Ladders are in use for thousands of years. Today, most people consider the prototypical ladder as being made of heavy wood or aluminium or fiberglass and having two side rails connected by cross rungs. If you consider buying the best ladder for electrical work, this article is for you.
Let’s first look around some important facts you need to know before buying an electrical ladder.
Why should you need an electrical ladder for Electrical Work?
“Every day, around 2,000 people are injured while using a ladder, and nearly 100 of them suffer long-term disabilities,” said Ryan Moss, chief executive officer of Little Giant Ladder Systems.
When working with electricity or electrical equipment, ladder safety should be observed. You must have chosen an insulated ladder for electrical work. You should never choose an aluminium ladder for electrical work. Or it may cause heavy injure, in some cases death!
Types of Ladders
There are many types of ladders are available in the market to meet the requirement of users. Nowadays, 2 types of ladders being popular with professionals for their flexibility and safety.
Firstly, the Step ladder is known for its safety and fixed-length support. If you need space for yourself while working this type of ladder is best for you.
And, an Extension ladder is used to reach a high area. It is more flexible and safer than a regular ladder.
Over the years, the ladder is made from various materials such as wood, metal, aluminium, or fiberglass.
✔️ Aluminium/metal ladders
This Ladder should never be used when dealing with electricity. Aluminium is a good conductor of electricity. For safety reasons always choose a non-conductive ladder made of wood or fiberglass.
✔️ Wooden ladders
Wood ladders aren’t conductive to electricity, but they will rot when exposed to moist conditions over time.
✔️ Fiberglass ladders
Fiberglass ladders offer the simplest choice for both long life and safety from electrical conductivity. Besides, fiberglass ladder has a much longer life compared to any other type of ladder. The drawback is that fiberglass ladders are also the most expensive.
Let’s find out best insulated ladder. Wait no more, here’s my list of
Best Ladder for Electrical Work Our Top Picks
1. Louisville Fiberglass Step Ladder
Louisville FS1506 is widely known as fiberglass ladders for electrical work. It is a heavy-duty step ladder with a 300-pound duty rating. Louisville ladder made with high-quality non-conductive fiberglass. This ladder is perfect for electrical works that require 2 to 12 feet reach.
Key features:
✔️ Anti-slip Feet and Damage Resistant.
✔️ Slots for power and hand tools
✔️ Tray for paint cans
✔️ A heavy-duty bottom back brace
✔️ 300lbs load capacity
The ladder comes with a curved front for leg and body comfort. SHOX impact absorption system prevents damage to the frame. The extra grip slips-resistant feet provide the most contact with the ground surface and ensure steadiness.
Internal pinch-resistant spreader braces ensure to be slid into and out of storage without damaging braces or getting hooked on to other equipment. Wide back braces ensure stability and increased strength. On top of that, this is not only an electrician’s step ladders but also suitable for construction and residential uses.
2. Louisville Ladder 8′ Fiberglass Cross-Step/Shelf Ladder
Louisville FXS1508 is a self-supportable stepladder from Louisville. It is a renowned insulated ladder with a load capacity of 300 lb. This ladder can be converted from a step ladder into a shelf ladder for a 2 in 1 combination in order to get closer to the work area. This 8 ft. fiberglass stepladder has 7 steps and the spread angle at the base is 48″.
Key features:
✔️ Pro-top with multiple tool slots and magnet.
✔️ Innovative lock latch to secure rear section.
✔️ Raptor boot with slip-resistant.
✔️ Non-marring bonded tread.
✔️ Equipped with SHOX system.
Whether you are working on a house, utility pole or new construction. This stepladder will allow you to position it in most situations. It allows you to position against a wall, building, or pole wherever you work. When unlocked, this ladder just sets up as a regular step ladder. The design angles of the cross-step ladder give professional experience to the contractor or even DIY person to get closer to their work area.
3. Little Giant Mighty-Lite Fiberglass Stepladder
If you are looking for a lightweight stepladder, the Little Giant Mighty-Lite is the right ladder for your job. The ladder has 3” extra-wide rungs with treads to prevent slipping and foot fatigue. Besides, the ladder has a 165 square inch standing platform on top where you can stand on.
