Business
Best Hand Tools for Electrical Contractors
Every callback costs twice: labour and reputation. One loose lug or overheated backstab can turn a profitable job into a margin killer. On a $6,000 service upgrade, a single half-day callback can erase 25–40% of projected profit.
That’s not theory. That’s payroll.
When margins are tight, tool selection becomes a productivity strategy – not a shopping trip.
- The right pliers save 3–5 seconds per splice.
- The wrong cutter increases grip force by 10–15%.
- Multiply that across hundreds of daily repetitions, and the workload compounds fast.
This isn’t about catalogues. It’s about geometry, metallurgy, ergonomics, and insulation ratings – the things that quietly decide whether you feel steady or fried by Thursday.
Best Lineman’s Pliers for Daily Rough-In Speed and Leverage
You’re twisting three #12 conductors in a cramped box, on a ladder, shoulder already tight. That’s where pliers either help—or start charging interest.
What Actually Matters
Key decision factors:
- High-leverage 9–9.5″ pliers
- Induction-hardened edges (58–64 HRC)
- Forged Cr-V or Cr-Mo steel (800–1,000 MPa tensile strength)
- Fish-tape grip (200–400 lb pull strength)
- Tether-ready (10–15 lb dynamic load)
- Weight: 16–18 oz (20–35% more cutting power)
Why These Specs Matter
- Pivot shift: Moving the pivot 3–5 mm closer to the edge yields 15–30% force reduction on 12 AWG copper.
- Harder edges: 58–64 HRC maintains sharpness for 10,000+ copper cuts.
- Handle spread: Look for 2.75–3″ open spread to avoid hand overextension.
Recommendation
If rough-ins dominate your week, choose high-leverage, induction-hardened, 9″ pliers.
Smaller hands? Avoid oversized cushion grips.
Best Long Nose Parallel Pliers for Precision Bending and Terminal Control
If you ever form a shepherd’s hook and feel the jaws flex—you know the difference between “fine” and proper.
What Sets Parallel Pliers Apart
Core comparison:
- Parallel-jaw long nose (1.5–2.5″ jaws)
- Box-joint construction
- 58+ HRC hardened jaws
- 18–22 oz
- 10+ year lifespan
- Standard needle-nose (14–16 oz)
- May develop 0.5–1 mm pivot play
- Insulated long-reach (8–11″)
- Smooth-jaw forming pliers
Why Parallel Jaws Are Better
Under 70–100 lb squeeze force:
- Parallel jaws = even pressure across the full conductor surface
- Scissor jaws = point pressure, deforming strands
Under 70-100 lb squeeze force, pressure distributes across 100% of the contact area. Standard scissor-style jaws concentrate force at points. That difference shows up in strand deformation.
When you torque device terminals to 12-20 in-lb, you want full-surface contact. Uneven hooks create partial contact points. Partial contact increases resistance. Resistance increases localized heat.
If build quality matters to you, Maun Industries makes long nose parallel pliers with box-joint construction and hardened jaws rated above 58 HRC. That box joint reduces lateral play to fractions of a millimetre compared to riveted pivots that drift to 0.5-1 mm. Less play equals cleaner bends over tens of thousands of cycles.
Yes, they weigh 18-22 ounces. Yes, they cost 30-60% more upfront. But lifespan can exceed 10 years in professional use.
If you mostly grip and pull, standard needle-nose is fine. If you form terminals all day, parallel jaws feel different – steadier.
You cut more than you think. That’s next.
Best Wire Strippers for Clean Copper and Zero Callbacks
Stripping should feel automatic. Clean. Almost boring.
A 0.005-0.010 inch nick in solid copper reduces cross-sectional area by 3-7%. That’s resistance. That’s heat. Especially when circuits run near ampacity.
Here’s the actual fork in the road:
- Fixed-gauge manual 10-18 AWG strippers (+/-0.001-0.002 inch machining tolerance), versus self-adjusting automatic 10-24 AWG strippers saving 1-2 seconds per strip but drifting after 20,000-30,000 cycles, versus combination stripper/crimpers rated 10-22 AWG, versus 1000V insulated strippers dielectric tested to 10,000V under IEC 60900.
