When hiring an electrician, you need to know the difference between those who perform residential and commercial work. Although the distinction might seem small to folks outside the profession, commercial electricians tend to work on larger and decidedly more complex systems. Here is a closer look so you can understand when a situation calls for a commercial services versus residential.
Key Takeaways
Residential electricians typically work on properties like single-family homes and individual apartments, condos and townhouses. Most residential work involves projects like:
- Wiring and rewiring
- Outlets
- Lights
- A single electrical panel
- Circuit breakers
Commercial companies deal with projects in office buildings, retail stores, warehouses and other bigger properties. Commercial customers often require assistance with:
- Medium- and high-voltage power
- Tenant-specific configurations
- Large indoor and outdoor lighting systems
- Multiple distribution panels
Types of Electricians
Residential Electricians
Electrical work in homes tends to involve lighter wiring for less aggressive systems. Single-phase power is the standard setup in a home setting, and this allows residential electricians to use wiring with lightly sheathed plastic insulation. Most of the wiring runs inside walls, and the most power-hungry systems tend to be appliances. 120-volt power is standard, but a few systems like washers, dryers and EV charging stations may use 240-volt power.
Commercial Electricians
Commercial operations are far more likely to use three-phase power, a system that provides greater efficiency for systems that need some kick. Wiring is more durable in commercial settings, and commercial firms are more likely to run wiring through metal conduits to protect them from traffic.
Key Differences
Complexity
Complexity is by far the biggest difference. Power in a residence normally goes from a single circuit breaker panel to a handful of rooms and systems. You might have something like a 50-amp fuse to support an HVAC. Circuits usually follow straightforward diagrams, such as one or two for the kitchen, one for each bedroom, a couple for outdoor outlets and another for the living room.
Commercial systems oftentimes involve very complex setups. For example, a backup generator at a commercial location may be large. Some commercial backup solutions even involve multiple generators. Making sure all these systems work together without accidentally feeding power into each other or the grid requires considerable care.
Residential electricians are more likely to work alone or with one person. It is common for an apprentice and a fully licensed electrician to tackle a residential project. Conversely, many commercial jobs require multiple electricians. Commercial companies have to develop greater teamwork to handle the complexity of customers’ projects.
Voltages
Commercial demands tend to be significantly higher. Many commercial systems employ three-phase power running on 208 or 480 volts. Most commercial operations use as much power in an hour as a single household will use in a day. While residences might consume several hundred kWh of electricity in a year, the largest commercial facilities can consume millions. These are often operations like big grocery stores, refrigerated warehouses and healthcare facilities.
Codes and Regulations
Residential electrical work only has to conform to local building codes and the National Electrical Code (NEC). In addition to conforming to those codes, commercial electrical setups have to adhere to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.
Commercial locations that serve the public also frequently have to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). There are also frequently local codes covering how commercial buildings use backup power because they run greater risks of backfeeding electricity into the grid.
Training and Education
Residential and commercial electricians begin on fairly similar career paths. They study things like the NEC, electrical theory and safety. As electricians move into the field to work as apprentices, they begin to differentiate. Many apprentices train under electricians who perform residential work. They learn how to connect systems at construction sites and in occupied homes.
Commercial apprentices will focus more on working with heavier-gauge wiring, three-phase power, transformers, motor controls, data cabling and alarm systems. They generally learn in business and industrial settings during companies’ off hours.
The apprenticeship process lasts four to five years before an electrician can become a Journeyman. In most states, electricians are licensed to perform residential and commercial jobs. However, some states offer licensing with shorter apprenticeships for residential-only electricians.
Note that commercial electrical companies take the job very seriously. They generally bring electricians up within their ranks. If they hire from outside, they will subject an electrician’s work experience to scrutiny regardless of their state’s licensing requirements.
When Should You Hire a Commercial Electrician?
The power system in a building often provides the first clue about whether you should request commercial services. If you’re looking at a system that uses something that would immediately appear unusual in a residence, such as three-phase, 208-volt or 480-volt power, the job is almost certainly for a commercial electrician. Locations with heavy machinery like large printing systems, refrigeration cases, big HVACs, visible signage and overhead lighting should strongly consider hiring a commercial electrical company.
If your location has a distribution panel instead of a basic breaker panel, then you probably need a commercial electrician. The same goes for building automation systems and motor controls. Data centers should also strongly consider commercial electrical services.
Looking for a Commercial Electrician in Pompano, FL?
Anyone looking for a commercial electrician in Pompano, FL, can turn to Mr. Sparky. Our company has served the region for years, and we back all our installation work with a two-year satisfaction guarantee.
We are also available 24/7 to deal with emergency commercial electrical work. Every one of our technicians is fully trained, vetted and background-checked, too. When you need a quote, we can give you an upfront price.
Final Thoughts
A lot is riding on your location’s commercial electrical work. Hiring a company that has the people and resources needed to take on complex commercial jobs is important.
Contact Mr. Sparky today and ask about your Pompano business’ electrical needs.