In this guide from the MFM team we look at the role of commercial electricians. Here we explain where they work, what tasks they complete and the benefits they provide.

But before we dive into the world of commercial electricians, first let’s establish exactly what is meant by a ‘commercial electrician’ and how they differ from other types of electricians.

What are the Different Types of Electricians?

Although many of the specific tasks might overlap, there are various kinds of electrician. The differences typically lie in the nature of the project itself, as each type of job requires a different set of specialised skills. Broadly speaking, electricians fall into three categories: residential, commercial, and industrial.

Residential (or domestic) electricians are probably the ones you are most familiar with. These electricians provide service to people’s homes, more often than not in the form of a single problem that they solve quickly before servicing several other residences that same day. Industrial electricians, on the other hand, work at factories or plants, utilising specialist knowledge to maintain the complex automated machinery there. For example, an industrial electrician working at a mine will have to be familiar with mining equipment, such as draglines and hydraulic shovels.

What is a Commercial Electrician?

Commercial electricians typically perform service to businesses and other commercial locales. This means that, unlike residential or industrial electricians, they are often working in public environments that get quite busy. The businesses, seeing the work as a necessary annoyance, want to keep their activities running as close to normal as possible while this is going on. This informs much of how commercial electricians go about their work, and why that work can be so challenging.

In contrast to residential and industrial electricians, the work of a commercial electrician often varies with each project. For instance, even if a school and an office building need the same installation performed, the commercial electrician will approach each of them according to their respective building layouts and what is necessary to keep them functioning as institutions.

Where Does a Commercial Electrician Typically Work?

A day in the life of a commercial electrician is rarely the same. Commercial electricians are specially experienced in providing service to a variety of sites, often with very different schematics. Therefore, they often liaise with electrical contractors and building managers to ensure that the work best suits the particular venue being serviced. Together, they come up with the most effective strategy for the job. Examples of the kinds of places commercial electricians work include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Schools, colleges, and universities
  • Offices
  • Hotels
  • Leisure facilities
  • Restaurants, cafés, and bars
  • Shopping malls
  • Libraries
  • Shops
  • Government buildings
  • Theatres, cinemas, and other entertainment venues
  • Museums
  • Various businesses

What Types of Tasks Does a Commercial Electrician Do?

The tasks required of a commercial electrician can vary from job to job, however below is a list of typical and generic duties they fulfil.

  • Installation and maintenance of wiring and electrical components
  • Performing safety checks on electrical units to ensure they meet regulation standards
  • Troubleshooting electrical or wiring issues
  • Repairing broken or faulty electrical equipment
  • Making, reading, and evaluating technical plans and drawings
  • Designing plans for new electrical installations
  • On-site training of apprentices
  • Leading and coordinating teams on a given project

What are the Benefits of Hiring a Commercial Electrician?

Certified

The work conducted by a commercial electrician is complicated, which is why commercial electricians undergo specialist training to perform it. Attempting the work without a certified commercial electrician is not only unsafe, but can ultimately cost your business more money in the long run. The fastest and most efficient way to solve an electrical problem is to contact a professional.

Speed

The speed of a commercial electrician is important. As a business, you want the servicing to be swift so that you can return to normal operations as soon as possible. Commercial electricians are trained for this task. Hiring an electrician without commercial expertise, or attempting the work yourself, will certainly take longer compared to bringing in the specialist experience of a commercial electrician.

Insured

Commercial electricians are insured so that neither you nor they are liable for any damage that occurs during the job. Should you hire an electrician that doesn’t specialise in commercial sites, the likelihood is they won’t have the proper insurance and you won’t be protected if an accident happens.

Specialist & Experienced

Ultimately, the value of a commercial electrician is in their specialist focus, which makes them the right electrician for the complicated jobs found in commercial and public properties. While some of their work might be similar to that of a residential electrician, such as the diagnosing of wiring issues or the installation of switches, it also includes complex tasks such as the laying of cables. A professional and experienced commercial electrician will be creative and quick to adapt to new challenges.

Quality Electrical Servicing with MFM

When hiring a commercial electrician for your business, you should be looking for two qualities above all else: project experience and professional reputation.

With MFM, you can be assured of both. As a widely-accredited and industry-leading provider of heating, mechanical, and electrical services across the South West, the safety of our clients is our top priority. Our highly-skilled commercial electricians pride themselves on their efficiency while remaining sensitive to the running of your business during the servicing. You can be confident that our electricians will deliver the proper electrical service you need and not cut corners on the job.

For more information on MFM’s reliable electrical services, or to request a quote, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly staff today.

Find out more about our commercial electrician services >

See more: What to Look for in a Suitable Electrical Installation Company