Here’s a glossary of electronic tools and equipment terms, covering hand tools, test instruments, power tools, diagnostic devices, and electronic measurement tools used in electronics, IT, and electrical work.
🛠️ ELECTRONIC TOOLS GLOSSARY
A
AC / Alternating Current Tester – Tool for measuring AC voltage in circuits.
Adjustable Wrench / Spanner – Tool for gripping and turning nuts or bolts of various sizes.
Anti-Static Wrist Strap / ESD Strap – Prevents electrostatic discharge from damaging components.
Analog Multimeter / VOM – Measures voltage, current, and resistance using analog needle display.
Amp Clamp / Current Clamp – Measures current in a wire without breaking the circuit.
B
Breadboard / Solderless Prototype Board – Used for prototyping circuits without soldering.
Bit Set / Screwdriver Bits – Interchangeable heads for screwdrivers and drills.
BGA Rework Station / Ball Grid Array Repair – Equipment for soldering and desoldering BGA ICs.
Battery Tester / Cell Analyzer – Checks battery voltage, capacity, and health.
BNC Connector Tool / Crimper – Tool for attaching BNC connectors to coaxial cables.
C
Crimping Tool / Wire Crimper – Secures connectors to wires by compressing metal.
Cable Stripper / Wire Stripping Tool – Removes insulation from wires.
Circuit Tester / Continuity Tester – Checks if electrical path is complete.
Caliper / Digital Caliper – Precision measuring tool for electronic components and enclosures.
Clip Lead / Test Lead – Wire with clips for temporary connections during testing.
D
Digital Multimeter / DMM – Measures voltage, current, resistance, capacitance, and continuity.
Desoldering Pump / Solder Sucker – Removes solder from circuit boards.
DMM Probes / Test Probes – Leads used to connect a multimeter to the circuit.
Dial Indicator / Precision Tool – Measures small distances or alignment in assemblies.
Data Logger / Electronic Recorder – Captures electrical signals or environmental data over time.
E
ESD Mat / Anti-Static Mat – Protects sensitive electronics during repair or assembly.
Electronic Load / Power Testing Tool – Simulates load conditions on power supplies and batteries.
Extension Cable / Power Extension – Provides flexible power connection for tools and devices.
Etching Tools / PCB Engraver – Tools used to remove copper and form printed circuit boards.
Electronics Toolkit / Technician Kit – Collection of screwdrivers, pliers, tweezers, and other essential tools.
F
Flux Pen / Solder Flux Applicator – Applies flux to improve solder flow and adhesion.
Function Generator / Signal Generator – Produces electronic signals of varying frequency and waveform.
Fine Tip Tweezers / Precision Tweezers – For handling small components on PCBs.
Fiber Optic Stripper / Termination Tool – Prepares fiber optic cables for connectors.
Frequency Counter / Digital Measurement Tool – Measures frequency of an electrical signal.
G
Grounding Wire / Earth Strap – Prevents static discharge and ensures safety.
Gas Soldering Iron / Butane Soldering Tool – Portable soldering using fuel gas.
Gloves / Anti-Static Gloves – Protects hands while avoiding static damage.
Grommet Tool / Cable Protector – Installs protective grommets in panels or cable openings.
Gun / Heat Gun – Applies heat for shrink tubing, soldering, or desoldering.
H
Hot Air Rework Station / SMD Rework Tool – For soldering and desoldering surface-mount components.
Hydrometer / Battery Acid Tester – Measures specific gravity of battery electrolyte.
Hand Drill / Rotary Tool – For drilling holes in electronic enclosures or PCBs.
Hook Probe / Test Hook – Attaches to small test points for multimeter measurements.
Holographic Display / Calibration Tool – Tool for aligning or projecting measurement data (specialized).
I
Insulation Tester / Megger – Measures insulation resistance in wires and motors.
IC Extractor / Chip Puller – Safely removes integrated circuits from sockets.
Iron / Soldering Iron – Heats and melts solder for joining electronic components.
In-Circuit Tester / ICT – Checks circuit board functionality without removing components.
Infrared Thermometer / IR Gun – Measures surface temperature of electronic components.
J
Jumper Wire / Test Connection Wire – Temporary wiring for prototyping or testing circuits.
Jig / PCB Holder – Holds printed circuit boards steady during assembly or repair.
Joystick Tester / Game Controller Tester – Verifies functionality of input devices.
Jewelers Screwdriver / Precision Screwdriver – Small screwdriver for electronics screws.
Jack Crimper / Audio Connector Tool – Attaches jacks and plugs to cables.
K
Knife / Precision Cutting Tool – For trimming wires, tape, or heat shrink tubing.
Kapton Tape / High-Temperature Tape – Insulates and protects during soldering.
Key Programmer / Electronics Diagnostic Tool – Reads/writes electronic keys or chips in automotive electronics.
Kit / Electronics Lab Kit – Complete kit with tools, components, and testing devices.
K-type Thermocouple / Temperature Probe – Measures temperature for testing electronics.
L
Logic Analyzer / Digital Signal Analysis Tool – Captures and analyzes digital signals from circuits.
LCR Meter / Inductance-Capacitance-Resistance Meter – Measures electronic component values.
Laser Level / Alignment Tool – For precise positioning of components or assemblies.
Label Printer / Cable Marker – Labels wires, panels, and components.
Lead Forming Tool / Component Bending Tool – Bends component leads for PCB insertion.
M
Multimeter / Volt-Ohm Meter – Measures electrical parameters like voltage, current, and resistance.
