Understanding Commercial Electric Wiring
When you think about an office building, medical facility, school, or retail location, many things come to mind, but the last thing you may think about is wiring. Without it, none of those places would be able to function. Understanding commercial wiring is essential when building and maintaining any commercial location.
What is a Commercial Electrical System
The wiring is the lifeblood of operations in any commercial property. It powers everything from computers to air conditioning. Commercial wiring is vital to both safety and efficiency; without it, neither would be possible.
Commercial Wiring is the Heart of the Electrical System
At the center of commercial wiring are electrical panels and conduit systems. The panels act as the brain of mission control of electricity going to a commercial property. They manage the flow of power and how it is distributed throughout the building. The conduits work in concert with the panels to safeguard the wiring while guiding them where they need to go. This concept is central to electrical safety, along with practices like grounding and bonding the conduits to protect the wiring from being damaged.
What Kinds of Electrical Wiring Are There?
Conduit Wiring
As we just mentioned, conduit wiring keeps wires safe by encasing them in protective tubes, usually made from metal. These tubes protect the wires from environmental threats.
Armored Cable Wiring
Another type of commercial wiring is armored cable wiring. It is highly durable because it is contained inside a metal sheath. It’s used in places like high-traffic areas where commercial wiring requires additional protection. Armored cable wiring is best for industrial settings where heavy machinery is a daily threat.
Metallic and Non-Metallic Sheathed Wiring
Metallic sheathed and non-sheathed wiring are wires surrounded by a plastic or metal sheath for added protection. They work well in a variety of commercial buildings, from the industrial to schools or retail locations.
Fiber Optic Wiring
Since its inception, fiber optic wiring has become increasingly popular in commercial settings. Its ability to handle a large amount of data makes it ideal for office buildings, schools, or any commercial location that requires quick and constant contact with the Internet.
How is Commercial Electrical Wiring Installed?
It is important to understand that if you own a commercial building or are having one built, you cannot install wiring yourself or hire an unlicensed handyman to complete the job. Installing electrical wiring requires trained and experienced professionals with the right credentials.
What is the Installation Process?
The initial step is planning what type of wiring will be used and how it will be installed. The wiring has to match the requirements of the commercial building and meet code. The quality of the wiring is vital to the project. You don’t want to use a cheaper-quality wire for a location such as a hospital, where it could literally cost lives. Panels and conduits should also meet quality standards.
Next, qualified electricians will lay wiring, install electrical panels, and make certain that everything is working as it should. They will use specialized tools to check the wiring and panels for any faults that could cause a power outage down the line. Remember, even after construction has been completed, it is best to have your wiring checked on a regular basis to ensure it continues to go unnoticed, carrying on its daily task of carrying a river of electricity to your building.
New Horizons Construction Understands Commercial Wiring
If you are planning to build a commercial building in the greater Orlando area and want to ensure that the wiring and the whole construction are of high quality that you can count on, contact us. We are Central Florida’s premier commercial construction service. We will be happy to discuss your commercial project and partner with you to bring it to life.
