Innovative tool designs can really enhance the way electricians work by boosting efficiency, elevating safety standards and increasing comfort, says David Barnes, KNIPEX UK’s Marketing Manager.
A well-equipped toolbox featuring tools that are quick, precise and ergonomically designed can really improve an electrician’s day-to-day work. Navigating the complexities and time pressures of electrical contracting jobs, particularly when performed in challenging or cramped spaces, can be made easier if the tools you use are designed to carry out the task in hand to the highest levels.
By minimising the time required for each task, ensuring the integrity and safety of electrical systems and alleviating physical strain, these tools directly enhance job performance.
Through continuous development, KNIPEX delivers cutting-edge, efficient, and ergonomic tools that transform the everyday work of electricians, making their routines not just manageable but more productive as well.
The 2024 line-up of new tools includes the StepCut XL (95 18 250) and the Stripping Knife (16 50 145 SB), both examples of KNIPEX’s determination to design great tools that not only save time but also deliver standout performance.
A big ‘step’ up
Electricians frequently have to efficiently and safely cut through multi-conductor cables. The StepCut XL 95 18 250 meets this challenge head on, representing a significant advancement in cable shear technology. The tool is designed to cut with 60% less effort than traditional cable shears, a testament to its innovative leverage mechanics.
The inclusion of a pinch guard on the StepCut XL is a deliberate enhancement that protects the user’s fingers from getting pinched during operation. This feature, combined with the adjustable, high-leverage bolted joint, guarantees precise and fluid cutting.
The StepCut XL has an ergonomic design for superior user comfort. The handles are contoured, giving a comfortable grip close to the joint, allowing for both one-handed and two-handed use. It also has a unique dual cutting zone featuring stepped cutting edges, which secure both small and large cables near the pivot, maximising precision and control.
The front cutting edge is tailored for handling larger cables step-by-step, reducing user fatigue. Capable of cutting solid copper or aluminium cables up to 35 mm², stranded cables up to 70 mm² and fine stranded cables up to 120 mm², the StepCut XL offers great versatility.
Putting an end to the ‘Strip’ search
Cable stripping is an essential skill for electricians and it needs tools that put precision and user-friendliness first.
The Stripping Knife 16 50 145 SB from KNIPEX is designed to excel in these areas, equipped with advanced features that simplify the cutting of various cable sheaths.
This knife boasts a versatile blade that operates via a ratchet system, incorporating three distinct cutting zones designed for both circular and lengthwise cuts. A specially designed guide shoe safeguards the conductor’s insulation beneath the sheath, ensuring that only the sheath is removed and the conductor remains intact – critical for maintaining cable integrity and safety.
One highlight of this stripping knife is its ratchet mechanism, which makes cutting through even the most robust cable sheaths of up to 7 mm wall thickness, effortless. The blade, with its sickle-shaped hook design, folds neatly for safe transportation and features four locking positions to suit different cutting requirements.
The knife’s three-stage blade lock which prevents accidental deployment adds to the safety features. Additionally, the ergonomically designed handle enhances user comfort, and the integrated tether attachment point supports the Tethered Tool System, offering an added safety measure for electricians working at heights.
Taking the ‘Plier’ ground
KNIPEX is currently upgrading from pliers with multi-component handles to new comfort handles, taking the user experience from good to great. These upgraded handles are made with a three-component system that enhances the tactile feel and handling of the tools through improved texture and weight distribution. The components include a durable high-strength red section, a soft blue section for a secure grip and a grey area with a specialised surface structure for superior control.
Understanding the need for customisation in professional tools, KNIPEX also offers the ColorCode Clip system, allowing electricians to personalise their tools. Available in 10 bright colours, these clips not only make quick identification easy but also allow users to add a personal touch to their toolkits thanks to 3D printing, making each tool distinctively theirs.
Selecting tools that address the daily demands of electricians by simplifying tasks, reducing physical strain and improving job satisfaction, can enhance work conditions significantly. KNIPEX focuses on evolving the capabilities of electrical hand tools with continuous updates and attention to the changing needs of professionals.
Browse the full KNIPEX product range online here
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