you would likely bypass all the safety procedures using extension cords. Sadly, this practice is quite common and limits what you can power.
If you live in a region that is more prone to be hit by major storms, such as hurricanes or tornadoes, we recommend preparation. You should have a power generator installed into your home or commercial building power system.
One of the major mistakes that we often see is installing the generator directly onto the electrical panel without a transfer switch. This practice damages your appliances and the generator. It will also endanger utility workers near power lines trying to restore electricity.
A transfer switch is designed to switch an electrical load between two sources. If power is no longer available from your utility electrical systems, switch the power source from the line to your generator. Voila! The power is back on.
We understand DIY is attractive and could save you money. However, we highly recommend that you consult with your local certified electrician to have this properly planned and installed.
As a precaution, consider adding emergency lighting by your stairs and in the electrical room. In the event all power sources fail, this 8W rechargeable emergency light bulb will provide enough light to safely navigate to where you need to be.
If your budget allows, look into a stationary or standby generator to simplify your life. It has an automatic built-in transfer switch that does the work for you when power is out.
Contractors and DIYers alike know they can rely on HomElectrical for all kinds of wiring and connectivity projects. We have over 135,000 items in stock in our network of warehouses throughout the United States. HomElectrical carries:
We source our products from trusted brands like Klein Tools and Eaton Wiring. Have additional questions about electrical supplies that aren’t answered here?
Call HomElectrical at 888.616.3532 or create an account with us today.
