Whether you’re a homeowner or a businessman, you’ve had to call in an electrician at one point or another to fix a light bulb or update an electric panel. However, you wouldn’t have a residential electrician take care of a commercial electrician’s work. Though both types of electricians share the same basic responsibilities—keeping your properties safe, fixing electrical issues, and upgrading outdated equipment—there are a few key differences between the two. From skill levels to work environments to stakes and more, this blog by C&J Electrical Services goes over all the things that set a commercial electrician apart from a residential one.
Residential VS. Commercial Electrician: What Sets Them Apart
Electrical work is always dangerous and should be left to professionals, regardless of the project’s scope. However, have you ever wondered how domestic electricians differ from their commercial counterparts? Whether you’re a curious reader or want to understand which electrician to contact, we have created a list of key differences between the two.
Read along for a clearer picture.
Work Sites
The most obvious difference between the two types of electricians is that they work in entirely different settings. You’d find residential electricians in houses, apartments, and even in small housing complexes, fixing faults and updating outdated systems.
On the other hand, a commercial electrician will be handling more complex work like setting up machinery and designing wiring for retail establishments, hospitals, and even warehouses.
Basic Services
One of the main differences between the two types of electricians is that they each provide different levels of services. A residential electrician tends to home settings where he upgrades outdated electrical panels, sets up EV chargers, and replaces faulty wiring. Basically, if there’s an issue with your home’s electrical system, a residential electrician is whom you’d call.
Conversely, a commercial electrician works on commercial properties like schools and office buildings. Though they do basically the same thing, their services are on a much higher scale. Commercial electricians are responsible for wiring restaurants, installing control panels, or even setting up electrical meters—crucial for running large-scale businesses.
Education & Training
Both residential and commercial electricians start with the same training and education. Undergoing several thousand hours of apprenticeship before taking the licensing exam and being certified.
However, if someone wants to become a commercial electrician, they need to have at least a GED. They then enroll in trade schools and gain experience of 4-5 years before taking the licensing exam. Commercial electricians are also required to continue their education to keep up with changing regulations and codes, or risk having their license canceled.
Tools & Equipment
Since both types of electricians deal with different scopes of electrical work, they also use different tools. For example, a residential electrician may have voltage testers, wire strippers, and circuit testers. These tools are only designed to handle standard loads of residential properties.
A commercial electrician, on the other hand, has to deal with large-scale electrical projects and uses equipment like conduit benders, multi-meters, and industrial-grade voltage testers –all designed specifically to handle large-scale electrical systems and issues.
Technical Skills
Residential electricians focus on smaller and more precise work that aligns with residential safety codes. They fix minor faults, install appliances, and upgrade wiring.
A commercial electrician has more advanced knowledge and works on designing large-scale electrical systems that power offices, general stores, and even banks. They follow a much stricter commercial electrical code to keep the property running efficiently.
Project Size
Another key difference between the two types of electricians is the scope of their projects. While residential electricians work on rewiring homes and installing outlets in small houses, commercial electricians design electrical systems, set up heavy-duty machinery, or even set up intercoms on commercial properties.
A residential electrician’s work may be completed within a few hours, but a commercial electrician works on month-long projects that often require coordination with other tradesmen.
Conclusion
To conclude, while both types of electricians offer the same services at the core level, there is a lot that sets them apart. Residential electricians offer their services to homes and apartments, follow residential electrical codes, and handle work at a much smaller level. However, a commercial electrician has more extensive training and is up-to-date on the latest electrical codes, which are quite stringent. They carry different sets of tools, and their work encompasses designing electrical systems along with maintenance and repairs.
FAQs
How do I know if I’ve hired the right electrician?
Ask them about their experience regarding your specific system, check past reviews and ask around in the market for their reputation.
Which electrician handles electrical work in an apartment complex?
A residential electrician is responsible for issues within individual apartments. But for work related to parking lots, common areas, and hallways, you need a commercial electrician.
Can a commercial electrician handle residential work?
Yes, as long as they follow residential electrical codes, commercial electricians can technically handle residential work.