Commercial vs Residential Electrical

[mobiledynamics]

is the work practice different with a electrician that does commercial work vs. residential a different mindset
Akin to some prefer to frame in steel, others prefer wood ....
Those who are residential sparks may at times have to deal with those applications of working in a finished space...


Seems pretty universal in most commercial jobs I've seen, they err on 4" box with a mud ring
On the resi side, granted, it's more use of Carlon than metal boxes, and single gangs are used where most applicable - I totally prefer even singles gang to be a box with a mud ring.

On the switching side, I have a preferred setup for boxes with dimmers and splices and all crammed in. At the supply houses, they make these insanely deep boxes in 3/4/5 gang range - does cost a bit, but the volume on these is prefect...The work I see in commercial in terms of rough in, I prefer ...on my own home setups.

 

[Stuart in MN]

The biggest difference I can think of is an electrician who mainly does commercial work may not be completely familiar with the code issues for residential work, and vise versa.

 

[nadogail]

My experience was more Marine (ship building) and Industrial. In Residents work the emphasis has been on pretty as opposed to functional
All electrical work has to be functional but it has been my impression they also expect it to be invisible.

 

[Jim greengo]

There's a big difference between drilling holes/pulling and stapling romex,and bending conduit.

 

[TRWham]

I have worked in heavy (power plants), commercial and residential in engineering and project management. Obviously wiring methods differ, but I think the biggest difference is plans vs. no plans and the resulting initiative the electrician can employ. In commercial or heavy, you build what is on the plan with little or no room to decide when or how things are done. In residential, especially renovation, sometimes you have no plans so everything must be laid out and selected by the guy running the wire based on code and in consultation with the owner and/or PM.

 

[Terry D]

I have done both. I would say commercial is more laid back than residential. Wiring new homes is a young mans game. There is not as much money to be made in residential, being a contractor. The electrician have to get in and get out and move to the next one. High end residential is a little different. I do a lot of high end kitchens and baths, there is good money there. I have done whole custom homes and made pretty good. But as far as doing a whole sub division of track homes, the money is tighter. I like commercial more. I dont want to offend anyone, but I think it takes more of a craftsman. It keeps you thinking more.

 

[kinglake]

Its very interesting that the last two posters directly contradict each other. One suggest commercial requires little thinking as its a matter of following plans, whereas the second says commercial keeps you thinking more. I have no insight or experience either way, but find this interesting.

 

[u2slow]

I grew up with construction and learned residential early. It got boring quickly. I find there's more variety in commercial/industrial settings. I also like metal and mechanics.

I do my own home and shop electrical in a very commercial style. I like installations that are easy to modify and enhance as my needs change.

 

[TRWham]

Its very interesting that the last two posters directly contradict each other. One suggest commercial requires little thinking as its a matter of following plans, whereas the second says commercial keeps you thinking more. I have no insight or experience either way, but find this interesting.

I didn't say little thinking- I said little initiative with regard to what is done. The commercial electrician must still keep in mind all the necessary trade craft and understand what the plans and specs are saying to do. The quickest way to evaluate a commercial electrician is to look at the conduit to see how coherent the bends and joints and clamps are. It requires thinking to achieve an elegant installation, but that doesn't mean he gets to decide what pipes run where, or what color wire or even what order the breakers are installed in the panel.

 

[rburke65]

I have done both. I would say commercial is more laid back than residential. Wiring new homes is a young mans game. There is not as much money to be made in residential, being a contractor. The electrician have to get in and get out and move to the next one. High end residential is a little different. I do a lot of high end kitchens and baths, there is good money there. I have done whole custom homes and made pretty good. But as far as doing a whole sub division of track homes, the money is tighter. I like commercial more. I dont want to offend anyone, but I think it takes more of a craftsman. It keeps you thinking more.

What keeps you thinking more?

 

[Terry D]

What keeps you thinking more?

Conduit bending, sizing motor circuits, 3-phase, J-box sizing, just getting from point A to point B with circuits as far as mounting conduit or what kind of Caddy fasteners to use, to name a few