This platform reduces dangerous falls and makes comfort to stand on for extended periods while working. This is a fiberglass ladder for electrical work, also can be used for DIY projects or any household needs.
Key features:
✔️ Innovative Top Cap features to keep supplies at hand
✔️ Ground Cue bottom rung safety.
✔️ ANSI IA rated to hold 300 lbs.
✔️ Lightweight Fiberglass
✔️ Comfortable Standing Platform
Little Giant Mighty-Lite stepladder is very easy to carry. Although it heavily durable and safe for the user.
This ladder gives safety from getting injured while missing the bottom rung of the ladder. When you step on the bottom rung, Ground Cue audibly clicks to alerting you that you have safely reached the ground.
4. Louisville Fiberglass Extension Ladder
Louisville L3022 extension ladder is designed to improve the user’s experience. The ladder is 28-foot and made with Fiberglass Type 1A Extension. This ladder has a 300-pound load capacity.
This ladder equipped with Pro-Top specially designed to increase productivity. These innovative Pro-Top features are corner grip, pole grip, integrated bumper, and work tray.
Key features:
✔️ Made of superior quality, non-conductive fiberglass
✔️ D-Shaped Rungs
✔️ Direct Rung-Rail Connection
✔️ Steel-plated swivel safety shoes
✔️ Meets ANSI 14.4 and CSA Grade 1 standard.
This extension ladder is one of several extension ladders in the Louisville lineup. It is great for performing on utility, electrical, residential jobs and light construction. It features D-shaped rungs that are fully serrated for an error-resistant surface.
It also has two extra heavy-duty slide guides at the highest of the bottom section combined with a stop on the fly section to stop overextending the ladder.
This ladder has two extra heavy-duty slide guides at the top of the base section combined with a stop on the fly section to prevent overextending the ladder. Which makes it the best electricians step ladder.
5. Little Giant Flip-N-Lite Aluminum Ladder
Rather than other platform stepladders, the Little Giant Flip-N-Lite is engineered to be safe without being expensive. The lightweight Flip-N-Lite opens easily with just one hand.
It has deep rungs with a huge secure standing platform. This lightweight aluminium stepladder is easy to transport, set up and take down. Which makes it one of the best aluminium ladders for electrical work.
Key features:
✔️ Comfortable standing platform
✔️ Meets OSHA and ANSI standards.
✔️ Type IA rated (maximum capacity 300lbs.
✔️ Tool tray
✔️ Safety handle
To reach the high job area, choosing the perfect ladder is a big challenge. When it comes to Little Giant Flip-N-Lite, you don’t have to think about Hight! This ladder is the perfect solution for anyone from a seasoned construction pro to a busy do-it-yourselfer.
6. Werner Extension-ladder
When it comes to reaching a high area, what you need is an extension ladder. Werner D1220-2 aluminium extension ladder is a perfect match for those who need to reach higher. This D-Rung extension ladder is ideal for home repair, construction, plumbing and any light-duty jobs. Lightweight aluminium construction makes the ladders easy to move and found out.
Key features:
✔️ Interlocking side rails
✔️ Sturdy and reliable
✔️ Shu-Lok
The ladder has a Type II duty rating and the load capacity is 225 pounds combining the weight of the user and materials. It provides extra safety by the Shu-Lok feature by holding the foot in position. Exclusive ALFLO rung joint ensures Twist-Proof performance every time.
Picking up the Best Ladder for Electrical Work
Most of us think it is just a ladder. But when you are working with electricity, it’s not how it sounds. Every year more than thousands of people get injured or died while working with a ladder by getting an electric shock or suddenly sliding off.
So, even if you don’t spend days researching to buy a ladder for your electrical work, make sure to at least study for one or two hours. Know about the different things related to electricians step ladders. Here I discuss some points you might consider before buying the best ladder for electrical work –
✔️ Find out your needs: It is pretty basic to analyze your needs before buying No matter you are buying a ladder for personal use or professional use, it’s very important to consider your work requirement or future possibilities.
✔️ Choosing the right type: What you need a step ladder or an extension ladder? If you always work with a fixed length, you can consider buying a step ladder. Besides, it has extra space on top where you can sit or keep your things. But if you need to reach the high top you must consider buying an extension ladder.
