Picking from one of the many types of electricians out there is just a simple question: What do you need to get done and where?
An electrician who isn’t experienced in the kind of work you require might not be aware of certain safety standards. This could leave your property or asset vulnerable to electrical faults or worse, deadly shocks.
Different types of electricians have different specialised skills. A commercial electrician may not be the best choice for fixing your appliance. Similarly, an industrial electrician might not be the right fit for rewiring a home. Finding the right expert ensures the job is done correctly and safely, saving you time, money, and a lot of potential trouble.
In this article, we will talk about the 6 types of electricians in Australia. We will also look at which one to call when you have an electrical need.
So let’s dive straight in.
1. Residential Electricians
Residential electricians specialise in working with the electrical systems inside homes and other residential buildings. They install, maintain, and fix electrical parts like wiring, outlets, circuit breakers, and lights. Their main goal is to ensure that the electrical systems in homes are safe, reliable, and meet the needs of the homeowners.
Common Services
- Home Rewiring: Updating old wiring or installing wiring for new parts of the house to make sure the home’s electrical infrastructure is safe and reliable.
- Installation of Lighting and Fans: Installing energy-efficient lights and ceiling fans to improve the look and usefulness of spaces.
- Troubleshooting Home Electrical Issues: Diagnosing and fixing electrical issues like flickering lights or sudden power outages to keep homes running smoothly.
- Electrical System Upgrades: Upgrading electrical panels, circuits, and wiring to handle the power needs of today’s households.
When to Call a Residential Electrician:
- New Home Construction: To make sure all electrical systems in a new home meet safety standards and can handle modern energy needs.
- Renovations: When remodeling a kitchen, bathroom, or any other space that needs changes to the electrical system.
- Electrical Safety Inspections: To identify potential hazards before buying or selling a home, or just for peace of mind.
- Upgrading Outdated Systems: Homes with old wiring or inadequate electrical panels need upgrades to safely handle modern appliances.
- Installing New Fixtures or Appliances: A residential electrician can ensure new ceiling fans, lights, or large appliances are properly installed.
2. Commercial Electricians
Commercial electricians work with electrical systems in offices, retail stores, and warehouses. Their work is more complex than what you’d find in homes because businesses need more power. They install, maintain, and fix electrical systems to help businesses run safely and efficiently.
Common Services:
Electrical Installations for Commercial Buildings: Installing new wiring, outlets, lighting, and power distribution to fit business needs.
Maintenance of Complex Electrical Systems: Regular maintenance to prevent power outages and keep systems running smoothly.
Electrical Safety Checks for Businesses: Inspect systems to find potential safety problems and ensure they meet electrical codes.
Installing and Repairing Emergency Lighting Systems: Setting up and fixing emergency lights to ensure safety during power outages or emergencies.
When to Call a Commercial Electrician:
Office Fit-Outs: Installing electrical systems for new or renovated office spaces.
Retail Store Electrical Setup: Setting up lighting, outlets, and power distribution in retail stores.
Maintenance for Commercial Properties: Regularly servicing electrical systems to keep them in good shape and prevent unexpected problems.
Upgrading Electrical Systems: Updating an electrical system to handle new equipment or more power.
Emergency Repairs: Quickly fixing electrical issues that disrupt business operations.
3. Industrial Electricians
Industrial electricians work with electrical systems in factories and plants. They handle high-voltage systems to make sure machinery works safely. They know how to deal with complex setups, including large machinery and automation.
Common Services:
Installation and Maintenance of Heavy Machinery: Setting up and maintaining large machines used in factories.
Troubleshooting Industrial Electrical Systems: Finding and fixing problems in the electrical systems to avoid downtime.
Automation System Setup and Repair: Installing and maintaining automated systems to help factories run smoothly.
Electrical Infrastructure Maintenance in Factories: Regularly checking and repairing the electrical systems to prevent issues.
When to Call an Industrial Electrician:
Factory Setup: To set up the factory’s electrical system to handle all the machines.
