Commercial electricians install, repair, and maintain electrical systems in commercial establishments. These are typically any non-residential buildings which aren’t ordinarily used as homes, such as offices, storehouses, hospitals, shopping malls, and offices of government agencies. An exception would be a large apartment complex, which can often be considered commercial instead of residential. They are also employed in manufacturing facilities, where electricity is used in many of the day-to-day operations. Here, too, commercial electricians are often needed because there are several types of equipment involved, each needing separate attention and skills.
There are several types of commercial electricians. A general contractor is one who works on a project without a specific goal in mind. He does so to complete the job in the shortest possible time, but he doesn’t necessarily seek to minimize expenses. To be effective, his electrical plans should be clearly outlined, and a contract drafted to define those goals, giving him a deadline to achieve them. For this kind of contractor, experience may be an important plus; however, he may want to consider taking on additional education or training to bring his level of expertise up to industry standards. It’s always advisable to hire an experienced electrician to oversee the installation process and oversee repair as well.
Maintenance and servicing of commercial electricians work much the same way. Different types of electrical systems require varying amounts of maintenance, and commercial buildings differ from residential buildings in this area. The frequency of these changes will depend on the age and condition of the electrical systems and will probably have to be scheduled according to the regular maintenance schedule of the building’s owner. Some larger commercial complexes have an on-site janitor who cleans and handles the equipment.
Commercial power needs change over time, and commercial electricians need to stay current on those changes. Industrial power requirements are constantly evolving; therefore, the electrical systems of commercial buildings must also change along with them. An electrician’s work is directly influenced by this need. Industrial power needs can change because industries are expanding, while other areas are contracting. As well, power needs can increase for various reasons unrelated to industry, such as when more offices need power, when power needs are increased due to weather conditions, or even when power needs increase because of aging electrical components in the buildings. It’s important for a commercial electrician to keep himself up to date on these changes and fluctuations.
One of the few industries that directly affects the electrical profession is the manufacturing industry. In large manufacturing plants, there are many different types of electrical repairs that take place, each requiring its own unique set of skills. Many smaller manufacturing companies rely upon contract workers. Contractors typically start out working in the small, basic jobs that commercial electricians are required to do on a day-to-day basis. When a manufacturing company grows significantly, however, it calls for an expansion of those basic tasks, as well as new and different positions.
As one can see, commercial electricians are responsible for maintaining large industrial or commercial electrical systems. They perform a variety of duties that can vary widely from job to job. Each of these different jobs requires different sets of skills, as do the education and training needed for each job. For this reason, commercial electricians must be updated on a regular basis with regards to the electrical systems of both commercial and residential buildings. This allows them to be ready to answer any questions or problems that may come up concerning the systems they service. Electricians who are employed by large corporations are often involved with maintenance of the larger electrical systems of their employers, but may also perform jobs pertaining to residential buildings.