A commercial electrician is a trained and licensed electrician who specialises in building wiring and electrical systems in commercial buildings. Their expertise includes a multitude of works such as installing lighting and power distribution systems. They typically work in commercial buildings such as offices, retail stores, restaurants etc. As experts in commercial electrical work, they can also design, schedule, and mode systems according to industry standards.
Roles of commercial electrician
Commercial electricians perform various tasks to upkeep the commercial building maintenance, electrical repair in Clarksville, TN, installation, and inspection. Their role includes;
- Installation of wire and electrical units
- Maintenance and inspection of electrical wiring
- Checking whether the electrical systems are according to the codes
- Diagnosing all the electrical problems in the area which needs to be worked on
- Making plans for new installations and systems that require to be constructed
- Ensuring the guidelines issued by the state government or officials of the authorising committee.
- Training people who work in a similar environment
- Maintaining compliance with the local and national electric system guidelines and safety standards.
- Inspect the electrical systems they pass the industry standards.
- Identify and resolve issues relating to electrical systems using schematics to troubleshoot specific problem areas like switches, circuits, fuses, ballasts, and fixtures.
- Making, reading, and evaluating technical plans and drawings
- Designing plans for new electrical installations
- On-site training of apprentices
- Leading on a given project
Requirements for a Commercial Electrician
A commercial electrician must have a high school diploma or equivalent or must have completed an apprenticeship with a required number of hours of work experience in a commercial setting.
To become a commercial electrician, extensive experience is necessary due to the complexity of the projects. That can include hours of on-the-job experience, along with in-depth knowledge about phase and voltage balancing, circuitry, control systems and phase diagrams.
They need to have a solid technical aptitude for working with commercial wiring systems and the facility and manual skills to work with electrical tools. They will also need to have a solid understanding of electrical codes.
Required Skills and Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Completion of an electrician apprenticeship program
- Journeyman Electrician licence
- Thorough knowledge of the National Electrical Code
- Ability to understand schematics, and technical manuals
- Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
Licensing and Training for Commercial Electricians
To become a commercial electrician, you’ll need a set amount of hours both in training and experience from actual work, just like any other sort of electrician. You can also obtain all of these hours through an apprenticeship program.
If you have plans to work as a commercial electrician, you’ll need a specified amount of hours working in a commercial setting, depending on your state. Licensing authorities can operate at the state, county, and municipal levels. Varying Countries have different criteria for commercial electricians.
Commercial Electrician Work Environment
Commercial electricians work in a variety of settings, including office buildings, factories, retail establishments, and hotels.
They may occasionally work overtime, especially when deadlines must be met or repairs must be made outside of normal business hours. Their working places are cramped spaces and at great heights, and they may be exposed to electrical hazards.
Therefore, it is important for commercial electricians to be physically upright, must have good coordination, and be able to work in uncomfortable positions.
Salary and Job Outlook for Commercial Electrician
The salary for a commercial electrician is similar to that of a residential electrician. Employment of electricians is projected to grow 7 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 79,900 openings for electricians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. The median annual wage for electricians was $60,040 in May 2021 as per Bureau of Labor Statistics,
Conclusion
If you have an interest in working as an electrician, you may specialise in commercial buildings. The position is likely to be larger and more complex with a multitude of roles and responsibilities. Our article provides an overview of the scope of the work of a commercial electrician.