There’s a big difference between hiring a residential and commercial electrician in California that property developers and business owners have to keep in mind.
To find the perfect electrician to work on your property, you must first understand what type of electrical work they specialize in and there are several specialty domains to consider. The most prominent among them are residential and commercial electrical specialists. These two types of electrical specialists took courses with different certifications that allow them to operate in work environments that demand particular responsibilities.
In this article, we’ll go through the descriptions of residential and commercial electricians, their key differences, and the benefits of services they provide.
Residential Electrician
Residential electrical services are frequently called upon to work on the wiring in apartment complexes, condos, townhomes, and single-family homes. Service calls, wire repairs, wiring installations, estimating service demand loads, and installing service conductors for single-phase service are all handled by residential electricians.
Residential electricians are also capable of reading and interpreting designs, designing lighting plans, adhering to budgets, and even preparing estimates. Because of the International Building Codes (IBC), they normally install products that aren’t allowed in commercial applications.
Benefits of Hiring a Residential Electrician
Electrical systems are more intricately engineered than many people realize. Even if you are an experienced DIYer who has completed small renovation tasks, it is vital to remember that electrical work takes longer to accomplish and is more difficult to figure out in general. This is why residential electricians work as an apprentice for so long before becoming licensed electricians. We are certified and bonded, so you can rest assured that you are selecting a professional to assist you.
A household electrician can help you while you are in the process of building a new home, repairing electrical wirings in an older home, or adding electrical voltage. Here at Cali Coast Electric, we will work together with you to complete every project correctly the first time.
Aside from all this, hiring a residential electrician can also help you:
- Save Money – Hiring a professional will almost certainly save you more money than attempting the job yourself and purchasing all of the necessary parts and tools.
- Ensure Safety – Many electrical components that should be freely accessible are trapped in difficult-to-reach or dangerous locations, making even getting to the worksite a risk. Save yourself the trouble and pay an electrician to do the job smoothly and safely.
- Provide Immediate Solution – We, professional electricians, have seen it all thanks to our significant education and expertise in the field of electrical. No amount of Google searches will provide you with an answer as quickly as we can once we observe the issue you’re having. We can assist you with troubleshooting to identify the issues and suggest an immediate solution.
Commercial Electrician
Commercial electricians install, maintain, and update electrical systems and other electrical components in commercial buildings such as offices, parks, school buildings, hotels or resorts, retail stores, and other industrial facilities. And the task they handle requires certain certifications. This necessitates training and practice to ensure that the electrician can bend, fasten, and size conductors per the National Electric Code (NEC).
Benefits of Hiring a Commercial Electrician
If you own a commercial property, the top priority must be to make sure your facility is being well-supported. Hiring commercial electricians to handle all of your electrical needs ensures that you have access to upgrades, repairs, replacements, and installs that will help your business or buildings run more smoothly. It ensures a safer environment and a seamless flow of operations.
Aside from being ready for whatever electrical problem that may come your way, hiring a commercial electrician can also help you with the following:
- Provide Quality Lighting – As a business owner, you must ensure that your building or workplace has the appropriate lighting. Professional and correctly installed lighting can also help you save money on your electricity bill. A commercial electrician can give you various lighting recommendations you can choose from.
- Instill Lighting Protection Systems – To reduce the risk of harm and damage to your business, you’ll require lightning protection systems, which is where a commercial electrician comes in useful. These systems are beneficial, and they can only be installed by a certified electrician with the necessary expertise.
- Follow Electrical Codes and Standards – Commercial electricians fully understand the electrical codes and regulations that the average person does not grasp. We have the knowledge and experience necessary to ensure safety as well as adherence to legal requirements designed to protect individuals from electrical harm and risk.
- Inspect Electrical Hazards – Commercial electricians are trained to recognize electrical risks, whether they are visible or buried in your establishment. Hiring electrical experts will ensure that your workplace is free of these dangers, ensuring a safe working environment.
- Perform Electrical Improvements – Hiring a professional electrician can help you extend the life of your existing appliances while also saving you money. You can also have them evaluate and improve anything from your ceiling fans to your electrical panel.
Residential Electrician vs Commercial Electrician
Simply put, residential electricians are only licensed to work on homes. While commercial electricians can wire a wide range of commercial structures, including offices, malls, and grocery stores.
Residential and commercial electricians differ in a variety of ways, despite having many of the same work obligations. Here are some instances of the differences between residential and commercial electricians:
Work Environments
Residential and commercial electricians work in distinct situations, as their job titles suggest. Installing wire systems and electrical components for new homes or apartments is a common task for residential electricians. Since residential electricians work in well-established residences that are occupied by families or people, it is only expected that we give our respect to the homeowners and their personal property while performing installations and repairs.
Commercial electricians, on the other hand, operate on construction sites for commercial structures such as office parks or retail establishments. They may also do maintenance or repairs on electrical systems in commercial buildings that are in operation. Commercial electricians may be required to conduct work early in the morning or late at night in these instances to accommodate the company or retail hours.
Here’s a general overview.
Residential electricians typically work in:
- Single-family homes
- A duplex, triplex, or fourplex
- Townhomes
- Condos
- Some small-scale apartments
Commercial electricians typically work in:
- Retail businesses
- Commercially-owned multi-family housing
- Offices
- Warehouses
- Hospitals
Wiring, Codes, and Phases of Power
The scale of the voltage systems that residential and commercial electricians construct, repair, or maintain is one way that their work duties differ. Residential electricians often work with high-voltage electrical systems that supply homes with power between 120 and 240 volts. Commercial electricians, on the other hand, can operate with extra high voltage systems that transcend 240 volts for large commercial structures.
Electrical wirings that residential and commercial electricians work on also differ:
For protection, wires in commercial buildings are housed in tube-like conduits. The cables are also run in open areas so that maintenance can be done quickly.
On the other hand, wires are encased in thin plastic sheaths in residential buildings. Because cables are typically run in attics or crawl spaces, these sheaths are intended to protect individuals from electrocution. Residential wiring rarely necessitates the use of conduits.
Residential and commercial electricians also follow different regulations:
Commercial buildings, on average, have more stringent electrical codes than residential buildings. An electrician must observe building codes and obtain the necessary permits in both circumstances. Specific codes apply to commercial properties in the following areas:
- Design, size, and scope
- Materials for the installation
- Systems involving electricity
- Techniques of installation
Educational Requirements
The milestones for both residential and commercial electricians are on the same track. And both residential and commercial electricians require a high school certificate or GED, followed by an apprenticeship, or a two-year technical school program followed by an apprenticeship.
They do, however, undertake different types of apprenticeships. A prospective residential electrician, for example, would most likely seek an apprenticeship with a person or electrician company that specializes in installing, repairing, or maintaining electrical systems in homes. Prospective commercial electricians, on the other hand, are more likely to seek out an apprenticeship with a commercial electrician company that would prepare them to deal with major electrical systems in commercial buildings.
Residential and commercial electricians have the same responsibilities but they vary in different circumstances. While many people may not think of residential and commercial electricians as a crucial part of their lives, they significantly contribute to safety, comfort, and convenience.
If you are from Menifee or the surrounding area searching for a “professional electrician near me“, Cali Coast Electric is here to help! To find out more, call us (951) 233 -4113 or get in touch through our online contact form.
