If you are reading this as someone who is already a student of electrical engineering – or who is considering doing so – you will know that this is a field in which the very highest standards of precision, accuracy, performance, and safety are of critical importance. 

However, an appreciation of this reality is different to knowing exactly what should be in your foundational toolkit as an electrical engineer in training. 

Below, then, we have set just five of the tools and instruments that will support you throughout your coursework, laboratory experiments, and personal projects alike. 

• Multimeter 

When it comes to those foundational skills for every stage of your electrical engineering career, being able to competently and confidently use a multimeter will be one of the most important. 

This versatile instrument allows you to measure voltage, current, and resistance. This makes it an essential device for the troubleshooting and verification of circuit behaviour. 

When you’re on the lookout for a multimeter for study purposes, we suggest you prioritise finding an affordable auto-ranging model incorporating a clear backlit display and a built-in continuity tester. 

• Oscilloscope 

If there is any reason for an electrical engineering student not to invest in an oscilloscope, it is because university laboratories tend to provide them already. However, the student acquiring an oscilloscope for themselves can be advantageous for hands-on learning and project work. 

This electronic instrument visualises electrical signals over time. This allows students to analyse waveform characteristics such as amplitude, frequency, and phase. 

All this functionality greatly assists students’ efforts to understand and troubleshoot circuits, systems, and electronic devices. Once students get to grips with the interpretation of scope readings, they can expect to continue using this skill throughout their career. 

• Wire Strippers 

These small handheld devices for the removal of insulation from electrical wires aren’t strictly “essential” for every aspect of electrical engineering. However, students will be glad for having them available during hands-on projects. 

The usefulness of wire strippers for removing insulation without nicking the conductor, makes them important when preparing wires for connections, as well as for prototyping circuits. 

If you’re on the lookout for wire strippers suitable for a student, we would urge you to choose ones with multiple gauge slots and ergonomic grips. 

• Ohm’s Law Calculator 

Given its foundational importance for understanding how circuits behave – describing the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance – there’s no question about it: you must develop a strong understanding of Ohm’s Law as an electrical engineering student. 

It is worth pointing out at this stage, that not all the important tools to have in your “toolbox” as an electrical engineering student will necessarily be of the physical kind. 

Even if, for instance, you are confident in undertaking Ohm’s Law calculations, it can be useful to have a reputable online Ohm’s Law calculator bookmarked. This will enable you to quickly verify the accuracy of your working out whenever you manually calculate voltage, current, and resistance. 

• Soldering iron 

As you move onto more advanced projects during your electrical engineering studies, soldering skills will be critically important for the creation, repair, and modification of circuits. For such tasks, then, you will need a soldering iron. 

As a student, you will likely be well-served by a temperature-controlled soldering station with a wattage range of 25W to 50W. This would offer a good amount of versatility, and the ability to handle the majority of common electronics projects without causing heat damage. 

Equip Yourself to Achieve the Best Results in Your Electrical Engineering Studies 

The above is not – and cannot be – an exhaustive rundown of all the tools and instruments you are likely to find indispensable when studying this highly specialised and demanding subject. 

Nonetheless, when it comes to the core activities of circuit building, testing, and analysis that you can expect to learn about and take on during your time as a student, you will be grateful for having these essentials to hand.