Owning a commercial property in Australia is considered to be a lucrative and sustainable source of income. Along with all the positives, there are also a range of responsibilities to consider. This includes everything from keeping the lights on to managing tenants and maintaining machinery.
Many of these responsibilities come with a hefty price tag, which can be daunting for first-time property owners. This often leads to cutting corners and taking shortcuts to do crucial lighting and plumbing repairs. Experts recommend using the commercial electrician Melbourne residents trust. This post takes a closer look at why using a professional is always best practice for every commercial business.
Use the Right Professional for the Job
If you’re getting ready to invest in your first commercial business, the golden rule to follow is always to use the right contractor for each specific job. This includes using a certified commercial electrician for all your electrical work. Here you want to keep in mind that commercial electrical systems are vastly different from residential setups.
Electrical systems carry higher voltages, deal with complex three-phase power supplies, and are subject to stringent legal frameworks. Hiring a fully qualified, licensed commercial electrician isn’t just a best-practice recommendation for your business—it is a legal and financial necessity. Our team have compiled a list of the top reasons why your commercial property needs a professional commercial electrician.
Ensures Compliance With Strict Australian Regulations
The number one reason to always use a professional electrician is that all electrical work in Australia is regulated. This means that all installations and repairs must strictly adhere to the AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules, along with various state-specific electrical safety regulations.
In addition to this, commercial properties must also maintain compliance under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act.
A commercial electrician is specifically trained to navigate these complex regulatory frameworks. They understand the exact requirements for:
- Residual Current Devices (RCDs): This involves testing and maintaining safety switches to prevent electric shock.
- Test and tagging: Performing inspections and ensuring that all portable electrical equipment complies with the regulations listed in AS/NZS 3760.
- Emergency and exit lighting: Installing and testing backup systems to ensure they meet mandatory six-monthly compliance checks for safe building evacuations.
Hiring a professional means you’ll be dealing with an expert who not only fixes the problem, but also provides you with a Certificate of Electrical Safety (COES) or a Certificate of Compliance. This document is your legal proof that the work meets national standards and will usually be required by your insurance company before issuing a policy.
Experts at Working With High-Volume, Complex Power Systems
A common mistake new property owners often make is assuming that residential and commercial wiring is the same. Here you’ll want to keep in mind that residential wiring is usually relatively straightforward as it involves single-phase power.
Commercial buildings, on the other hand, demand considerably more power as they need to handle extensive lighting setups, heavy industrial machinery, large HVAC units, and server rooms. To successfully and safely achieve this, buildings run on sophisticated three-phase power systems and complex switchboards.
Fortunately, commercial electricians are trained to use specialised diagnostic tools to manage high-capacity commercial systems. Advanced techniques such as thermal imaging can be done to scan switchboards for hidden hotspots and potential issues.
Professional electricians will also be able to do the following:
- Systematically isolate faults
- Execute rapid repairs
- Perform installations with minimal disruption to your daily operations
- Check your systems to ensure that current regulations are being met
Professionals Ensure Energy Efficiency and Future Proofing
Another top reason to always use a professional electrician is that the role of a modern commercial electrician extends far beyond fixing broken power points. In addition to repairs and installations, they also strive to help you reduce your electrical overheads.
This is especially important when you’re dealing with ageing electrical infrastructure. A commercial electrician will audit your existing electrical systems and usage and recommend energy-efficient, smart upgrades that are designed to save you money in the long run. This typically includes the following:
- Transitioning large facilities to intelligent LED lighting control systems that work sustainably indoors and outdoors
- Upgrading outdated switchboards to handle modern power demands
- Installing Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs) to protect older properties from modern electrical stresses
- Integrating renewable energy links or electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure
These proactive upgrades not only lower your monthly utility bills but also improve the longevity and asset value of your commercial property.
Final Thoughts
When dealing with commercial infrastructure, the go-to option for your repairs and installations should always be to enlist the services of a professional electrician. Attempting DIY electrical repairs is not only illegal, but also puts your property at risk.
In addition to this, you could be compromising workplace safety regulations and end up facing extensive legal fines. Opting to use a professional commercial electrician will give you peace of mind that your building’s electrical components are functioning correctly and safely!
