Understanding Industrial Wiring And Installations
Industrial wiring and installations involve the design, implementation and maintenance of electrical systems in industrial settings. This work ensures that electrical equipment operates safely and efficiently and complies with British standards and codes.
It’s crucial work for qualified industrial electricians. It involves the installation and maintenance of the intricate electrical systems and components that power commercial and industrial workspaces.
Industrial settings include manufacturing plants, factories and warehouses. Commercial buildings range from an office or data centre, to a hospital or retail centre for example. It could be a historic building or a slick, new high rise block. As such, the electrical installations within these settings will vary to suit their very specific needs.
Here, we’ll explain this electrical service, outlining the key aspects and considerations for commercial and industrial wiring installations.
An overview of industrial electrical installations
Electrical installations are designed to provide a reliable and safe electrical system for a commercial or industrial facility. It spans all of the electrical equipment, lighting, heating, safety and security systems, and more within the building or setting.
Both commercial and industrial wiring installations are much more complicated and demanding than residential wiring projects. But industrial wiring installations are far bigger and more complex than either commercial or residential wiring projects. The facilities are on a larger scale, as are the electrical equipment and heavy machinery involved.
Key aspects of electrical installations include:
Power distribution
Think of all the electrical equipment and electrical systems with an industrial building. From heating and lighting to machinery and communication networks, commercial buildings’ electrical power requirements are immense. That electrical power generally comes from the utility grid to the main electrical service panel or switchgear. From there, it’s distributed around the building.
Electrical panels and switchgear
Electrical panels or switchgear act as the hub for power distribution within a commercial building. They receive electrical power from a central control panel and distribute it around the building to sub-panels or distribution boards. Within the panels are electrical circuit breakers or fuses for electrical safety (to protect against short circuits or overloads).
This will be the case in both industrial and commercial settings. However, due to the large-scale nature of industrial facilities, the power supply and power distribution systems are on another level. In order to meet the high electrical power demands of heavy machinery and industrial equipment, the systems will be more complex with more control panels, switchgear and transformers for example.
What are the types of commercial and industrial wiring installation?
Each commercial or industrial electrical installation project will have its own intricacies and demands. However, these are the most common requirements.
Lighting systems
In commercial buildings and industrial settings, adequate lighting is crucial. It has a functional purpose which allows people to perform their work safely. Commercial lighting has multiple purposes from general lighting to task lighting, signage and emergency lighting.
Power sources
Deciding where to position the many power sockets required in industrial and commercial settings takes thoughtful design consideration. They serve many purposes to power myriad electrical equipment. They’re required inside and outside, and at different heights for example. They can be wall-mounted, on floors, pillars or even ceilings.
Wiring and cabling
Running electrical wiring and electrical cables throughout a building is a complex process. It’s needed to connect the various electrical systems and devices. To do so, different cables – such as copper or aluminium conductors – need to be installed discreetly within walls, floors and ceilings.
Depending on their purpose, there are different types of wiring. There’s single phase wiring which has two hot wires, a neutral wire, and a ground wire. Three phase wiring comprises three hot wires, a neutral wire, and a ground wire. For electrical safety, they’re surrounded by protective insulation and have earthing systems connecting conductors to the earth.
Heating and cooling (HVAC) systems
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems play an important role in commercial buildings. But the systems will vary hugely depending on the building. Modern buildings have integrated heating and cooling systems. But older, or even historic, buildings will have very different systems. Electrical power’s required regardless of the system and they need to be installed safely and securely.
Safety and security systems
Keeping your workplace and people safe and secure is vitally important too. That could consist of fire safety systems like alarms, smoke detectors, and emergency lighting. Or it may involve building security systems like CCTV, security alarms and access control systems. All of these systems incorporate electrical wiring and components.
Specialised industrial systems
Alongside these various systems for lighting, safety, power distribution, temperature control and communication, industrial settings will have very particular systems for their specific needs. These will be required to monitor and control their industrial processes. That may be for automation purposes, instrumentation signals or to control shutdown for example.
Best practice guidelines for industrial electrical installations
Energy efficiency: increasingly, businesses are looking for cost-effective and energy-efficient electrical systems. Importantly, they still need to be reliable and to meet their specific needs. That could include options such as LED lighting solutions or using renewable energy sources like solar panels.
Electrical safety: There are many ways to minimise electrical hazards and protect against electric shock or fires. That includes grounding systems, surge protection devices, circuit breakers, and proper insulation of conductors. Careful placement and treatment of wiring is also crucial. Cable routing should go via conduits, trunking, or cable trays to protect them from physical damage and tidy them away for safety.
Compliance: The National Electrical Code (NEC) provides specific guidelines for electrical safety. There are also UK rules and regulations to adhere to.
Inspections and maintenance: It’s important to schedule regular inspections to pick up on potential hazards or wear and tear before they cause an incident. Timely troubleshooting and repair work can keep your electrical systems running smoothly. Document records of installations, repairs, and inspections for compliance and future reference.
Emergency protocols: Prepare your staff in the event of an incident with clear emergency procedures.
Put your industrial electrical wiring installations in safe hands
Our electrical contractors are experienced, professional and NICEIC certified. With complex commercial and industrial electrical installations, you need to know that the team is adequately trained and that your premises and people are in safe hands.
We tailor our services to meet the unique needs of each client, whether it’s a commercial building or industrial plant. We provide bespoke solutions, combining our technical expertise and strict compliance with safety standards. Please get in touch to discuss your specific needs.