When it’s time to hire an electrician, it’s vital that you know which type you'll need. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of electricians was projected to grow by 7% from 2021 to 2031. With so many electricians employed in the U.S., you'll want to make sure you're hiring the right one for the job. Let’s look at some of the important differences between a commercial and residential electrician.

Different Sets of Services

Residential electricians generally provide services for residential homes. This could include inspections, rewiring, repairs, maintenance, and installations. Commercial electricians, however, primarily provide work for businesses and larger organizations such as schools, hospitals, and more. They also tend to take on much larger scale projects that would involve much more intricate wiring and services.

Different Equipment Supplies

Residential electricians will use different equipment than commercial electricians. This is due to the fact that residential electricians deal with different voltages. Residential electricians generally deal with voltages between 120V to 240V, according to Indeed. Commercial electricians, however, would be dealing with much higher voltages. According to Indeed, they generally deal with up to 480V. This requires more specialized work and even stricter safety standards.

Outside of just voltages, there are many differences between residential and commercial electricity. Wiring systems in commercial buildings, for example, are much larger and more involved since they power an entire building that could potentially fit hundreds of people. A four-person home, however, doesn't need such complex systems to fulfill the needs of the household.

Different Training Certifications

Because they are working on very different types of projects, training and certifications differ between residential and commercial electricians. If you are looking to hire an electrician, you'll need to make sure they are properly certified to meet your needs. Commercial electric work is, in general, much more complex than residential work and requires even more knowledge and experience. If you need commercial work done, don't call a residential electrician for the job.

As you can see, residential and commercial electricians have very different jobs and responsibilities. Our commercial electricians are highly skilled at what they do. If you are in need of commercial electrical work, please contact Highgate Electric today. We are here for all of your needs!