Commercial Electrical Service focuses on ensuring efficient and reliable power distribution throughout commercial properties. This includes electrical panels and switchgear, as well as structured cabling systems.
Outdated wiring poses serious safety hazards and may be violating local and state electrical codes. A professional electrician can inspect the wiring and recommend upgrades to improve safety and efficiency.
Unlike type NM or non-metallic sheathed cable, which is ideal for residential electrical wiring applications, type MC wires have aluminum interlocking armor, making them perfect for commercial settings. They can withstand crushing and other damage, as well as abrasion, chemicals, sunlight exposure, and even fire. This makes them an ideal choice for commercial locations that require a lot of activity or movement, such as schools, apartment buildings, and restaurants.
While type MC wiring offers many benefits, it is not the only choice for commercial electrical services. Another popular option is to run the cables through conduit systems. Whether or not this is an appropriate solution depends on the specific project requirements, environmental conditions, and electrical regulations.
Metal clad cable offers an advantage over conduit systems because it eliminates the need for fittings. Its metallic sheath also acts as an effective ground, augmenting the safety of the entire system. In addition, MC power cable is easier to work with than conduit systems, allowing for faster and more efficient installation.
Type MC wiring is also frequently used in aerial applications, including electric trains, trams, and trolleybuses. When combined with steel messenger wires, it offers a safe, reliable way to distribute power. This system prevents sagging and provides best-in-class heat dissipation, ensuring uninterrupted power delivery. It can also be routed in cable trays for easy maintenance and repairs.
Before installing MC wires, it is important to make sure that the installer selects the right size fittings. These must have an adequate throat opening to accommodate the conductor assembly, as well as a clamping range that can secure the MC cable armor. Additionally, the fittings should not have any sharp edges that could damage the insulation on the conductors.
Unlike type EMT or electrical metallic tubing, which is typically used to protect copper cabling in dry locations, type MC wires can be installed in both wet and direct burial applications. They are commonly specified for branch circuit connections between luminaires and power receptacles, as well as distribution feeders to branch circuit panelboards.
For wet or outdoor installations, type MC wires should be separated from 600-volt power cables to prevent noise and cross talk. This can be accomplished by overlashing with steel strands at regular intervals or using UV-rated zip ties to separate the two cables.
Type EMT Wiring
Electrical metallic tubing, commonly referred to as EMT, is an inexpensive, thin-walled option for protecting and routing wiring in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. It offers versatility, affordability, and ease of installation when paired with the right conduit fittings. Unlike other metal conduit options like rigid metal conduit (RMC), it doesn’t require threading and can be bent to a variety of angles to accommodate obstructions and design needs.
For example, the conduit can be curved to go around corners and bends in walls, ceilings, or floors. It can also be secured to walls, ceilings, or frames using straps, hangers, and clamps, which ensure stability while meeting safety codes for critical areas. EMT is typically used to protect electrical wires in areas where there are heavy foot traffic, or for industrial uses such as lighting, security, and machine controls.
When installing EMT, electricians must carefully plan the route to follow, account for required bends, couplings, and connectors, and adhere to all safety codes. This is best done by surveying the site and understanding the physical environment, such as identifying any obstacles, potential challenges, or other factors that may impact the installation.
Once the EMT is installed, it’s important that any loose or damaged parts are repaired to help prevent fire hazards. The conduit should also be regularly inspected to identify any corrosion, physical damage, or other problems that can affect the integrity of the electrical system.
EMT is easily installed with a wide range of standard accessories, including connectors and couplings that attach lengths of the tubing to each other. These are available in a range of sizes, and offer options for set-screw, compression, and push-in styles. Straps and hangers help secure the tubing to walls or ceilings, and clamps offer a quick way to fasten it to frames in overhead installations.
Other tools used for EMT installation include a wrench, screwdrivers, and measuring tape. A conduit reamer is also useful for cleaning out burrs inside the edges of the tubing, which can cause wires to pull through and create safety hazards. Other pre-installation tasks include ensuring the tubing is free of water accumulation and marking the points where bends will occur.
Type II Wiring
Electrical wiring plays a crucial role in the functioning of any building. Whether it’s powering lights and appliances in a home or running heavy machinery for an entire facility, implementing proper safety measures is essential to protect against fires, injuries, and other hazards. While there are a few core similarities between residential and commercial electrical work, each type of construction has its own unique requirements.
Commercial buildings often necessitate complex electrical circuits to support a wide variety of machinery and equipment. This can result in a higher load capacity than what would be required for a residential property. As a result, there are specific code regulations that must be followed to ensure that these circuits aren’t overloaded and that any potential hazards are avoided.
Choosing the correct type of wire for a particular project depends on several factors, including the location, voltage, and amperage rating. In addition, it’s important to follow safe working practices and de-energize any circuits before beginning work on them. It’s also essential to understand how different types of conductors are sized and color-coded so that you can identify them correctly during the installation process.
The main type of electrical wire used in a commercial setting is type EMT or electrical metallic tubing. This is a versatile and inexpensive option for distributing electricity throughout a large building or structure. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with other cables and wiring to create a finished, functional system.
In addition to type EMT, some common commercial electrical installations may require a more durable type of cable. In these cases, type MC or BX cable may be needed. These cables are able to withstand harsh conditions and can be found in underground or exposed locations such as on bridges.
If a more flexible wire is required, it can be achieved by using flexible cords. However, these cords must be properly identified and marked to prevent accidental mishandling and injury. Cords should be marked with their type designation, outer sheath properties, and usage characteristics. They should also be equipped with attachment plugs and must be protected from abrasion by bushings, fittings, or other effective means. Finally, all openings through which cords enter cabinets or boxes shall be effectively closed.
Type III Wiring
When it comes to wiring, cabling and busway systems used in commercial properties there are a few different options to consider. Each method offers different benefits and drawbacks. Electrical engineers and designers often have to balance functionality, future flexibility and first cost when deciding on what specific method to use in a project.
When working with any type of wiring, electrical contractors must also be aware that they may have to comply with specific NEC requirements. These include protection from physical damage, minimum cover for underground installations and securing and supporting wires and cables. They must also adhere to the rules set forth in Article 300, which covers general requirements for wiring methods and materials.
In addition to securing and supporting conductors, they must ensure that the wires are properly labeled for identification and that the circuits are rated for their ampacity. The rules in this section are intended to prevent the installation of overloaded or under-rated equipment or systems. It is also important to know that in some cases, the NEC requires all conductors to be tagged. This will help to protect against potential issues during the life of the installation, especially if a repair or replacement is needed down the road.
The most common and popular choice of wiring material for many projects is Type EMT or electrical metallic tubing. This is a thin-wall tubing that has an aluminum interlocking armor that protects the inner wires. It’s typically used for overhead power distribution in large commercial projects and is a great option for high rise buildings.
Another option is a busway system or duct, which is a metal enclosed raceway with factory-mounted busbars. It is available in a variety of ampere ratings and can be purchased in either feeder style or branch-circuit busway. Compared to multiple conduits for the same ampere rating, busway is more compact in size and can provide greater flexibility for changing load takeoffs.
It’s also possible to use multiconductor cord or cable assemblies with insulated phase, neutral and equipment ground conductors. However, these should only be used in locations that are protected from physical damage and should have an equipment grounding plug. It’s also important to remember that the rules for these types of cord or cable are slightly different from those that apply to other types of wiring.