What is a commercial electrician?

Thinking about becoming an electrician and wondering what the commercial side of the trade involves? Then this guide is for you! We’ll explore what a commercial electrician does, how it differs from other types of electrician, and what you need to do to become qualified.

What is a commercial electrician?

A commercial electrician installs, maintains and repairs electrical systems in non-residential buildings. This could include offices, shops, schools, and other business premises, either on a contract or in-house basis. They ensure that businesses and public spaces have safe, efficient and compliant electrical systems to keep their day-to-day operations running smoothly.

While domestic electricians focus on homes, commercial electricians handle more complex systems, often with higher voltages and more extensive wiring networks. Because the properties they work on tend to be open to the public, commercial electricians need in-depth knowledge of UK health and safety laws and electrical standards. Their work might include lighting, fire alarms, data cabling or power distribution, and could require working outside of standard business hours to minimise downtime during installation or repair work.

What does a commercial electrician do?

Commercial electricians are responsible for keeping business and public buildings safely powered and compliant with all relevant safety and electrical legislation. Their day-to-day work can vary widely depending on the project, but typically includes:

– Installing and maintaining lighting, power systems and security equipment

– Working in premises like offices, retail units, schools and hospitals

– Diagnosing and repairing faults in circuits and electrical equipment

– Installing energy-efficient systems, such as LED lighting or smart controls

– Working from technical drawings and blueprints to plan installations

– Testing and inspecting electrical installations to ensure compliance with current electrical and building regulations

You can read more about the skills and responsibilities of commercial electricians in our guide What does an electrician do?

How is being a domestic electrician different to other types of electrician?

While commercial electricians share many of the same core skills as other specialists, each type of electrician focuses on different settings, systems and requirements. Here’s how they compare.

Domestic electrician

Domestic electricians work in residential properties, installing and maintaining electrical systems in homes. Their focus is on lower-voltage systems, consumer units and household wiring, ensuring that everything complies with building regulations and Part P safety standards.

Industrial electrician

Industrial electricians work in factories, manufacturing plants and warehouses. They maintain and repair high-powered electrical machinery, control systems and heavy-duty equipment. This work often involves higher voltages, specialist safety procedures, and knowledge of automation or production systems.

Utility electrician

Utility electricians handle the infrastructure that delivers power to homes and businesses, such as power lines, substations and grid systems. Their work focuses on electricity generation and distribution rather than installations inside a building, and as such requires additional training and safety certification.

How do you become a commercial electrician?

The best route to becoming a commercial electrician depends on your age and experience, as well as your preferred learning style. The main pathways you can follow are:

– Full-time education: Studying electrical qualifications at college

– Apprenticeship: Combining hands-on experience with classroom learning

– Adult learner: Retraining later in life through structured courses

– Experienced worker assessment: For those with industry experience but no formal qualifications

For more information about each of these routes, check out our guide to becoming an electrician.

Want to become a commercial electrician?

Would you like to train as a commercial electrician? Explore our courses and take the first step on your journey today. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our friendly team for advice on the best learning pathway for you.