Manual fixed-gauge tools give tactile feedback. When stripping #12 solid copper, you feel insulation shear without exceeding copper yield strength (around 33,000 psi for annealed copper). That control is what prevents scoring.
Automatic strippers cut strip time from ~3 seconds to ~1 second per conductor. In mixed-gauge work, that’s real speed. But springs and sliding dies lose calibration after 20,000-30,000 cycles. Calibration drift equals uneven insulation removal. Uneven removal equals fine scoring lines.
Look at stripped copper. Smooth circumference means clean cut. Fine scoring lines are stress risers. Now torque that termination to 20-25 in-lb and that weak point becomes the potential failure.
Also – box fill. NEC requires 2.0 cubic inches per #14 conductor, 2.25 cubic inches per #12. Sloppy stripping adds exposed copper and complicates arrangement. Crowded boxes increase arc risk.
Manual forged designs can last 5-10 years under heavy use. Automatic models trade durability for speed.
If installs are your bread and butter and conductor integrity matters most, fixed-gauge manual wins. If you’re in and out of service vans all day chasing mixed gauges, automatic tools pay back in time saved.
Once copper is clean, shaping it right decides whether torque holds.
Best Diagonal Cutting Pliers for Clean Cuts Without Wrist Fatigue
Diagonal cutters seem simple. They’re not.
Here’s the real comparison:
- High-leverage cutters with 15-30% force reduction on 12 AWG copper and 60-64 HRC hardened edges.
- Angled-head versions at 12-21 degrees reducing wrist deviation by 5-10 degrees, flush-cut precision cutters for soft copper and nylon ties under 50 lb tensile strength but dulling 2-3x faster on hardened materials
- Heavy-duty cutters rated for hardened wire up to 2.0 mm diameter and cable ties over 120 lb tensile rating, weighing 10-15% more.
Edge angles around 15-25 degrees determine cutting behaviour. Hardened edges at 60-64 HRC resist deformation. Flush cutters leave minimal protrusion – that saves knuckles later – but thin edges dull faster if misused.
Angled heads improve visibility and reduce wrist deviation by 5-10 degrees inside tight panels. That reduction compounds over 500 cuts.
Install-heavy week? High-leverage angled cutters. Finishing panels? Dedicated flush cutters.
Clean cuts support clean fastening.
Best Insulated Screwdrivers for Torque Control and Code Compliance
Loose terminations heat. Over-torque deforms lugs. Both are measurable.
Here’s the decision framework:
- 1000V VDE-rated screwdrivers individually tested at 10,000V under IEC 60900, torque-limiting insulated drivers adjustable 5-80 in-lb with +/-6% accuracy requiring annual or 5,000-cycle recalibration, multi-bit insulated drivers trading torque precision for compactness, and cabinet-tip drivers under 4 mm blade diameter for recessed terminals.
Branch breakers commonly specify 20-45 in-lb torque. Larger lugs can hit 250 in-lb. Under-torque by 5-10 in-lb and thermal cycling loosens it. Over-torque aluminium conductors and you reduce effective cross-section.
Insulation thickness of 2-3 mm dielectric layer increases handle diameter but protects up to 1,000V working voltage.
Torque-limiting drivers cost 2-4x more than standard insulated drivers. They also require recalibration. But they prevent inspection failures and reduce fire risk.
Panel installs and critical terminations? Torque-limiting. Device trim-outs? Standard insulated is fine.
After torque, you verify.
Best Voltage Testers and Multimetres for Fast, Reliable Diagnostics
That split-second pause before touching a conductor… that’s not drama. That’s instinct.
The real decision:
- NCVT detecting 50-1,000V AC with sub-1-second response, True RMS multimetres accurate +/-0.5-1% with CAT III 600V or CAT IV 600V safety ratings, clamp meters measuring 400-1,000A without disconnecting, and solenoid testers resistant to transient spikes.