✔️ Weight capacity: When you are buying a ladder you must consider its weight capacity. To be accurate you have to think about adding your weight and tools wait as well. Most of the ladders are capable to handle 200 to 300 pounds.
✔️ Consider ladder material: Ladder material should be considered when buying an electrical ladder. All conductive materials like metal, aluminium should be avoided.
✔️ Safety issue: Before buying your ladder you must have to consider some safety issues. For electrical work, you should think about a ladder made with conductive materials like fiberglass or wooden. Although the wooden ladder is conductive, it also behaves like a good conductor when exposed to moist.
User Guide of Electricians Step Ladders
Few important things you should keep in mind while using your ladder. Here I discuss the most important things you need to know before using a ladder –
⭐ Choose a suitable horizontal surface to set your ladder.
⭐ Don’t stand with a foot on a rung and another one at some different surface.
⭐ In step ladder, never step on paint self. These are not appropriate for standing. Only use that to keep paint cans or tools.
⭐ While using an extension ladder face it the right way up and round.
⭐ Always check for overhead obstructions.
⭐ Wear safety gloves and shoes while working on a high voltage line with an extension ladder.
⭐ Use body best while working on a high top.
⭐ Consider the load capacity of your ladder before put your steps.
⭐ Before using your ladder near a doorway, be careful to lock or block the door.
⭐ The legs of the step ladder should be fully extended and locked.
Read More: How to Make a Wooden Step Ladder
Editor’s Choice
All the ladders above are highly recommended by professionals and users. But, for our readers, we decided to examine all the ladder and pick the best for you. Also, it’s really a hard job to find out the best from the best. Let’s see our top choice for you and discuss why we recommend the ladder for you.
If you want to buy the best step ladder for electrical work Louisville FXS1508 can be your right choice. This fiberglass ladder is best for electrical work. You will be able to use it both as a step ladder and a shelf ladder. It has a magnetic pro-top to hold your tools. It is suitable to use at the home, office, construction site, pole and also for DIY projects. This is a steady and heavy ladder with a raptor boot. It is way more flexible to bend, carry or the setup. It is also a professional’s first choice in the US, UK, Canadian and all over the globe.
For the extension ladder, Louisville L3022 is the best. It is 28 feet tall and it is best to reach and work at high. It is made of superior quality fiberglass. This ladder has a pole grip to set the ladder safely in poles and top corners. This ladder is best for working on a power line, utility, construction and residential uses.
Frequently Ask Questions
Q: What is the Best Ladder For Electrical Work?
⇒ Louisville FXS1508 is the best step ladder for electrical work and Louisville L3022 is the best fiberglass extension ladder for electrical work.
Q: What is an insulated ladder for electrical work?
⇒ The ladders which are not conducive to electricity is an insulated ladder. This kind of ladders is made of non-conductive materials like wood or fiberglass.
Q: What is the best step ladder for electrical work?
⇒ Louisville FXS1508 is the best step ladder for electrical work.
Q: What are the types of a ladder?
⇒ There are many types of ladders are available in the market to meet the requirement of users. Nowadays, 2 types of ladders being popular with professionals for their flexibility and safety. Step ladder and extension ladder.
Q: What is an insulated ladder?
⇒ Ladders are made of non-conductive materials like wood or fiberglass are insulated ladders.
Q: Do aluminium ladders are safe for electrical work?
⇒ Aluminium/metal ladders are not safe when dealing with electricity. Aluminium is a good conductor of electricity. For safety reason always choose a non-conductive ladder made of wood or fiberglass.
Final Verdict
There is an old saying, “Look before you leap”. When you are decided to buy the best ladder for you or your business you should be careful. It will save you money and needs. Besides, you need to aware of the features. Especially for a beginner, it’s much sensible to go with the ladder which meets your needs. We recommend you to go with a basic step ladder. Or, you may select one from our top list of the best ladder for electrical work.
One thing you should always keep in your mind, electrician ladders are different then warehouse or basic ladders. Before buying an electrical ladder, you must have to ensure the ladder meets safety requirement and your needs.
