What Is an Electrician’s Screwdriver?
Electrician’s screwdrivers are screwdrivers mainly used for electrical work.
Since they are often used for electrical work, insulators such as rubber or plastic are used in the grips to prevent electric shock, making them safer to work with than ordinary screwdrivers.
Electric shock will not occur through an electric screwdriver. However, if a part of the body, such as a finger, comes into direct contact with an energized wire during work, there is a risk of electric shock in a place unrelated to the electrician’s screwdrivers, so work should be performed after wearing insulated gloves and shoes.
Uses of Electrician’s Screwdrivers
Electrician’s screwdrivers are mainly used in the field of electrical work. The usage of electrician’s screwdrivers is no different from that of ordinary screwdrivers. Grip the large, bulging grip with the palm of your hand and place the tip of the screwdriver shaft over the cross-hole or single letter hole (hereafter referred to as “groove”) of the screw. Turning clockwise tightens the screw and counterclockwise loosens it.
When turning the screw, it is recommended that you press the rear end of the gripping portion against the screw with the palm of your hand in the direction of the screw while turning the screw. This is to prevent the tip of the screwdriver from coming off the groove and licking the groove when turning the screw.
There are two main types of grip shapes for electrician’s screwdrivers: ball grip type and cushion type. There is no superiority or inferiority of the grip shape, and it depends largely on the feel of the individual.
If you choose a Phillips screwdriver and a flat-blade screwdriver with different grip shapes, you will be able to tell the difference between them without looking at them visually, which will improve your work efficiency.
Principle of Electrician’s Screwdrivers
As the principle of the electrician’s screwdriver, there are two factors regarding the insulation of the electrician’s screwdriver.
1. The Screwdriver Shaft
The screwdriver shaft is not penetrated to prevent electricity from coming into contact with the grip and thus to prevent electric shock. For this reason, there are no through-through types of electric screwdrivers.
2. Grip
The grip portion that is touched during work is made of highly insulating rubber or plastic to prevent electric shock. While some ordinary screwdrivers have a shaft that goes all the way through to the grip and can be used by hitting it with a hammer, electrician’s screwdrivers do not have a through-through type because a shaft that goes all the way through to the grip would cause an electric shock.
Some products are made of ceramic or plastic to make them less susceptible to electric shock, but care must be taken because they are not completely insulated.
How to Select an Electrician’s Screwdriver
Electric screwdrivers should be selected according to the size of the screw to be tightened/loosened. Screw sizes are broadly classified as follows:
- Phillips screws: No. 1, No. 2, No. 3
- Flat head screws: 4mm, 5.5mm, 6mm, 8mm
It is recommended to have a screwdriver for No. 2 Phillips head screws and 5.5 mm flat head screws and to have other sizes as needed. If the tip of the electric screwdriver is too large for the screw groove, it will not fit into the groove. However, if the tip is too small for the groove, the screwdriver tip will be too shallow, and force will not be transmitted correctly to the screw.
Also, the screwdriver tip may gouge the groove and tarnish it, making it difficult to remove and install the screw. To be sure of the size of the electrician’s screwdrivers, it is important to choose a screwdriver that is large enough to fit completely into the groove. Besides, you may choose according to the length of the screwdriver shaft. When replacing a PC or equipment circuit board, for example, it is necessary to turn a screw located in a secluded place, and the tip of the screwdriver cannot reach the screw unless a long screwdriver shaft is used.
On the other hand, when working in a narrow space, a long screwdriver shaft makes it impossible to hold the screwdriver straight up against the screw. In this case, it is easier to work with a type with a short screwdriver shaft. The length of the screwdriver varies from product to product, but generally, the 200 mm length is the most commonly used.