Differences Between Residential, Commercial and Industrial Electricians

You may assume that all electricians do all things: homes, businesses, and industrial warehouses. But this isn’t always the case. Some electricians have specialties, where they only work in residential , or only commercial . Some do handle all three. It’s important to ask when you’re calling around for service.

Your Lake St. Louis electrician should be upfront about their capabilities. Each type must abide by different procedures that call for different materials and types of equipment. This is why it’s important to never assume the professional you hired for your job will be especially skilled at it. Let’s talk about the differences between residential, commercial and industrial electricians.

Residential Electricians

Residential electricians are electricians that work in homes. To become residential electricians, they must complete an apprenticeship, gather 8,000 to 10,000 hours of experience (up to four to five years), and pass an exam in order to become a licensed master electrician. There are additional requirements between states. In Missouri, they need 8,000 hours (or five years) of full-time electrical work, as well as 500 to 1,000 hours of classroom-based instruction.

Residential electricians can complete repairs and install new electrical projects such as wiring for ceiling fans. They are skilled in:

• Electrical repairs
• Residential wiring
• Electrical panel replacement
• Recessed lighting installation
• Ceiling fan installation
• General electrical services
• Emergency electrical services

Commercial Electricians

Commercial electricians work in stores and offices, typically installing power outlets and lighting. The training requirements are similar to residential electricians, but the bulk of their hours must be in commercial or industrial applications. They work for businesses and organizations in shopping centers, retail buildings, public buildings, restaurants and offices, installing electrical wiring for commercial new construction and performing repairs and upgrades.

Their responsibilities include:

• Installation of commercial electrical wiring
• Installation of recessed lighting
• Installation of electrical components
• Electrical panel maintenance and repairs
• Energy efficient lighting retrofits
• Emergency electrical services
• General electrical services

Industrial Electricians

Industrial electricians are basically the same as commercial electricians but they also work in large factories, chemical plants, warehouses and mines. They work in settings where machinery is needed for manufacturing or processing. The electrical maintenance needed to keep these facilities running requires special skills to ensure safe and efficient production.

Also, electrical equipment in these settings is very sensitive and expensive, which requires in-depth knowledge of wiring requirements for manufacturing facilities.

They typically perform these jobs:

• Industrial wiring that is specific to the industry
• Repairs and testing of electrical machinery used in production
• Electrical maintenance of machinery
• Grounding of machinery

Residential, Commercial & Industrial Electrican O’Fallon MO

Here at Braco, we are both residential and commercial electricians in St. Peters MO. If you need service for your home or your office, contact us at 636-294-8562.