Not All Electrician Are the Same
What Is the Difference Between a Commercial and Residential Electrician?
One difference between commercial and
is the type of wiring that is used in a building. In residential homes, the wiring has a plastic sheathing that encases thin, narrow wires. This is there to protect the wiring and any materials against damage or heat, due to the fact it is in places which are hard to reach like in walls and attic spaces.
In commercial buildings, the wiring is placed in open spaces to allow for better access, however, the wiring is in tube-like conduits for better protection. So you can imagine, commercial buildings
use more power than residential ones. To help ensure all kinds of buildings receive the power they need without the worry of overloading a property, the utility company categorizes the electrical load by what is known as a phase, so residential properties use 1 phase and commercial buildings use a 3 phase power.
Single-phase power is a total of 240 volts; this is delivered in 2 legs of 120 volts each. Three-phase power is a total of 448 volts and uses 2 legs of 120 volts, plus, a third wild leg which contains 208 volts. Residential electrical installations are done before any drywall is installed, with all the unsightly wires safely hidden behind the walls. It is extremely rare that electrical maintenance is needed on the wiring once it has been installed in a home.
However, in commercial settings, it is expected there will be frequent changes and repairs on the electrical wiring, which is why it is housed in ducts or conduits where it is easily accessible for any alterations, repairs, or replacements.
A lot of other factors are put into designing and installing any type of electrical system, which is why it is so important to work with an expert who is trained on your type of property. Should you need a professional
residential electrician
, call Hurley's Electrical Services, Inc. in Austin, TX today on (512) 501-0548.