Jason Cunningham from hand tools manufacturer KNIPEX highlights three VDE-tested favourites that deliver precision, safety, and versatility on every electrical job:
When every cut, grip, and connection counts, electricians need kit that performs flawlessly under pressure. KNIPEX has built its reputation on engineering tools that meet the demands of real-world site conditions: strong, precise, and reliable. Within its extensive VDE-tested range, there are plenty of must-have tools that bring safety and efficiency to everyday electrical work, including some firm favourites trusted by professionals across the trade.
One tool, six functions
The Pliers for Electrical Installation (13 96 200) can handle all the most common installation tasks. With six functions in one, these pliers can grip, bend, deburr, cut, strip, and crimp, so there’s no need for constant tool changes that slow work down.
The VDE-tested, insulated grips give electricians the confidence to work safely. Precision cutting edges handle copper and aluminium cables up to 15mm in diameter, while smooth tips hold single conductors securely without causing damage. The integrated stripping holes and crimping die make these pliers ideal for preparing and finishing conductors quickly and accurately.
An integrated pawl keeps the cutting edges securely closed while allowing other functions to remain active so users can grip without reopening the pliers. At just 200mm long and 280g, these pliers are great for small spaces and fit easily in any tool bag.
Feel the force
If you don’t want to carry around an entire set of spanners, the Pliers Wrench (86 06 250) is the tool to take with you. It combines the strength of pliers with the precision of a wrench and has an innovative design that delivers 10 times the manual force put in, holding workpieces like a vice without any damage to sensitive surfaces.
The parallel, smooth jaws grip flat fittings without marking, even on chrome, and you can be confident there will be no unintentional shift of the gripping jaws or slipping of the joint. It can be adjusted to widths up to 52mm using the push-button mechanism and can be set to the right wrench size away from the workpiece by using the laser-cut scales.
Fully VDE-tested with insulated handles, the Pliers Wrench is perfect for gripping, pressing, bending, and tightening. It’s a real all-rounder that saves space and boosts efficiency.
A KNIPEX classic
A long-time favourite among electricians, the Diagonal Cutter (70 06 160) is perfect for small spaces and cuts both hard and soft wire cleanly, right to the tip.
The slim head makes it ideal for use in junction and distribution boxes, and the precisely machined cutting edges mean even very fine stranded wire can be cut accurately. VDE-insulated grips ensure safety up to 1000V and a rust-resistant chrome plating means these tools are easy to clean and hold up under tough site conditions, even outdoors.
From first fix to final connection, electricians depend on tools that can keep pace with the demands of the job. KNIPEX’s focus on precision, safety, and ease of use means its tools are built for the realities of working on site. Whether it’s saving time, improving accuracy, or ensuring safety on live systems, well-made tools make every task that bit easier.
To view the full KNIPEX VDE range, visit the company’s website.
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