Your crisp guide to hiring the right commercial electricians for your installation projects

About commercial electrical installation 

Commercial electrical installation is a commonly used term. It refers to installing electrical systems and equipments in commercial premises like offices, retail outlets, shopping malls, public buildings, banks, hotels, schools, colleges, hospitals, distribution centres and such other places that are non residential. 

A typical electrical installation of a building covers a range of components. It includes electrical outlets, electrical panels, lighting, generators, transformers, circuit breakers, RCDs and many other electrical equipment that cater to the electrical requirements of any commercial building. Commercial electrical installation involves meticulous planning along with designing and installing electrical systems that cater to particular needs of a property. Moreover it also ensures safety and compliance with the relevant codes and regulations. Commercial electrical installations can be highly intricate and demanding jobs even for fully qualified and highly experienced electricians.

Different types of commercial electrical installation

Commercial electrical installation jobs must be executed by licensed electricians. Licensed electricians possess proper knowledge and expertise to tackle complex electrical equipments and systems. It is crucial that commercial electrical systems are properly installed and maintained thereafter. Only when installations and maintenance are done in the right way a building becomes electrically safe and its occupants are safe from electrical shocks and fires. Proper installation and maintenance also ensure sound functionality and efficiency of the electrical infrastructure of the concerned building.

Commercial electrical installations may vary widely depending on particular needs and requirements of a facility or a commercial property. some of the most common types of commercial electrical installations include the following –

• Lighting installation 

According to a commercial electrician in London this type of installations deals with installation of lighting systems throughout a building or facility. The installation includes overhead lighting, emergency lighting and task lighting.

• Installation of power

This deals with installation of power distribution systems throughout a facility or building. Installation involves electrical panels, wiring and outlets.

• Installation of HVAC systems

This involves installation of electrical systems for HVAC systems (HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning). This type of installations includes thermostats, power distribution systems and control systems.

• Installation of fire alarm systems

This involves installing fire alarm systems throughout a system or facility. The installation covers smoke detectors, fire alarms and heat detectors.

• Installation of security systems

This involves installation of security systems like surveillance cameras, alarms, access control systems and such other items.

• Installation for data and communication

This type of installations involves data and communication systems. It includes network cabling, internet connections, phone lines and others.

• Installation for renewable energy systems

This type of installations involves solar panels and other types of renewable sources of energy that generate electricity for the facility or building.

The particular type of commercial electrical installations that is required in a commercial property or facility depends on certain factors including the following –

• The specific needs of a building
• The number of occupants the building or facility can support
• The type of business involved

A licensed electrical contractor having years of experience working in the industry can help you determine the best type of installation that a commercial building or facility requires. Moreover you can also depend on the professional for faultless installation and maintenance services.

Residential and commercial electrical installations – the differences

There are lots of differences between commercial electrical installations and domestic electrical installations. Few crucial differences include the following –

• Electrical load – The electrical load for a commercial facility or property is typically much higher than that of any residential building. In other words this is to say electrical systems and equipments that are used in commercial buildings are much larger and more complex than those used in residential properties.
• Electrical wiring and circuitry – Usually electrical wiring in any residential property is much simpler than that in any commercial property. Compared to a commercial facility the wiring in a residential property usually has much fewer circuits and runs. In commercial properties the wiring is usually more extensive with complex circuitry. It also involves a larger number of panels and points of power distribution, explains a commercial electrician in the UK.
• Safety standards – Compared to residential electrical installations, commercial installations have more stringent safety regulations. This is because of the fact usually commercial properties have higher rate of occupancy and thus may pose a greater risk in case an electrical fire breaks out or any other accident occurs.  
• Power supply – Usually commercial buildings are need of a three-phase power supply whereas their residential counterparts have a single-phase power supply. This is because commercial facilities require higher capacity of power for efficient operation of heavy electrical instruments.
• Cost concerned – Compared to domestic electrical installations, commercial installations are usually much costlier. The higher cost is justified by complexity in wiring and electrical systems that commercial properties require.   

On the whole commercial electrical installations are much more complex and challenging than residential electrical installations. Residential installations also have much lower requirement of power as well as fewer safety requirements. Commercial electrical installation are all about more extensive circuitry and wiring with higher requirements for power explains a commercial electrician near me in London. 

Tips to hire the right commercial electrical contractor

In order to complete your project successfully it is important to hire the right commercial electrical contractor. Here are a few tried and tested tips that help you identify a skilled and reliable commercial electrical contractor.

Licensing and insurance coverage – The first and foremost factor you should consider while hiring an electrical installation contractor is the candidate’s professional license and insurance coverage. An electrical contractor must possess necessary professional license issued by relevant authorities. It is also significant to confirm that your contractor possesses necessary insurance plans and coverage. This protects you and your family from liability in case of any unfortunate incident that may occur while at work on your project. Licensing and insurance both ensure the contractor in question satisfies the existing regulations and industry standards.

Professional qualifications and experiences – Better quality of workmanship you can expect if your contractor is more qualified and experienced. Before hiring a contractor you should also make sure the professional possesses a proven track record in commercial electrical installation. A commercial electrician working at Commercial Electrician London suggests, it is also important to check the credentials, certifications and reviews about the tradesman submitted by previous clients. A professional who has a lengthy track record of handling successful projects is always a better candidate.