True RMS meters handle non-linear loads like VFD-driven systems. Averaging meters can misread distorted waveforms by 10-30%. That’s not small.
Clamp meters improve safety by avoiding disconnects. CAT III and CAT IV ratings indicate transient overvoltage tolerance in commercial panels.
Advanced meters cost 2-3x more than basic testers. Misdiagnosis costs more.
Commercial? True RMS. NCVT is preliminary only.
Tools don’t help if they’re buried.
Best Tool Bags and Pouches for Crew Efficiency and Reduced Fatigue
Dragging a 40-pound bag across concrete before you even start drains energy.
The core choice looks like this:
- Open-top structured totes 14-18 inches wide holding 20-30 tools visibly, compact electrician pouches weighing 3-5 lb unloaded for ladder work, backpack tool bags rated 50 lb load distributing weight bilaterally to reduce spinal torque, and modular stackable systems rated 75-100 lb per unit improving truck organization but reducing remodel agility.
Backpacks distribute 30-40 lb across both shoulders instead of one. Bilateral load reduces spinal torque compared to single-strap systems (source). Structured totes save 5-10 seconds per retrieval. Multiply that across dozens of grabs daily.
Service days? Backpack. Controlled installs? Structured tote.
Quick Reference: Choosing the Right Electrical Hand Tool Archetype
| Goal | Best Product Type | Strength | Caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faster rough-ins | High-leverage lineman’s pliers | 20-35% force reduction | Slight weight increase (2 oz) |
| Clean conductor prep | Fixed-gauge wire strippers | +/-0.002 in precision stripping | Requires gauge awareness |
| Precision terminal bends | Long nose parallel pliers | Even pressure, reduced strand deformation | 30-60% higher upfront cost |
| Clean trimming | Angled high-leverage cutters | 15-30% force reduction | Flush edges dull faster |
| Code-compliant torque | Torque-limiting insulated screwdrivers | +/-6% torque accuracy | Annual calibration required |
| Accurate diagnostics | True RMS multimetre | +/-0.5-1% measurement accuracy | Higher upfront cost |
| Reduced physical strain | Backpack tool bag | Balanced load up to 50 lb | Larger footprint |
Every tool choice compounds something – strain or efficiency. Frustration or control. By Friday afternoon, you feel which direction you chose.
People say they are being charged massively inflated prices for heating oil they already paid for.
JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images
At first glance, everything seems to be chugging along just fine at Adobe (ADBE). Their earnings on Thursday continued to show that revenue is still growing at a double-digit rate, with operating margins remaining
Brent futures for May were up $1.59, or 1.58%, to $102.05 a barrel at 11:35 a.m. CDT (1635 GMT), heading for a weekly increase. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for April gained $1.15, or 1.2%, to $96.88 a barrel, and was also set for an uptick on the week.
“We’re getting hammered by the news,” said Phil Flynn, senior analyst for Price Futures Group. “We’re coming into another weekend where you could see this over by Monday. Then again, we could see the war still going on and the market will be testing highs on Sunday night.”
The U.S. issued a 30-day license for countries to buy Russian oil and petroleum products stranded at sea. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said it was a step to stabilise global energy markets roiled by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
This will affect 100 million barrels of Russian crude, equal to almost a day’s worth of global output, according to Russia’s presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
“Russian oil was already going to buyers; this is not bringing additional barrels to the market but it does reduce some friction,” said Bjarne Schieldrop, chief commodities analyst at SEB.
“The market is starting to get very concerned that this (war) is going to last longer. The big fear is that we have severe damage to oil infrastructure, which would be a lasting loss of supply.”
OIL TO BE RELEASED FROM STOCKPILES
The announcement on Russian oil came a day after the U.S. Energy Department said Washington would release 172 million barrels of oil from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help curb skyrocketing oil prices.
That plan was coordinated with the International Energy Agency, which has agreed to release a record 400 million barrels of oil from strategic stockpiles, including the U.S. contribution.
