Commercial Electrical Installation are often more complex than residential ones. This is due to increased power demands, as well as the reliance on machines and alarm systems.
For this reason, it’s important to work with a specialized team of electricians with the training, education, certifications, and knowledge required for your project.
Electrical wiring is a vital component of any commercial building. It carries electricity throughout the property to power all appliances and equipment for day-to-day operations. Proper wiring is essential for safety and must adhere to strict regulations and standards. It’s crucial to hire a contractor with experience and expertise in commercial electrical installation, as there are different requirements when compared to residential structures.
Commercial electrical services include everything from new construction wiring to system upgrades and retrofitting. This can include a variety of tasks, such as installing lighting fixtures, circuit breakers and specialized systems. It’s also common for business owners to incorporate advanced technologies and smart systems into their commercial electrical installation, which can help increase efficiency and reduce energy costs.
One of the most common commercial projects is security system installations. These are often performed in new commercial builds, or when a business is moving into a renovated space. The electricians will plan out and install the wiring for the security needs of that particular location.
Aside from the installation of security systems, another common project for commercial electricians is the planning and installation of lighting features in a business. These can range from simple office lighting to more complex industrial or retail lighting. The electricians will work closely with other tradespeople, such as carpenters and painters, to ensure the finished product matches the client’s requirements.
Aside from installing lighting, the electrical contractors will also need to plan out and wire the distribution panel board and service entrance. The service entrance is where grid electricity enters your premises, and the distribution panel board is responsible for transmitting it to various rooms or equipment using subsidiary circuits. This can be a simple setup like overhead wires connected to a pole, or it could be a more complicated set up with a trough and multiple switches.
Distribution Panel Board
A commercial electrical panel board is the command center of any business, ensuring the building’s power system runs safely. They are designed to receive incoming electricity, manage its distribution, and connect the power outlets throughout a property. Whether it’s a main breaker panel or a distribution board, they are packed with a variety of safety mechanisms to prevent overloads and fire hazards.
Incoming electricity is carried by thick metal strips called busbars inside the panel board. It then gets split up into individual circuits, each of which feeds power to a specific device or group of devices (e.g., lights or convenience outlets). This system helps to spread the load evenly across your commercial premises and keep the power system running smoothly.
Throughout this process, the distribution board continuously monitors the flow of electricity. It will detect any problems and shut off the power supply to prevent damage or fires. The panelboard also contains additional safety mechanisms like breaker switches, circuit breakers, and fuses that protect against over-voltages or short-circuits. In addition, arc fault and ground fault detection devices, referred to as RCDs or RCBOs, can enhance safety by automatically disconnecting the power supply when there is an issue.
Look for a quality panelboard that has the capacity to meet your power needs, including future expansions. You’ll also want one with a UL label, indicating that the board has been tested and meets national safety standards. Also, look for copper or aluminum bus bars, which offer better conductivity and help to reduce energy losses and improve efficiency. The board should also have a main breaker with a single centralized cut-off point. A smaller breaker panel that serves as a sub-distribution board is known as a sub-board.
Service Entrance
The service entrance is where grid electricity enters a structure for routing to the rest of the building via subsidiary circuits. This can be as simple as overhead wires attached to a utility pole or a more complicated set up such as a trough with multiple switches. Since the service entrance is the point of connection between the power company’s facilities and the premises wiring, it’s crucial that it’s properly installed.
The National Electric Code (NEC) outlines specific requirements that must be adhered to in order for electricians to safely and effectively perform electrical work. This includes proper installation of service conductors and equipment, as well as adequate support for these components. Following NEC regulations fosters safety in residential settings while also supporting optimal performance for commercial installations.
Service entrance cables, also known as service-entrance conductors or SECs, are key components for bringing outdoor main electrical power into a residential setting. These cables are responsible for channeling power off the outdoor electrical line toward a home and then splicing onto the meter base and main electrical panel. There are two primary types of service entrance conductors – overhead and underground.
For both types of SECs, the disconnect must be located outdoors and clearly marked as an emergency disconnect. This ensures that the disconnect is readily accessible in case of a problem, and helps to avoid potential hazards like fires and electrical shock. Moreover, the disconnect must meet the requirements laid out in NEC Article 230, which details minimum clearances and identification needs for electric services.
Conductors
The flow of electricity can be a bit like a Class 5 river, it’s powerful and strong, but if it isn’t channeled correctly into your property it can cause a lot of damage. This is why your electrical panel is so important; it doesn’t just distribute power, but channels it to where it needs to be and ensures that the current isn’t too much for your property.
Commercial locations tend to have higher electricity loads than residential properties, which is why they need different wiring configurations. Rather than a single-phase system that delivers 120 volts, commercial locations typically use a three phase setup that is capable of running up to 415 volts. This allows for more power to be delivered to appliances and other equipment.
One of the other differences between commercial and residential electrical wiring has to do with the types of conductors used. In residential properties, electrical wiring is mainly comprised of thin, narrow wires that are encased in plastic sheathing. Commercial properties, on the other hand, tend to have thicker wires that are contained in tube-like conduits to provide protection.
There are a few different types of conduits that can be used in commercial electrical wiring, including metal-clad and nonmetallic. Both offer different levels of protection and are used in a variety of applications. Metal-clad wires are able to be buried in wet locations, while nonmetallic cables can be used indoors and resist corrosion.
Another type of conduit that is used in commercial electrical wiring is busway, which consists of a pre-mounted manufactured cable assembly consisting of insulated phase and neutral conductors as well as an insulated or bare equipment grounding conductor. Busway offers several advantages over other types of conduit, such as lower cost, easy installation and resistance to heat.
Containments
Electrical containment systems are the means by which cables and wiring are organized in a building or structure. They are typically made up of cable trays, wire baskets, conduits and trunking and are designed to support cables, provide easy maintenance access and create aesthetically pleasing installations. Electrical containment work is one of the most important aspects of a commercial electrical installation project. It prevents cables from damage, reduces fire risks and ensures a safe working environment.
When it comes to commercial electrical wiring, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has strict guidelines and requirements to follow. This is because businesses use more equipment, electronics and appliances than residential properties and require more electricity to operate effectively. Any problems with a commercial electrical system can result in costly damages and put people’s lives at risk. Therefore, it is crucial to have an experienced professional do the installation of electrical systems and wiring in a commercial setting.
Modern electrical systems depend on efficient containment methods to maintain safety, functionality and a neat appearance. Whether they are used in residential or industrial settings, implementing containment wiring techniques minimizes risks like physical damage and fire hazards and optimizes space for easy maintenance and future expansion.
It’s also important to have a regular inspection of all electrical systems and components in your business or property. This includes examining the electrical panels, circuit breakers, and power outlets for any signs of wear and tear. This is especially important for old buildings or those that have been refurbished to accommodate new equipment and technology. Inspections also help identify any issues with the electrical system and address them before they become a problem.