Commercial electrician Peterborough ON

When it comes to commercial electrical work, you must do your due diligence to find an electrical contractor who is: experienced, reliable, and pays close attention to detail.

These traits are crucial if you want your building or office’s electrical system to function properly, be efficient and safe, as well as be up to code.

While most, if not all, commercial electricians can do residential work, the reverse may not be true. It takes additional training and on-the-job training to be familiar with the larger scale systems found in an office, a building or other commercial setting. Apartment buildings likely fall into the commercial electrical category due to the size and complexity of the dwelling.

Some tasks involved in commercial electrical services include:

Ensuring the necessary permits are obtained before starting any work

Updating wiring and systems according to the updated code

Being familiar with bylaws and City requirements for construction and electrical systems

Reading and interpreting technical drawings

Installing, upgrading and repairing electrical systems, electrical panels, light fixtures, outlets, cabling, large appliance and equipment power sources

Working alongside other contractors if applicable

Supervising and overseeing the work done by apprentice electricians

Arranging for electrical inspections by local city inspectors

Ensuring the electrical systems work in unison and are properly interconnected

Troubleshooting, diagnosing and repairing electrical issues, with emphasis on identifying the underlying cause rather than applying “bandage” treatments

Although the scope of work overlaps for both residential and commercial electricians, due to the size and complexity of the commercial setting, there are some notable differences.

Educational and experience requirements:

All electricians in Ontario must complete 9,000 hours of apprenticeship training (equating to about 5 years) with a minimum requirement of high school completion in most cases, in addition to course requirements in others (including English, Math and Physics). Some pre-apprenticeship programs must be completed before the commencement of the apprenticeship training. Commercial electricians must have completed relevant commercial work and additional certifications.

There are three (3) main branches of electrician studies and they include: i) ICI sector (acronym for industrial, commercial, institutional), and also known as Construction and Maintenance Electrician, ii) Low rise residential sector - this pertains to homes and dwellings, not including high rise buildings, iii) Lineworkers - work with the high voltage and utility sectors. Electricians Peterborough can handle all that is within the ICI and Low rise residential sectors, namely residential and commercial electrical work.

Equipment:

There is a voltage and power requirement difference between residential and commercial settings - the former typically uses single phase systems between 120 to 240 V, whereas the latter uses three phase systems with conductors carrying up to 480V power.

Due to the voltage difference, the equipment used is slightly different, for example commercial wiring requires more insulation and sheathing to withstand the higher power passing through the cables.

There are other differences between residential and commercial electrical work; however, the important thing to realize, as the consumer, is to hire an electrical contracting company that is comfortable and experienced in doing commercial work, if that is the service you are seeking. Fortunately, Electricians Peterborough has extensive experience in both residential and commercial electrical services, so you can rest assured your office or building’s systems will run smoothly.

Call now for a no-obligation quote:

705-996-2556