Fleeting relief sparked by the IEA release, however, was shattered by a re-escalation of Middle East risks, IG analyst Tony Sycamore said in a note.
Iran’s new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said Iran would fight on, and keep the Strait of Hormuz shut as leverage against the United States and Israel.
Two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters were struck by explosives-laden Iranian boats, Iraqi security officials said on Thursday. An Iraqi official told state media the country’s oil ports have completely stopped operations.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States stood to make significant money from oil prices, driven higher by the war with Iran. But stopping Iran from getting nuclear weapons was far more important, he said.
Both benchmark prices surged more than 9% on Thursday and hit their highest levels since August 2022.
Goldman Sachs predicted on Friday that Brent oil would average more than $100 a barrel in March and $85 in April, as energy prices remain volatile due to the Iran war, damage to Middle East energy infrastructure and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Brent is better supported than WTI because Europe is more susceptible to energy security issues, while the U.S. is able to stave off its exposure due to its domestic output, said Emril Jamil, senior analyst at LSEG.
In another sign the disruptions may drag on, sources told Reuters that Iran had deployed about a dozen mines in the strait, a move that is likely to complicate the reopening of the critical waterway.
New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said in a statement on Thursday Iran would continue to block the Strait of Hormuz and attack neighbouring nations that host U.S. military bases.
Treasury Secretary Bessent told Sky News in an interview that the U.S. Navy, perhaps with an international coalition, would escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz when it is militarily possible.
Form 4 Pegasystems Inc For: 14 March
Form 4 Q2 Holdings For: 14 March
Form 4 Enanta Pharmaceuticals Inc For: 14 March
Business
Mutual fund portfolio down Rs 1.5 lakh in 12 days. Is the decline due to regular plans or market volatility?
A similar situation was faced by Vijay, a 43-year-old IT professional from Haryana and a viewer of The Money Show on ET Now. His mutual fund portfolio, originally created by his father in 2013 and transferred to him in 2023, is currently valued at around Rs 31 lakh against a total investment of Rs 15.5 lakh.
The portfolio consists entirely of regular plans from a single fund house – SBI Mutual Fund and includes schemes such as SBI Equity Hybrid Fund, SBI Contra Fund, SBI ESG Fund, SBI Consumption Opportunities Fund, SBI Focused Fund, and SBI MNC Fund. Vijay had also been investing through SIPs earlier, but stopped contributions in October 2025.
Also Read | Domestic vs global investors: How silver ETF bets played out differently in 400% rally
Recently, he noticed that the value of his portfolio declined by around Rs 1.5 lakh in just 12 days. This led him to believe that being invested in regular plans could be the reason behind the loss, prompting him to consider redeeming the investments and moving to direct plans. He is also planning to restructure his portfolio and use the available long-term capital gains exemption of Rs 1.25 lakh before March 31.
Vijay also proposed a new portfolio allocation where 50% would be invested in flexi-cap funds such as Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund and HDFC Flexi Cap Fund, around 15% in midcap funds, including HDFC Midcap Fund and Edelweiss Midcap Fund, about 15% in global equities, and nearly 10% in gold.
In addition, he continues to invest Rs 90,000 per month through SIPs and aims to build a corpus of around Rs 1 crore within five years. He also wants to know whether his diversification plan is appropriate and which funds may be suitable for long-term retirement planning.
Existing portfolio analysis
According to Vishwajeet Parashar, a mutual fund expert, the first issue in Vijay’s portfolio is concentration risk. All the investments are currently with a single asset management company. While SBI Mutual Fund is the largest fund house in India, having all investments within one AMC may not be ideal. Diversifying across different fund houses can help reduce risk and improve portfolio balance.
However, Parashar advises Vijay not to redeem the entire portfolio at once. “He should diversify across AMCs for better diversification, and should not idly redeem the entire 30 lakhs in one chunk and he should withdraw slowly and gradually because otherwise, he would draw a good amount of capital gain tax,” Parashar said.
