Distinct Commercial Electrician Training

 

For distinction, a commercial electrician is a trained (and licensed) electrician whose main specialty is on wiring and installing the electrical systems in commercial building rather than residential buildings.

 

These professional electricians can also work with much bigger systems in large buildings. These include such buildings as shopping malls office buildings, restaurants, government buildings and other high rises.

 

There are many aspects of the job and the training which are all similar to those of residential electricians. However, there are also very important differences to consider.

 

Duties and responsibilities

 

Like the basic duties of most electricians, commercial electrician must be able to install maintain, inspect and repair electrical systems in commercial buildings. Since these buildings are not used as residences, they are relatively taller than the residential buildings.

 

One exception is that some large apartment buildings are considered commercial rather than residential buildings.

 

Some work details

 

Commercial electrician install wirings and electrical components like switches and lights. They are also tasked to maintain these electrical systems, inspecting them to make sure they work, are completely safe and up to code. They are also expected to be able to diagnose and fix problems in the wirings and some other electrical components.

 

For new construction projects, they must know how to plan the electrical systems for the new project. In doing these, they are expected to be able to use and follow state, local and national guidelines.

 

After quite some time being a professional, they can be expected to lead teams of

electricians and training apprentices full time.

 

Work place

 

Typically, the work environment of a commercial electrician is indoors. However, there is also a significant amount of time spent in the work truck, going to and from jobs.

 

Like the residential electricians, these professionals have some parts of their work involving some physical demands. Sometimes, they are required to go into small spaces, move around a lot and sometimes spending the whole day standing or crouching in their work place. Sometimes, the work can become dangerous, with the risk of shocks, and some injuries from the tools and other equipment. There are always strict reminders for them to follow regarding the use of safety gears. This is to avoid and preclude potential accidents.

 

Training / licensing

 

Different states have different and separate licensing for commercial and residential electricians. The main reason is that the wiring and the power used in commercial settings are different.

 

In residential settings, the power is one-phase, while the power to commercial buildings is three-way phase. Electricians working on commercial wiring need to be trained to be able to work with these important differences.

 

OJT and work experience

 

For any electrician, to become a commercial electrician would need a certain number of learning hours as well as doing on the job training and work experience. . An apprenticeship program can provide all of these required hours.

 

Some programs include training for both residential and commercial work, while these are separate trainings in others.

 

If you want to become a commercial electrician you will need to have a certain number of hours of work experience, depending on your state, in a commercial setting.