What Is the Difference Between Residential and Commercial Wiring Installations?

Modern structures are built with an electrical system. But did you know that there are a few key differences between commercial and residential wiring? Learning about these details can help you better understand each type of system. Read on to know more about these two kinds of wiring installation.

Wire Material and Placement

In residential buildings, wires are usually built into areas like an attic, crawl space, or basement. They are often more constantly exposed to environmental factors, such as contact with people or pets that enter these spaces. Due to this fact, the thin wiring material has a special plastic sheathing to protect residents from accidentally touching a live wire. Residential spaces are also often smaller, so the plastic sheathing allows the wire to safely come into contact with the environment and reduces the risk of an electrical fire.

For commercial spaces, the wire is much thicker because the system needs to conduct more power for the equipment used by the business. These broad wires are placed in thick plastic or metal tubing called conduits, usually located in open spaces in the building. Since companies are liable for any accidents on their property, commercial wires are coated with tough, high-heat-resistant nylon instead of plastic sheathing.

Aesthetics and Accessibility

Aesthetics are often a priority when it comes to residential installation. The wiring system must be out of sight, which is why it is usually hidden away in the attic or crawl space. This makes it harder to access when the network needs repairs or maintenance.

However, for commercial spaces, accessibility is typically prioritized over aesthetics. Electricians must have easy access to the wiring so that they can regularly maintain and repair the system without any difficulty. It also allows them to quickly troubleshoot in case of emergency.

Phase Design

Home wiring systems generally have less current running through them. For this reason, they often use a single-phase power model. This consists of a single set of three cables: a positive, negative, and ground wire.

Commercial systems, on the other hand, need a network that can efficiently carry large amounts of current. So, they usually utilize a three-phase power model. This helps any equipment receive an ample amount of power and even last longer.

Consult Our Electricians Today!

It’s important to have the right type of wiring installation for your commercial or residential structure in Gainesville. Give Vintage Electric a call and have a custom electrical system built for your property.