Here are four basic tools that every engineer should have in their toolbox.
1. Screwdrivers
A screwdriver is a fundamental tool for any engineer. There are two primary types of screwdriver: Flathead and Philips. Flatheads are used to turn slotted screws into place. Philips, on the other hand, have cruciform heads for screws with cross-shaped indentations. Your toolkit should feature an extensive collection of screwdrivers with varying sizes and shapes.
2. Jumper Cables
Jumper cables consist of wiring wrapped in an insulating material with metal alligator clips on both ends. These cables are used to generate an electrical current between two objects, and they are easy to use. However, there are safety precautions that must be observed when jumper cables are in use.
3. Digital Multimeter
A digital multimeter (DMM) is a device that is used to measure electrical values, such as amperage, resistance, and voltage. It is also known as a volt-ohm milliammeter or VOM. There are two types of digital multimeters that you can purchase: The handheld multimeter and the bench multimeter.
A handheld multimeter battery-powered and is designed to be carried around. Handheld multimeters are popular for their user-friendliness. However, their data collection capabilities are not precise. The benchtop multimeter is preferred by most engineers because it is highly accurate and more technologically advanced than its portable counterpart. The benchtop version must be fixed to a surface and it needs to be plugged in.
4. Flashlight
Occasionally, you will need to shine some light on a situation, and a good flashlight will do just that. The ideal flashlight for an engineer must be hardy and bright. It is also helpful to have a flashlight with a low battery notification system so you can insert new batteries before you begin a project.
Once you have these instruments in your toolbox, you’ll be ready to take on any project.