Since Vijay invested around Rs 15 lakh and the current value is close to Rs 30 lakh, the capital gains amount to roughly Rs 15 lakh. Redeeming the entire amount in one go could result in a capital gains tax of nearly Rs 1.8 lakh. Instead, he suggests withdrawing the money gradually across financial years. This staggered approach can help reduce the tax burden and avoid exiting the market at a single point.
He also recommends using the available long-term capital gains exemption of Rs 1.25 lakh before March 31 by redeeming units accordingly from selected funds.
Within the current portfolio, Parashar believes that two schemes—SBI Contra Fund and SBI Focused Fund—are strong performers and can be continued. The remaining funds may be gradually redeemed as Vijay restructures his portfolio and diversifies across fund houses.
“He can go slowly and instead of timing the market also in one shot, so it would be better if he can take out a few lakhs this financial year and maybe a few lakhs in the next financial year, so that would stagger the investment also. Having said this, two of his funds within the SBI category, SBI AMC, are good,” Parashar said
“So, he should continue with that like the SBI Contra Fund and SBI Focused Fund. The rest of the funds he can think of withdrawing. And yes, he is definitely right. He should enjoy this capital gain benefit of 1.25 lakh before March 31st, so he can withdraw from other funds and take this advantage,” the expert further said.
Decline in portfolio – Regular plan or market volatility
Addressing Vijay’s concern about the recent decline in his portfolio, Parashar clarified that the loss is not linked to the fact that the funds are regular plans. The fall is largely due to market volatility and geopolitical tensions affecting equity markets currently. The difference between direct and regular plans lies primarily in the expense ratio, as direct plans have lower costs because they do not include distributor commissions.
However, investors should note that shifting from regular to direct plans is treated as a redemption followed by a fresh investment. Even if the switch is within the same fund house, it will still be considered a redemption for tax purposes. Therefore, investors should plan such transitions carefully while keeping tax implications in mind.
Proposed allocation
Looking at Vijay’s proposed allocation, Parashar believes the overall selection of funds is good but suggests avoiding duplication within categories. Instead of investing in two flexi-cap funds, he recommends choosing Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund, which also provides some exposure to global equities. Similarly, among the midcap options, he suggests continuing with HDFC Midcap Fund rather than holding two midcap schemes.
Along with these funds, Vijay can continue with the SBI Contra Fund and the SBI Focused Fund. This combination would provide diversification across fund houses and investment styles. Since Vijay is also planning to invest directly in gold and silver, he may not need additional multi-asset or multi-cap funds for diversification.
From a financial goal perspective, Vijay appears to be on track. With SIP contributions of Rs 90,000 per month and assuming an average return of around 12% annually, his SIP investments could grow to roughly Rs 73 lakh over the next five years. His current portfolio value of about Rs 29.5 lakh, after the recent decline, could potentially grow to around Rs 52 lakh over the same period. Together, this would take the total corpus to approximately Rs 1.25 crore, which is higher than his target of Rs 1 crore.
Also Read | Gold and silver ETFs slip up to 3% as rising crude prices dampen rate cut hopes. Is it time to buy or wait?
Retirement planning
For long-term retirement planning, Parashar suggests that Vijay may eventually consider hybrid-oriented funds that offer better downside protection. Funds such as ICICI Balanced Advantage Fund or ICICI Multi Asset Fund can help balance equity exposure and reduce volatility during market downturns.
He recommends that Vijay continue with his equity-oriented portfolio for now and gradually move a portion of the corpus toward hybrid or debt-oriented funds about a year before retirement to safeguard the accumulated gains.
Overall, the key takeaway for investors is that short-term declines in mutual fund portfolios are usually linked to market movements rather than the type of plan chosen. While shifting from regular to direct plans can reduce costs over time, not offset the loss incurred in the portfolio. So, such decisions should be made carefully with attention to taxation, diversification, and long-term investment goals.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
If you have any mutual fund queries, message on ET Mutual Funds on Facebook/Twitter. We will get it answered by our panel of experts. Do share your questions on ETMFqueries@timesinternet.in alongwith your age, risk profile, and Twitter handle.
as a Reliable and Trusted News Source
Domino’s Pizza EVP Headen sells $697k in shares
Spot gold fell 0.5% to $5,052.15 per ounce, by 1:44 p.m. ET (1744 GMT), and was down over 2% for the week so far.