Micrometer / Precision Measuring Tool – Measures small distances accurately.
Magnifying Lamp / Inspection Tool – Combines light and magnification for component inspection.
Motor Tester / DC/AC Motor Analyzer – Checks motor performance and condition.
Mounting Tool / PCB Installation Aid – Helps secure boards or components into enclosures.
N
Network Cable Tester / Ethernet Tester – Checks connectivity and integrity of network cables.
Needle Nose Pliers / Long Nose Pliers – For bending, holding, or cutting small wires.
Nut Driver / Hex Driver – Tightens or loosens nuts in electronics assemblies.
Non-Contact Voltage Tester / NCVT – Detects live AC voltage without touching the conductor.
Nozzle / Solder Paste Applicator – Dispenses solder paste on PCBs for surface-mount assembly.
O
Oscilloscope / Signal Visualization Tool – Visualizes voltage signals over time.
Optical Comparator / PCB Inspection Tool – Compares component placement and traces against reference patterns.
Open-End Wrench / Spanner – Standard mechanical tool for nuts and bolts.
Oscillator / Signal Source – Generates repetitive electronic signals for testing.
Overload Protector / Safety Device – Prevents damage to electronics under excessive current.
P
Power Supply / Bench PSU – Provides adjustable voltage and current for testing circuits.
Probe / Test Lead Accessory – Connects measurement instruments to the circuit.
PCB Holder / Board Clamp – Secures printed circuit boards during soldering.
Punch / Wire Punch Tool – Creates holes or punches connectors onto cables.
Precision Screwdriver / Electronics Screwdriver – For assembling or disassembling small electronics.
Q
Quick-Connect Tool / Crimp & Connect – For fast attachment of connectors to wires.
Quill / Precision Drill Attachment – Ensures straight and accurate drilling in enclosures.
Quad Meter / Multi-Parameter Meter – Measures multiple electrical parameters simultaneously.
R
Rework Station / SMD Repair Tool – Combines soldering iron, hot air, and microscope for surface-mount repair.
Resistor Kit / Component Kit – Collection of resistors in various values for prototyping.
Ring Terminal Crimper / Connector Tool – Attaches ring terminals to wires.
Rotary Tool / Dremel – For cutting, polishing, engraving, or drilling electronics components.
Ruler / Measuring Tool – Basic measurement for component layout or panel marking.
S
Solder Wire / Flux Core – Joins components to PCB pads.
Solder Paste / SMD Soldering Material – Applied to pads before reflow soldering.
Solder Wick / Desoldering Braid – Removes excess solder from PCBs.
Screw Extractor / Easy-Out – Removes stripped or damaged screws.
Socket Tester / Electrical Socket Analyzer – Checks wall sockets for wiring errors and safety.
T
Tweezers / Precision Handling Tool – For holding or placing small components.
Temperature Controller / Soldering Station Controller – Maintains precise soldering tip temperature.
Tape Measure / Measuring Tool – Measures distances for enclosures or cabling.
Test Lamp / Voltage Indicator – Simple tool for checking power presence.
Torque Driver / Controlled Torque Screwdriver – Tightens screws to precise torque values.
U
Ultrasonic Cleaner / PCB Cleaning Tool – Removes flux residues and contaminants using ultrasonic waves.
USB Tester / Digital Power Meter – Measures voltage, current, and power of USB devices.
Utility Knife / Cutting Tool – General-purpose cutting for wires, insulation, and tape.
U-Bend Tool / Wire Shaping Tool – Forms precise bends in component leads.
UV Light / PCB Inspection Aid – Checks solder mask, coatings, or curing of adhesives.
V
Voltage Detector / Non-Contact Tester – Detects AC voltage presence without touching wires.
Vacuum Pickup Tool / Component Handling – Picks small SMD components safely.
VOM / Volt-Ohm-Milliammeter – Traditional analog or digital multimeter.
Vises / PCB Holding Clamp – Holds boards and enclosures during work.
Vibration Tester / Component Stress Tool – Tests component stability under vibration.
W
Wire Cutters / Side Cutter – Cuts wires, leads, and small pins.
Wire Stripper / Insulation Removal Tool – Strips insulation from wires cleanly.
Wrist Strap / ESD Protection – Prevents static discharge during electronics handling.
Workstation / Electronics Bench – Ergonomically arranged space for electronics assembly.
Wattmeter / Power Measurement Tool – Measures electrical power consumption.
X
X-Acto Knife / Precision Cutter – Fine cutting for PCBs, plastic, or tape.
XLR Crimper / Audio Connector Tool – For attaching XLR connectors to cables.
X-Y Table / PCB Alignment Tool – Provides precise horizontal movement for assembly.
Y
Yoke / Test Fixture – Holds devices under test for reliable measurement.
Yield Meter / Production Testing Tool – Measures manufacturing or assembly success rate.
Yellow Test Light / Voltage Indicator Lamp – Simple tool for AC line detection.
Z
Zener Tester / Diode Analyzer – Measures Zener diode voltage characteristics.
Z-Axis Micrometer / Depth Measurement Tool – Measures vertical dimensions of components.
Zip Tie Tool / Cable Tie Tensioner – Secures and trims cable ties efficiently.
Zeroing Tool / Calibration Aid – Sets instruments or measurement devices to zero reference.
Zig-Zag Cutter / Wire Shaping Tool – Forms zig-zag bends in component leads or wires.
Published 17th Feb 2026