Installing your own commercial electrical system can seem daunting, but with the right planning and preparation, it can also lead to significant cost savings for your business. As the owner and operator of a commercial building, being able to understand and work on your electrical system provides more control over your operations and enables you to reduce reliance on outside electrical contractors.
Evaluating Your Electrical Needs
Before beginning any electrical project, the first step is determining the scope of your electrical needs. Consider the following:
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Type of business - The lighting, equipment, and computing needs for an office will differ greatly from a restaurant or retail store. Consider the types of electrical loads your business will require.
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Size of building - The number of circuits, amount of wiring, and electrical panel capacity depends largely on the square footage of your space. Accurately evaluate the size to determine electrical requirements.
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Power requirements - Take inventory of lighting fixtures, equipment, machinery, and devices to understand your total power needs. This determines the size of the electrical panel and wires to install.
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Future expansion - Even if starting small, consider possibilities like adding more space, equipment, or computing capacity down the line. Planning ahead will prevent frequent upgrades.
Thoroughly evaluating your electrical needs will provide the crucial details for planning your commercial electrical project. Being realistic about the scale of the job will help in budgeting both time and money.
Devising an Electrical Plan
The foundation of any successful commercial electrical project is a well-devised plan. Important elements to include are:
Electrical Load Calculator
Using your inventory of lighting, equipment, and devices, calculate total amperage or wattage needed. Compare this to the capacity of your existing electrical panel to identify any upgrades needed. Provide plenty of extra capacity for future growth.
Electrical Layout
Map out a floor plan and indicate the locations of your electrical panel, circuits, switches, outlets, and lighting fixtures. Consider code requirements for the number of outlets and lighting based on room size. Mark the paths for running wiring through walls and ceilings.
Materials List
Compile a list of every item needed for the project, including wiring, conduit, junction boxes, breakers, outlets, switches, and lighting fixtures. Having all materials in hand will make the installation process smoother. Order well in advance for specialized industrial equipment.
Permits and Inspections
Check your local jurisdiction's permit requirements for commercial electrical work. Factor in costs and timing of required permits and inspections. Failing to get proper permits can risk fines, work delays, and rejection of the electrical system.
Hiring a Licensed Electrician
For all but the most basic commercial electrical projects, it is advisable to hire a licensed electrician to carry out the work, especially if you lack expertise in electrical systems. However, you can perform much of the planning and preparation yourself to control costs. Key steps where hiring a professional electrician is critical include:
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Final plan review - Have your electrical plan examined by the electrician to ensure it meets all applicable codes and standards. This prevents rework down the road.
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Electrical panel upgrade - If your calculated electrical load exceeds your current panel size, installation of a new commercial-grade panel must be done by a qualified electrician.
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Running wiring - Commercial spaces often require running wiring through walls and ceilings. Let the electrician handle this major task.
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Final connections - Electricians have the expertise to properly connect wiring to outlets, switches, and equipment safely.
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Inspections - Your electrician can smoothly coordinate getting the required permits and inspections done by the local building department.
For these critical tasks, the cost of hiring a professional electrician will pay off in ensuring a compliant, safe electrical system.
Ordering and Installing Electrical Components
For a DIY electrical project, ordering equipment and handling basic installations are great ways to reduce costs. With proper planning, you can take on tasks such as:
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Purchasing materials - Order breakers, wires, outlets, switches, and junction boxes yourself at significant savings versus contractor markup.
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Setting up lighting - Once circuits are run, install commercial lighting fixtures like overhead lights, spotlights, and exterior lighting on your own.
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Installing outlets and switches - Allow the electrician to make final connections, but you can mount the outlet and switch boxes and run conduit between them.
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Low-voltage wiring - Handling the wiring for phone lines, internet networks, security systems, and audiovisual systems can provide big savings.
By ordering materials at cost and taking on basic installations, you can reduce the total expense while leveraging the electrician's more advanced skills where needed.
Maintaining Your Commercial Electrical System
Once your commercial electrical system is installed, focus on maintenance to keep it running safely and efficiently. Good practices include:
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Test ground fault and arc fault breakers monthly to ensure proper function.
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Check for loose connections and damaged wires when accessing electrical panels.
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Label all circuits clearly and update the electrical plan as modifications are made.
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Have an electrician inspect the full system annually to proactively identify maintenance needs.
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Consider infrared scans every few years to identify hot spots that indicate problems.
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Replace surge protectors, breakers, and outlets that show signs of wear.
By making electrical system maintenance a priority, you can get the maximum return on investment from a DIY electrical project while keeping your business's power needs running smoothly.
Leveraging Professional Guidance
When tackling a significant commercial electrical project yourself, don't hesitate to lean on the expertise of professionals like electrical supply companies, inspectors, and contractors:
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Consult electrical suppliers when choosing the right materials and components for your needs.
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Ask inspectors for advice on meeting code requirements before starting work.
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Hire electricians for major tasks and get input on your overall plan.
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Question contractors about best practices for the DIY portions.
While wanting to save on costs, recognize that electrical systems are not a place to cut corners. Invest in quality components and seek guidance throughout your project for a safe, reliable outcome.
Completing your own commercial electrical installation or upgrade provides an immense sense of accomplishment and significant cost savings that directly benefit your business. By realistically evaluating the project scope, hiring electricians strategically, and immersing yourself in the process, you can gain the skills and knowledge to reap the rewards of a DIY electrical project. Use caution, be thorough, and enjoy the power of controlling your own commercial space's electrical capabilities.