U.S. gold futures for April delivery settled 1.3% lower at $5,061.70.
“While the market remains strongly bullish gold long term on asset allocation drivers, bullion is grinding towards lows since the Iran conflict started with the dollar at nearly four-month highs,” said Tai Wong, an independent metals trader.
The U.S. dollar was on course for a weekly rise, making greenback-priced bullion less affordable for other currency holders.
Commerzbank in a note said expectations of a more restrictive monetary policy are the main reason why the price of gold has come under pressure.
While gold is prized as a traditional hedge against inflation and periods of uncertainty, elevated rates typically curb its appeal by increasing the cost of holding bullion. Data showed U.S. consumer spending increased slightly more than expected in January, which together with continued strength in underlying inflation and the war in the Middle East bolstered economists’ views that the Federal Reserve would not resume cutting interest rates for some time.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. was going to be hitting Iran “very hard over the next week”, shortly after issuing a partial 30-day waiver for purchases of sanctioned Russian oil.
Oil prices dipped but were on track for weekly gains as Gulf disruptions due to the conflict broadly persisted.
Elsewhere, resumption of some flights from Dubai has allowed gold flows from this major global trading hub to restart partially this week, three sources told Reuters.
Among other metals, spot silver lost 3.3% to $81.00.
Platinum fell 4% to $2,047.20 and palladium shed 2.5% to $1,569.00. The sister metals are on track to post weekly losses.
SDVD: Just Offsetting Return Shortfall By 8% Yield
Dr Amir Khan shares five ‘surprising’ things that raise blood sugar – and none are food
'I was charged double for oil I already paid for'
Politics Home Article | Lib Dems Fear Frustrated MPs Could Defect To The Greens
-
Tech3 days agoA 1,300-Pound NASA Spacecraft To Re-Enter Earth’s Atmosphere
-
News Videos5 days ago10th Algebra | Financial Planning | Question Bank Solution | Board Exam 2026
-
Crypto World5 days agoParadigm, a16z, Winklevoss Capital, Balaji Srinivasan among investors in ZODL
-
Business4 days agoExxonMobil seeks to move corporate registration from New Jersey to Texas
-
Crypto World3 hours agoHYPE Token Enters Net Deflation as HyperCore Buybacks Outpace Staking Rewards
-
Fashion13 hours agoWeekend Open Thread: Addict Lip Glow
-
Tech4 days agoChatGPT will now generate interactive visuals to help you with math and science concepts
-
Sports6 days agoThree share 2-shot lead entering final round in Hong Kong
-
Sports6 days agoBraveheart Lakshya downs Lai in epic battle to enter All England Open final | Other Sports News
-
NewsBeat3 days agoResidents reaction as Shildon murder probe enters second day
-
Business6 days agoSearch for Nancy Guthrie Enters 37th Day as FBI Probes Wi-Fi Jammer Theory
-
Business3 days agoSearch Enters Sixth Week With New Leads in Tucson Abduction Case
-
NewsBeat4 days agoPagazzi Lighting enters administration as 70 jobs lost and 11 stores close across Scotland
-
Tech5 days agoDespite challenges, Ireland sixth in EU for board gender diversity
-
Business4 days agoSearch Enters 39th Day with FBI Tip Line Developments and No Major Breakthroughs
-
NewsBeat3 days agoI Entered The Manosphere. Nothing Could Prepare Me For What I Found.
-
Sports5 days agoSkateboarding World Championships: Britain’s Sky Brown wins park gold
-
Crypto World4 days agoWill Chainlink price reclaim $10 amid volatility squeeze?
-
Sports5 days agoTomorrow’s Top 25 Today: Florida jumps to No. 4; Louisville, Wisconsin enter projected rankings
-
Sports2 days agoPWHL, Senators discussing plan to keep Charge in Ottawa