A rotary hammer is the power tool of choice for most electricians who must make holes in concrete, block and brick. Small rotary hammers are used primarily for drilling holes to install anchors for hanging Unistruts for electrical conduit. Large hammers are used for larger diameter drilling to allow materials to pass through walls.

Although hammer drills may be used for making a small number of holes in softer materials, most electricians use a rotary hammer for drilling into concrete--from NENZ.

When significant numbers of holes must be drilled, rotary hammers provide the fastest, most efficient means to get the job done correctly.


SDS-plus, SDS-max or spline rotary hammers require bits to be matched to the appropriate tool. These bits include a carbide-tipped head and are designed to channel the impact energy from the hammers to the work surface to grind up the concrete during the drilling application.