Difference Between Commercial and Residential Electrical Services Explained
Electricity is an important part of our daily life. To transfer electricity from where it is generated to where it is consumed requires different materials such as conductors, transformers and other equipment. Depending on the type of end consumer (Residential vs Commercial), different level of skills and expertise is required to install and maintain these electrical materials and equipment. As such, the service performed and the skills required to install and maintain these electrical systems could vary based on the type of the end consumer.
Types of Electrical Services
There are two main 3 types of Electrical services:
- Commercial Electrical Services
- Residential Electrical Services
- Industrial Electrical Services
In this article, we will focus only on the Commercial and Residential Electrical Services and highlight how they differ.
Commercial Electrical Services
It can be defined as the work performed in installing and maintaining the network of electrical wires and devices in commercial buildings such as offices, malls, restaurants, warehouses, medical facilities, etc.
Residential Electrical Services
It can be defined as the work performed in installing and maintaining electrical wires and devices within a residential home.
Difference Between Residential and commercial Electrical Service
While both services have some similarities, they also have some distinct behavior that are important to understand. Let us discuss some differences between both services.
Installation
Complexity of installation is one of the most important features to understand. Residential Electrical Service involves the simpler installations such as switches, outlets, lights etc. While the Commercial Electrical Service involves installation at a complex level such as installation of transformers, generators and high-capacity wiring etc.
Scale and purpose
The main difference in both services is their scale and purpose. The Residential Electrical services are designed to fulfill electrical needs of houses and small residences that are private. While Commercial Electrical Services are designed to cater to the electrical supply for large scale facilities and large businesses.
Safety regulations
Safety is first priority in electrical systems. Although both systems have safety regulations, the commercial electrical system needs more rigorous regulation and inspection. This rigorous inspection is due to the risk of high potential hazards of complex installations.
Load Handling Capacity
Load handling capacity is a crucial factor in distinguishing residential Electrical services from Commercial Electrical Services. Commercial buildings have higher load demand for the operation of heavy machinery, large lighting setup and industrial equipment. Therefore, Commercial Electrical Service deals with systems with larger load handling capacity as compared to Residential Electrical Service.
Power Phase
Commercial Electrical service use three phase power supply to fulfill large power demand while Residential Electrical service works on single phase power supply due to lower load demand.
Electrical Emergencies
Commercial Electrical services have emergency protocols such as power backups and a team always available to see the issue on the spot, already installed. While residential electrical emergencies generally need local electricians for assistance.
Repairs
Repairs and maintenance can be costly for the Commercial Electrical Services due to complexity of system as compared to Residential Electrical Services. Commercial Electrical services require regular maintenance for the optimal work.
Conclusion
Electrical services for both residential and commercial properties are very different from one another in terms of their extent, complexity, load capacity, regulatory requirements, maintenance requirements, and emergency response capabilities.
Understanding the differences between commercial and residential electrical services is crucial for making well-informed decisions and properly maintaining electrical systems, whether it’s to guarantee the security of a family home or the efficient functioning of a large enterprise.