As an av design technician, it is important to have the right set of tools and equipment that can help you handle any installation or troubleshooting work efficiently. Whether you are working with video, audio or networking equipment, having the essential gear can make your job much smoother. In this blog, we will discuss some of the must-have tools and gear that every audio visual technician should keep in their toolbox.
Basic Hand Tools
No toolbox is complete without some basic hand tools that can be used for various installation and repair tasks. Here are some essential hand tools every AV tech needs:
Screwdrivers: Make sure to have both Phillips head and flathead screwdrivers in different sizes to handle a variety of screws. Opt for quality screwdriver sets with magnetic tips for easier screw handling.
Pliers: Must-have pliers include linesman pliers for crimping connectors, needle-nose pliers for delicate work and side cutters for cutting wires and cables. Having electrical tape wrapped around the handles provides a good non-slip grip.
Wire Strippers: A good set of wire strippers is a necessity for preparing all types of cables like Ethernet, HDMI, audio etc. Look for adjustable and locking wire strippers that can handle various wire gauges.
Utility Knife: An X-ACTO or box cutter style utility knife is useful for cutting cable jackets and making precise cuts. Choose replaceable razor blades for longevity.
Tape Measure: An accurate tape measure, preferably with both standard and metric measurements, is a handy tool for taking cable runs and device placements.
Crimping Tools: Having the right crimper for terminating different connector types like RJ-45, BNC, twisted pair etc is important. Quality ratcheting crimpers provide consistent, professional terminations.
Multimeter: An essential diagnostic tool, a true RMS multimeter is a must for testing cables, making voltage and continuity checks and troubleshooting circuit issues.
Cabling and Connectivity Equipment
Now that we covered basic hand tools, let’s discuss some important equipment needed for cabling and making various AV connections:
Cable Management Tools
Cable Ties: Use high-quality nylon cable ties in various sizes for bundling and organizers cables neatly. Consider using tie mounts and ducts for clean runs.
Grommets: Cable grommets protect openings in furniture, walls and floors where cables pass through. Choose fire-rated versions where needed.
Cable Covers: Exposed cable runs look unprofessional. Use wiring conduits, raceway systems and wiremold to cover cables attractively.
Cable Labeling Tools: For organization and easy identification, get a cable label printer, labels and ties. Consider labeling both ends of each cable.
Installation Hardware
Zip-Wall Anchors: These allow fast, damage-free installation of flat panel mounts on drywall or wood stud walls.
Adhesive Mounts: 3M command strips are great for temporarily mounting small displays or projector screens.
Standoff Cables: Used to hide and route cables neatly along walls and behind furniture with minimum bends.
Cable Management Arms: Articulating arms hold and route cables away from work areas, allowing flexibility.
Connectivity Equipment
HDMI Cables: Stock multiple lengths of high-quality HDMI cables like optical fiber types for 4K60hz+ transmission.
Audio Cables: Bulk up on XLR, 1/4″ TRS, RCA, phono,SpeakON and snake cables for pro audio applications.
Fiber Optic Cable: For long high-bandwidth cable runs like in auditoriums or between buildings.
Adapters: Dongles to convert between common AV ports for compatibility between devices.
Wall Plates: Single and multi-gang wall plates for terminating TVs, speakers and other cables.
Mounts: Floor, wall, ceiling and tabletop mounts for projectors, displays, speakers and more. Consider height-adjustable floor lifts.
Media Players/Converters: Hardware like HDMI dongles, transmitters, switches for changing digital formats.
Pan/Tilt Wall Mounts: Articulating mounts allow flexible camera positioning for videoconferencing.
Test and Measurement Equipment
No AV job is complete without properly testing equipment performance and signal quality. Here are some essential test tools:
Waveform/Vectorscope: Indispensable for calibrating and testing video and sync signals.
Audio Calibration Mics: For precise frequency response testing and speaker calibration like B&K mics.
Delay Calibration Tools: Necessary for AV systems requiring tight lip-sync like countryman Loudspeaker Aligner.
Signal Generators: Used to inject test patterns and tones into cables and devices.
Video Signal Generators: Patterns for checking displays, projectors resolution and convergence.
Audio Signal Generators: Tones to calibrate levels, identify cable faults or troubleshoot speakers.
Noise Meter: Measures ambient noise levels and system acoustics with real-time logging.
Light Meter: Checks screen luminance, video wall brightness uniformity and projector light output.
Signal Tracers: Helps quickly identify faulty cables by signalling conductor continuity.
Consumables and Accessories
Lastly, an AV tech needs to stock essential consumables for day to day use:
Labels: Adhesive cable labels for identification in different types and colors.
ESD Wrist Strap: Ground yourself while handling sensitive electronics to prevent damage.
Compressed Air: Clean dust from connectors and equipment internals.
Cleaning Supplies: Lint-free wipes, contact cleaner, brushes for meticulous upkeep.
Batteries: Common sizes like AA, AAA for remotes, test gear and more.
Flashlight: Small LED flashlight is handy for examining tight spaces.
Tool Belt/Bag: Organized carrying solution for on-the-go access to essentials.
Ladder: For installations requiring ceiling or high wall access of up to 20 feet.
Personal Protective Equipment: Gloves, safety glasses when handling or cutting cables.
Keeping an assortment of the above tools and equipment well stocked will prepare any av design technician for just about any professional AV job that comes their way. Regular maintenance and calibration of gear ensures consistent, top quality results.
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