Large-Scale Machinery Installation: For setting up new machines that need special electrical connections.
Automation Projects: To install and maintain automated systems that improve production.
Electrical System Upgrades: To update old electrical systems to handle new technology or more power.
Emergency Repairs: For urgent electrical issues that could cause delays or safety problems.
4. Emergency Electricians
Emergency electricians are available 24/7 to handle urgent electrical issues. They are trained to quickly assess the problem and provide immediate solutions to prevent further damage or danger. Whether it’s a power outage or an electrical fire, they aim to restore safety and get things back to normal as soon as possible.
Common Services:
Urgent Electrical Repairs: Fixing major electrical problems like exposed wires or circuits that short out.
Fixing Power Outages and Electrical Hazards: Bringing back power after an outage and removing hazards that can cause fires or shocks.
Quick Electrical Troubleshooting: Finding and fixing problems fast to get things working again.
Temporary Electrical Solutions: Offering quick fixes to keep systems running safely until they can be permanently repaired.
When to Call an Emergency Electrician:
Sudden Power Outages: When power goes out suddenly and needs to be restored quickly.
Electrical Fires: After an electrical fire to handle the damage and prevent more issues.
Any Urgent Electrical Failures: If you see sparking outlets, smell burning, or face any other serious electrical problems that can’t wait.
5. Appliance Electricians
Appliance electricians specialise in working with household and commercial appliances. They focus on installing, maintaining, and fixing appliances to make sure they work well and safely. They understand how different appliances work, which helps them deal with various models and brands.
Common Services:
Appliance Installation and Setup: Installing new appliances so they work safely and efficiently.
Diagnosing and Repairing Faulty Appliances: Finding and fixing appliances that aren’t working properly.
Upgrading Electrical Circuits for High-Power Appliances: Updating circuits to handle the higher power needs of appliances like stoves and air conditioners.
Providing Suggestions for Appliance Energy Efficiency: Giving advice on how to make appliances more energy-efficient to save on power bills.
When to Call an Appliance Electrician
Installing New Appliances: To make sure new appliances are installed correctly and safely.
Troubleshooting Non-Functional Devices: When an appliance suddenly stops working or has problems.
Improving Appliance Efficiency: To upgrade wiring and circuits so appliances run better and use less energy.
6. Level 2 Electricians
Level 2 electricians are trained to do more advanced electrical work than regular electricians. They are authorised to work on power lines that connect the main electricity network to homes and businesses. They often work directly with energy companies. They have special training and certification to perform this type of work safely.
Common Services:
- Connecting and Disconnecting Power Supply: Connecting new properties to the main electricity network or disconnecting them when needed.
- Upgrading Electrical Services: Upgrading electrical systems to handle more power, including switching to three-phase power.
- Repairing Overhead and Underground Cables: Fixing damaged power lines to restore electricity to homes or businesses.
- Installing and Repairing Electrical Meters: Setting up new meters and ensuring existing meters work properly for accurate billing.
When to Call a Level 2 Electrician:
- New Power Connections: When a property needs to be connected to the electricity network for the first time.
- Service Upgrades: Upgrading the power supply to support more electrical use or to switch to a three-phase system.
- Power Line Damage: If overhead or underground power lines have been damaged and need repair.
- Metering Issues: Installing a new meter or fixing problems with existing meters.
Wrapping up
We’ve talked about many types of electricians, each having a specific area of expertise. Whether it’s fixing home wiring, maintaining commercial systems, or managing complex factory setups, every electrician has a certain role to play.
When choosing an electrician, it’s crucial to find one whose skills align with your needs. Nonetheless, for any electrical issues, always hire a professional to keep your property safe and compliant with regulations.
At MJE, we are fully licensed and insured electricians. We have over 20 years of experience in residential, commercial, and industrial electrical work. We can handle installations, repairs, and maintenance of all kinds.
Get in touch with us today for a quote or Call us at 03 4333 9117.
