Residential vs. Commercial Electrician: Types of Electrical Services
Which should you choose between a residential vs commercial electrician? When it comes to electrical work at your home or business, any project that involves electrical wiring and circuit breaker panels should not fall under the DIY category. One wrong move can be dangerous and even deadly. This is why you want to hire an electrician to do the job.
But, not all electricians are created equal. Some fall under the commercial electrician category while others are residential electricians. Some have the experience and knowledge to work on both types of projects. You want to make sure you hire the right electrician for your business as well as your home.
What Does a Residential Electrician Do?
As the title suggests, residential electricians work on home projects. Residential projects differ from commercial projects when it comes to wiring and the power load. Homes have thin, narrow wiring that is encased in plastic sheathing that is used to protect the wires and surrounding areas. It’s built into places like attics and basements where anyone can access it.
Residential electricians also have to be familiar with the type of power that runs through homes. Residential buildings use single-phase power that is delivered at 120 volts. For appliances like refrigerators and dryers, 240 volts are used.
Besides knowing how to handle the wiring and power load that residential projects involve, residential electricians must also know how to diagnose and repair electrical problems as well as service fixtures and electrical appliances.
What Does a Commercial Electrician Do?
A commercial electrician must be knowledgeable when it comes to the wiring and power load that businesses require. Unlike homes, commercial buildings use wiring that is contained in tube-like conduits or ceiling rafters. Wiring locations can change frequently so they’re usually located in places that are easy to get to. Commercial wiring often has more insulation that helps to protect it from corrosive gases and liquids.
A commercial electrician must also know about the three-phase design that most wiring uses. With commercial wiring, two smaller legs are using 120 volts, and a third working at 208 volts. This means each leg works at a lower workload while giving more energy to the final product. This allows for greater efficiency and for commercial equipment to last longer.
Why do I Need a Commercial Electrician?
Because of the major difference in power and wiring alone, you’ll want to be sure to hire a commercial electrician for your commercial projects. Not all residential electricians are experienced with the differences that go along with commercial projects.
Commercial electricians are also used to larger-scale projects. Typically, residential projects are smaller. A commercial electrician usually works in stores, offices, and public buildings.
While residential and commercial electricians require the same basic training, a commercial electrician often has more technical training due to the complexity of wiring and the projects they undertake.
Although both residential and commercial electricians need to be aware of codes and regulations, a commercial electrician often has to deal with stricter standards. They need to be aware of the safety standards required for commercial projects and how they differ from residential projects as well as make sure they have the right level of insurance against possible disasters caused by electrical faults.
Contact Us for a Commercial Electrician in Durham
When you need a commercial electrician in Durham and surrounding areas, you can count on MSS Ortiz for reliable service. We bring over 70 years of combined electrical experience to each of our projects. For more information on all of our electrical services, call us today at (919) 382-0832 or fill out the form below.
