Many people tend to mistake an electrical contractor for an electrician. They believe that both terms are the same because of their obvious connection to electricity. However, this is not the case, and, in this article, we’ll learn the difference between the two terms.
What is an Electrical Contractor?
In simple terms, an electrical contractor, or EC as we’ll occasionally refer to it in this article is a business or firm which specializes in a specific typeof electrical work. However, a contractor mayoffer a wide range of services, from the design of electrical systems to installation, and maintenance.
Electrical contractors ensure systems work efficiently and most importantly, in a safe way. In fact, there aren’t so many projects where the services of these professionals aren’t needed. Their specialty in certain areas ofelectrical work gives them an edge over electricians. Hiring these professionals requires little effort as many of them can be found online. For example, people in Abbotsford, B.C., could search electrical contractors in Abbotsford BC on Google to get started.
The following are some of the many services that a contractor may choose to specialize in:
- Solar panel installations
- Water treatment
- Fire alarms
- Process automation
- Generators
Solar Panel Installations
Installation of solar panels can get technical, especially for large projects, and can also be dangerous since it often involves high voltages. These two factors mean that not just anyone can handle this task, making it a perfect fit for contractors since they are highly trained and experienced.
Water Treatment
Water treatment plants are places where the water that is supplied to a city is treated to get rid of any impurities. These plants are often complex, requiring experts that understand the systems. Contractors that specialize in water treatment carryout the following services:
- Monitoring power installations and system panels
- Installation and wiring of chlorination equipment
- Handling of sewage treatment equipment.
Visit https://www.globalspec.com/learnmore/manufacturing_process_equipment/environmental_instruments_equipment/wastewater_treatment_equipment to learn more about sewage treatment equipment.
Fire Alarms
Fire alarms are set up in all kinds of commercial and residential buildings for the purpose of detecting a fire early enough to put it out before it spreads. It require precise connections from the mainboard, all the way to the individual fire detectors installed in strategic positions of a building.
Because of the crucial part that fire alarms play in preventing fires and the need for them to be proficient, contractors take up this role since they are highly trained and skilled. A contractor specializing in this field is usually certified in fire alarm systems by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). Contractorsthat work on fire alarms systems are often referred to as low voltage contractors since these systems require low voltage wiring.
Process automation
In manufacturing and production plants, process automation is crucial for efficiency and workload reduction. ECs specializing in process automation install things like automated conveyor systems, and process control systems. They work to ensure that machines in the plants are well integrated to keep efficiency at peak level. Being an EC in process automation, you’ll work on various projects including:
- Manufacturing plants
- Distribution centers
- Agriculture facilities
- Food production
- Construction
- Chemical plants. Click here to learn more about it.
Electrical Contractors offering Generator Services
Generators are machines that convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. Generators are especially useful during a power outage or in rural areas with no power supply at all as they are reliable sources of power supply.
They come in many different sizes and specifications to meet the use of different users. While the power supply of a generator is fixed depending on its configuration, some can generate enough electricity to power homes, and manufacturing plants.
Generator services are another area of specialization of electrical contractors. They have extensive knowledge of the many different components of a generator and how they work. These components can broadly be classified as:
- Alternator
- Voltage regulator
- Engine
- Main assembly
- Battery charger
- Fuel system
- Exhaust and cooling systems
- Control panel
- Lubrication system
How Are Electrical Contractors Different from Electricians?
An electrician is a trained and licensed professional who specializes in electrical works. Electricians may choose to work for other companies, contractors, or themselves. The most significant difference between an electrician and an electrical contractor is the fact that the former is almost always an individual while the latter is a group of electricians, essentially a business.
Electricians mostly take on smaller projects that can be handled by an individual and may charge lesser fees than an EC.
Conclusion
People in need of generator services may be better off hiring an electrical contractor specializing in the field rather than an electrician because of their deeper understanding of generator and how they work. In fact, it is quite rare to find electricians that can work on generators. It is worth mentioning that while the cost of hiring an EC isn’t overly expensive, it is certainly not cheap and things like the size and complexity of the job to be done may also influence service charge.
