How to Care for and Use Insulated Tools Properly

Here at Haus of Tools we love insulated tools. They have an interesting history and manufacturing process, plus they look really cool with their unique color schemes and differing design that sets them apart and makes it slightly easier to tell they are insulated. It’s also really cool that they are a lifesaving technology and represent one of the coolest safety features that a tool can possess, which is it can protect you from an accidental electrical shock. Of course to make sure they actually DO protect you when the time comes, you need to take extra special care of your insulated tools, meaning they can’t just get chucked into the toolbox like a set of normal tools.

Because an insulated tool is designed to protect against an electrical shock up to 1,000 volts, it’s really important to make sure that you inspect the tool for damage prior to use. What you want to be on the lookout for is to ensure that tool doesn’t have any cuts, gouges, scrapes or cracks. If they do, that means the insulation has been compromised and it won’t protect you from a shock. If an insulated tool is found in this condition, it should be discarded.

Thankfully many tool manufacturers make such inspection easy. Many insulated tools feature dual insulation, not only for added protection, but the inside layer is often a different color from the outer layer thus making it easier to see if the outer layer has been compromised. Given that insulated tools are generally a higher investment than standard tools, and their functioning properly is a safety issue, you should keep them in a good, solid storage container and make sure they don’t get jostled around or come into contact with sharp objects. Though this isn’t always the case, many insulated tools come in combo sets and these sets typically come in a carrying case so it might be a good idea to buy one in that manner. By caring for your tools in this manner, you’ll have a good chance of keeping them free from blemishes.

Even though visual inspections for a breach are important, it’s not enough to just do that. Insulated tools also need to be kept clean. This is important because “Moisture, films or surface contaminants are conductive, so insulated tools should be kept clean and dry at all times.” One would hope that a tool wouldn’t get coated with a conductive substance while working near an electrical circuit, but it could happen. Probably the best thing to do is ensure the insulated tools are wiped down after use and if they become dirty, they should be cleaned immediately after use. It might also be a good idea to give them a good wipe down before use during your inspection for damage in case they’ve been spilled on while in storage. If you need a thorough cleaning, a noncorrosive cleaner like dish soap is the best option, or proprietary cleaners like Kline Kleaner wipes will work as well. It’s a no brainer that you don’t want to do this right before using them as a wet insulated tool shouldn’t be used.

Once you have ensured your insulated tools are clean, dry, free of blemishes and ready to use, the recommended use of an insulated tool usually stipulates that you power off the circuit BEFORE you start working on it. Even on a circuit that isn’t live, insulated tools should be used in case the circuit is unintentionally turned on. To prevent that, you might also wish to employ a lockout tag out to add an extra layer of safety.

Unfortunately, in a perfect world, not all circuits can be turned off or you might end up working on one that should have been turned off but wasn’t. Or you might work on the depowered circuit in close to proximity to something live. And it’s those circumstances where insulated tools really should be used. In those cases, the insulated tools should be used within and in conjunction with every available safety precaution and regulation. Most insulated tools are rated for safe usage on circuits up to 1,000 volts but tested for 10,000 volts, but it’s important to make sure that your tool is rated for the correct voltage of what you’re working. It’s not only important to keep you safe, but it helps keep others safe too. While an insulated tool is an important piece of safety gear, it doesn’t make you invincible, so make sure you’re using the right tool to work on the right voltage level and that you’re taking every step for safety that’s available.

Insulated tools are probably one of the coolest innovations to happen to tools in the last couple hundred years. They add an extra layer of safety when working on and around potentially dangerous environments where a live circuit is. To ensure that they provide the maximum amount of safety you need to inspect and maintain your tools as well as follow proper safety precautions while using them on the job. If you take care of your tools and use them properly, they’ll help take care of you.