The goal of the Pro Tool Innovation Awards is to recognize and award the year’s most innovative tools and accessories.

Quite simply, these innovation awards answer the following questions: Who makes the tools which are pushing or shaping the industry? Which tools, accessories, and fasteners should professionals buy? What tools are new and truly innovative?

The Pro Tool Innovation Awards program recognizes those tools which provide excellent value, advanced features, and the newest innovations.

Under the Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing category Ideal was recognized for their Guardian Bender and BlueView Fish Tape:

WINNER – Fish Rods/Tape

IDEAL BlueView™ S-Class® Fish Tape (31-661)

From IDEAL:

The new BlueView™ S-Class® Digital Fish Tape from IDEAL Electrical™ delivers modern convenience to save electricians time when pulling cable on the jobsite. Featuring a real-time BlueView digital length display, this fish tape solves an everyday challenge electricians face: knowing exactly how much tape they’ve deployed or retrieved during cable pulls. BlueView eliminates the frustrating guesswork through a built-in digital screen in the handle that shows the exact amount of tape being fed or retracted. It’s programmed to round up to the nearest foot, preventing wires from being cut short and enabling quick precision. Tested in real-world environments, the industry-exclusive display is built tough and withstands exposure to lubricants, dirt, debris, metal shavings, and extreme temperatures. BlueView can also be easily recalibrated to ensure ongoing accuracy over time, and features auto sleep/shutoff modes to extend battery life. For added convenience, backup batteries can be stored directly in the handle.

The product represents a next-generation upgrade of our popular S-Class Fish Tape. S-Class fish tape features a quality fiberglass core, providing excellent column strength. The core is encased in a durable nylon outer jacket that decreases friction when pulling. Its round shape allows for omni-directional movement, making it well-suited for navigating tough bends. With a pulling strength of 500 lbs., electricians can measure for new runs, identify hangups, and troubleshoot issues with confidence and speed.

For smarter, faster, and easier cable pulls, the new BlueView S-Class Fish Tape combines modern technology with a fiberglass core for exceptional jobsite performance.

Pro Tool Innovation Said:

Ideal’s BlueView S-Class Digital Fish Tape is the very first we’ve seen with a real-time digital length display. This is fantastic for eliminating guesswork when running and pulling wire. It keeps the rugged design we’re used to from Ideal products. The fiberglass core offers exceptional strength, while the nylon jacket reduces friction for smooth pulls. If your tape breaks, you can quickly and easily reset the digital counter in seconds, getting you back to perfect accuracy. Idea has literally redefined what a fish tape can be with this product.

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WINNER – Conduit Bender

IDEAL Guardian™ Bender w/Handle 3/4″ EMT (74-057)

From IDEAL Industries:

The Guardian™ Conduit Bender from IDEAL Electrical™ provides exceptional conduit bending convenience with its unique set-angle stopper. This built-in feature automatically stops the bender once the conduit reaches the desired angle, preventing over- or under- bending that often requires time-consuming adjustments or even leads to expensive conduit scrap. In a first for the industry, this stopper is seamlessly built into the bender head to eliminate the risk of losing a separate piece. Electricians can easily slide the stopper along the bender head to prepare for a wide range of common bending angles, including 10°, 22.5°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90° bends. The machined-in angle locations provide firm stopping points for accurate bends every time.

Beyond the stopper, the 3/4″ EMT Guardian Bender features additional thoughtful upgrades tailored to improve the bending experience. With clearer, recessed markings that wrap around the backside of the head, the bender makes observing the angle during air bends easier. In addition, electricians can use the handle as a straightedge and easily square up when measuring. The dedicated bend correction hole in the head eliminates the need to flip the bender when adjusting, while the high visibility, textured blue handle resists corrosion and enhances grip. The bender head is constructed of rugged ductile iron to provide exceptional durability for a lifetime of use.

The new Guardian Bender builds upon the proven foundation of existing IDEAL Electrical conduit benders used on jobsites worldwide. While it does not replace a specific previous model, it elevates the category by incorporating a range of jobsite-driven enhancements. This combination of precision, ruggedness, and ease-of-use makes the Guardian Bender a valuable solution for both seasoned pros and apprentices still learning to master conduit bending. Using the Guardian Bender, electricians can ensure consistent, professional bends on the first try and reduce rework.

What Pro Tool Innovation Said:

The IDEAL Electrical Guardian Conduit Bender stands out in the market due to its unique built-in set-angle stopper. New hires are always joining the trades, and this feature ensures precise bends at common angles without the risk of over- or under-bending. This innovative feature eliminates the hassle of adjustments—reducing material waste. Additionally, the bender’s clearer, recessed markings and dedicated bend correction hole make it easier to use. Ductile iron construction should make this a long-lasting, durable tool. The textured handle also improves grip.

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Under the Test & Measurement category IDEAL was recognized for their SureTrace Circuit Tracer Pro:

Winner – Circuit/Wire Tracers

IDEAL Electrical SureTrace™ Circuit Tracer Pro 61-950

From IDEAL:

The new SureTrace™ Pro Circuit Tracer from IDEAL Electrical™ is a breakthrough in electrical tracing and troubleshooting, delivering first-of-its-kind features that significantly reduce the time and tools required for tracing circuits, identifying faults, and ensuring continuity. Designed for use on energized or de-energized systems up to 600V AC/DC, including 3-phase systems, it’s the most advanced circuit tracing and fault-finding solution available today.

The SureTrace Pro is built for maximum speed, accuracy, and troubleshooting convenience by consolidating the features of multiple meters into one powerful unit. The transmitter measures voltages from 24-600V AC and 12-600V DC, confirms DC polarity, verifies receptacle wiring, and performs patent-pending integrated continuity tests. Features like the built-in continuity tester and exact voltage readings are exclusive to the IDEAL Electrical SureTrace line and empower professional contractors and electricians to lighten their toolbelts by eliminating the need for multiple meters. The receiver provides patent-pending, high-visibility displays that rotate every 90 degrees. Both displays are easy to read in all positions and lighting conditions. The receiver also displays analog and digital signal strength alongside battery and sensitivity levels. With integrated non-contact voltage testing (NCVT), a work light, and adjustable audio settings, the SureTrace Pro is packed with features that improve usability in real-world jobsite conditions.

One of the most groundbreaking inclusions in the SureTrace Pro kit is the new, patent-pending SureTrace Inductive/Sensing Clamp. The innovative clamp induces a tracing signal by clamping around conductors at any point in their run, enabling non-contact circuit tracing and AC amperage measurement simultaneously. The clamp is ideal for jobs where conductors are inaccessible or direct circuit connections are not possible or safe. Rated CAT III 600V, the clamp delivers accurate AC amperage readings up to 600A. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery is integrated directly into the clamp housing, eliminating the need for separate battery packs or cords. The Inductive/Sensing Clamp also includes dual high-visibility displays, including a patented TightSight™ secondary display, to make readings easy to view in any position. The new clamp is backwards compatible with any previous IDEAL Electrical SureTrace circuit tracer.

From Pro Tool Innovation:

The Ideal SureTrace Pro Circuit Tracer uses a patent-pending Inductive/Sensing Clamp for non-contact circuit tracing and AC amperage measurement. This makes it particularly helpful with inaccessible conductors. Dual rotating OLED displays ensure visibility in any position, while the built-in continuity tester and exact voltage readings streamline troubleshooting. Additionally, integration with the BILT app provides 3D instructions for quick onboarding. This combination of features, performance, and user-friendly design sets the SureTrace Pro apart from competitors, delivering a tool that excels in both performance and value.

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