You need an electrician, but what kind?
Because the electrical industry is so complex and jobs so varied, many electricians choose to specialise in specific areas such as domestic, commercial and industrial electrical work.
While the core skills of these disciplines are the same, commercial and industrial electricians have specialist knowledge of three-phase electrical distribution and the control systems used to power large factories and office buildings.
But even within the commercial and industrial sectors, there are differences.
In this blog, we’re going to look at the difference between commercial and industrial electricians.
Knowing the difference between these two very different electrical disciplines is important to ensure the electrician employed to work on your system has the right set of skills and experience to complete the work you need to the highest standard.
Commercial electricians specialise in the design, installation and repair of electrical systems in commercial offices, retail outlets and the hospitality sector.
This type of work is similar to domestic work but involves the design and maintenance of three-phase systems which operate at a much higher voltage.
For this reason, commercial electricians need to be able to handle tools and electrical equipment safely. Because higher voltages not only increase the risk of a fatal electric shock. They increase the risk of dangerous arc flashes which can result in severe burns and fires.
Commercial electricians typically work in either an installation or service capacity. Installation electricians work with construction firms to design and install electrical systems for new builds and renovations. While service electricians maintain existing commercial electrical installations.
Service electricians also carry out inspection and testing of electrical installations and electrical equipment. This helps to identify outdated equipment which may no longer comply with the regulations.
They also check for damage to electrical equipment which may cause cables to overheat.
Facilities where commercial electricians work
- Offices
- Retail stores
- Shopping centres
- Cinemas
- Restaurants
- Care homes
- Hospitals
- Train/bus stations
- Civil buildings
Type of work carried out by commercial electricians
- Design and installation of three-phase AC electrical systems
- Fault finding on existing circuits
- Electrical inspections
- PAT testing
- Switchboard replacement
- Conduit installation
- Lighting system design and installation
- Fire alarm design, testing and installation
- Load distribution
- CAT 5e/6/7 installation
- Fibre optic cable installation
- Security and CCTV system design, repair and installation
- Building management system design and installation
Industrial electricians specialise in the design and installation of electrical equipment and control systems in industrial facilities.
While the basic skills are the same for both domestic and commercial electricians. Industrial electricians have specialist knowledge of AC/DC circuits for inductive and capacitive loads.
And, because industrial electrical systems are so diverse, many industrial electricians choose to specialise in specific areas. For example, some industrial electricians specialise in industrial robotics. This allows them to install, program and troubleshoot industrial robots on production lines.
While others specialise in Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC). These mini-computers control specific tasks on the production line. They are typically installed between input devices such as switches, sensors and actuators to manage outputs to relays, solenoids, motors and hydraulic pumps.
This type of specialised work goes far beyond the skills of a regular electrician. Industrial electricians need knowledge and experience in both electrical design and hydraulic systems. For this reason, you should ensure any industrial electrician you work with has the skills needed to work on your unique electrical system.
Facilities where industrial electricians work
- Factories
- Shipyards
- Chemical plants
- Oil refineries
- Mines
- Agricultural facilities
- Power stations
Work carried out by industrial electricians
- Design and installation of AC/DC power circuits
- Installation of high voltage cable for power distribution
- Licensed to carry out work in explosive atmospheres
- Switchboard upgrades
- PAT testing
- Circuit testing
- Industrial robot installation
- PLC programming
- Hydraulic/pneumatic system maintenance
- Installation of electric motors
- Installation and maintenance of production line equipment
Commercial and Industrial electricians in Dubbo
As you can see there is a significant difference between commercial and industrial electricians. While they both have the same core electrical skillset, the work they do daily is very different.
It’s vital then that you work with a team of electricians that have the right skills and qualifications to support your electrical systems. At O'Brien Electrical Dubbo, we employ a team of dedicated commercial and industrial electricians.
All our electricians are fully qualified and licensed to carry out commercial and industrial work across New South Wales.
We support a wide range of projects including the design and installation of new electrical systems, the inspection and testing of existing electrical systems and emergency fault finding and repair.
For more information about any of our commercial or industrial electrical services, contact us today. Our office is open from 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM each weekday, and we are always happy to answer questions you have about our specialised services.
