KNIPEX has launched a range of new tools designed to make every day electrical jobs quicker, tidier and easier on the hands.
.png?width=1200)
Electrical work has a habit of testing tools properly. Tight cabinets, stubborn cable and repetitive cutting all put pressure on the kit you rely on every day, especially as more electricians move into solar, industrial and energy projects alongside general installation work.
KNIPEX’s latest tools focus on those practical site jobs rather than adding unnecessary extras. The new range includes tools for PV connector installation, precision cutting and heavy-duty cable preparation, all designed to make common tasks quicker, cleaner and easier to manage over a full day on site.
Solar installs
With demand for solar continuing to grow, many electricians are taking on more PV work alongside their usual installations. That often means carrying a growing collection of specialist tools, particularly when working with MC4® and MC4® Evo 2 connectors.
The new KNIPEX Set of Mounting Tools (97 49 66 3) keeps things simple. The compact two-piece kit is designed for tightening housing screw connections and unlocking plug connectors, helping installers avoid carrying loose individual tools around site.
The two lightweight wrenches clip neatly together using integrated magnets, making them easier to store in a pouch or toolbox without disappearing into the bottom of the van. When it’s time to use them, they separate quickly and are ready to go.
Three jobs, one tool
The new PreciForce® (97 52 42 6) is designed specifically for MC4® and MC4® Evo 2 connectors and combines cutting, stripping and crimping functions into one compact tool. Anyone who has spent the day swapping between tools while terminating solar connectors will appreciate the time-saving approach here. By bringing the three main functions together, the tool helps speed up repetitive work while also reducing the chance of incorrect crimps.
A lever transmission system provides high crimping force with less effort while an integrated release lock ensures the crimp cycle only completes once the correct pressure has been achieved. Crimping pressure is factory-set and the fixed die keeps everything stable and repeatable, ideal for electricians carrying out larger commercial PV jobs or maintenance work where consistency matters just as much as speed. It’s a compact and lightweight tool, which really helps when working in awkward positions or confined spaces.
Built for awkward spaces
Every electrician has to tackle jobs where access is tight and standard cutters feel too bulky. The new Slim Knips (78 03/61 150) are aimed squarely at this type of work. Their slender asymmetrical design helps guide the cutting edges into confined spaces like cabinets, trim panels and electronic assemblies. A micro-offset cutting edge gives clean, accurate cuts on both solid and fine-stranded copper conductors, including very thin wires.
The integrated transport lock keeps the tool compact and protected during storage while also acting as a stop when tightening cable ties, preventing accidental cutting. For electricians working on controls, panels or detailed finishing work, the Slim Knips offer a neat little solution that doesn’t take up much room in the bag.
When the going gets tough
Heavy-duty cutting work can quickly become tiring, especially when working with harder wire over long periods. KNIPEX has redesigned its 200 mm High Leverage VDE Diagonal Cutters (74 06 200) to improve performance while reducing strain.
An updated power joint brings the cutting edges closer to the pivot point, improving leverage and reducing the effort needed by around 20% compared to the previous version. That makes a noticeable difference when cutting tougher materials such as piano wire.
As well as VDE the cutters are available in a wide range of finishes and handle options, including new three-component comfort handles designed to improve grip and reduce fatigue during repetitive tasks. These handles also come with the KNIPEXTEND interface so electricians can customise tools with ColourCode Clips and tether attachments for working at height and there’s a dedicated space for a name label too.
The heavy stuff
At the other end of the scale sits the new STX60, designed for stripping large-diameter power cables between 30 and 60 mm. Built for industrial installations, renewable energy projects, shipbuilding and heavy-duty supply work, the STX60 handles materials including PVC, PUR and rubber-sheathed cables such as H07RN-F.
A quick-adjust mechanism means fast setup for different cable sizes and a fine adjustment dial helps the user make precise cuts without damaging inner conductors. Guide rollers support both circumferential and longitudinal cutting, helping maintain a steady finish throughout the cut. For tougher materials, users can switch to a ratchet-assisted cutting action to reduce effort over longer jobs.
Taken together, this innovative range of new KNIPEX tools show how small changes in design can make day-to-day electrical work more efficient, particularly as electricians continue expanding into renewables, controls and heavier industrial installations.