Different Types of Electrical Contractors
Electrical contractors are companies who specialize in the electrical services, installations, repair, maintenance, and electrical upgrades. Qualified electrical contractor will be experienced, expert and skilled in dealing with all types of electrical services, wirings, and installations big and small, simple and complex and can handle a variety of tasks.
However electrical contractors can be different in many ways including their experiences, expertise, field of work, tasks, educations, etc.
What is an Electrical Contractor? (Different Electrical Contractor)
An electrical Contractor its an electrical company that specializes in electrical installations, wirings, maintenances, and electrical repairs for devices, wirings, equipment’s, machinery, power distribution, transmission, and generation.
Electrical Contractor will do electrical upgrades, installations and electrical maintenances for residential, commercial and industrial facilities as electrical services, wirings, assemble, and test electrical devices, fixtures, control systems, fire alarms, circuit breakers, panels, switchgears, transformers, ceiling fans, fuses, switches, outlets, generators, motors, etc. according to blueprints & manufacturing instructions & technical diagrams.
Electrical Contractors’ major tasks:
- Pull, install, terminate, splice, and connect wires
- Read, interpret, and implement electrical drawings
- Repair, maintain, inspect, and upgrade electrical systems
- Install and repair renewable and sustainable energy systems
- Installing, repairing, and upgrading lights and lighting systems
- Install & repair data, fibre optic, security, and fire alarm systems
- Install, repairing, and upgrade wirings for power, heating, cooling
- Install, repairing, and upgrade wirings for communication systems
- Read and implement manufacturing specifications and instructions
- Install, maintain, and repair electrical generators and power sources
- Cut, thread, bend, and install conduits and other electrical raceways
- Read, understand, and implement local & national safety regulations
- Commission, test, and inspect electrical systems’ safety and integrity
- Inspect, diagnose, repair, and replace electrical systems & equipment
- Install, repair, and electrical upgrade for tools, equipment, and devices
- Inspecting and troubleshooting electrical wirings, devices, and systems
- Conduct preventive electrical inspections, diagnoses, and maintenances
- Electrical upgrades to 100 amps, 200 amps, 300amps, 400 amps and more
- Read and implement national electrical code & local electrical regulations
- Install and maintain power & control panels for power generation systems
- Install and maintain power & control panels for power distribution systems
- Install and maintain power & control panels for power transmission systems
- Install and repair switchgear, breaker, contactor, relay, panel, fuse and more.
At Can Electric as electrical contractor in Edmonton, no job is too small nor too big for our Edmonton electricians. We will serve you with certified electricians and apprentices, who thrive and work to be your trusted commercial and residential electricians.
Different Types of Electrical Contractors as Specialization & Expertise
Automation electrical contractors, control system electrical contractors, power generation electrician electrical contractors, power transmission electrical contractors, power distribution electrical contractors, sustainable and renewable energies electrical contractors, robot electrical contractors, communicational and signalling electrical contractors, fire alarm electrical contractors, inspection electrical contractors, maintenance electrical contractors, service electrical contractors, marine electrical contractors, airplane electrical contractors, industrial electrical contractors, residential electrical contractors, commercial electrical contractors, maintenance electrical contractors, telecommunication electrical contractors, security systems electrical contractors, etc.
Types of Electrical Contractors based on type of Services:
- Construction electrical contractors
- Maintenance electrical contractors
- Service electrical contractors
Construction Electrical Contractors
Construction electrical contractors who mostly focus on new construction and new build, construction electrical contractor will do the complete wiring for new industrial, commercial, and residential electrical wirings and installations. These electrical contractors will do the small electrical jobs link your basement electrical wiring, whole home electrical wiring to bigger electrical jobs like industrial and commercial electrical wiring based on their expertise and work experiences.
These electrical contractors will need to cooperate and work with other contractors like plumbers, HVAC, etc.
Maintenance Electrical Contractors
Maintenance electrical contractors specialize in the electrical repairs, maintenance, and services for industrial, commercial and residential electrical systems. The biggest electrical contractor will service and maintain electrical for all three sectors of industrial, commercial, and residential electrical systems, while smaller electrical contractor might only do commercial and residential electrical repairs or just residential electrical services.
Maintenance electrical contractors will perform periodical electrical inspections and recommend preventative electrical upgrades and maintenances to keep your electrical system safe and at its optimal operation. Maintenance electrical contractors will also perform regular repairs and maintenances on electrical systems to ensure safety, integrity, electrical code compliances and economic viability of electrical system is optimal.
They can be standby, or on-demand call out electrical contractors, who maintain and optimize electrical systems’ safety, efficiency, and operations. Their periodical electrical inspections will identify any system faults and problems that could affect the performance and will recommend what electrical upgrades must be done to keep they system safe and run on its optimal capacity.
The maintenance electrical contractors will work everywhere there is electricity and electrical systems including residential and commercial buildings and industrial facilities. Certified maintenance electricians are widely used in all types of businesses and residences.
Service Electrical Contractors
Service electrical contractors provide residential electrical services, industrial and commercial electrical services. In addition, they provide 24 hours electrical services in case of electrical emergency. Most service electrical contractors will have 24/7 emergency electricians, because electrical emergencies can happen anytime, so providing after hours emergency electrical service is very important.
They will also carry on-demand electrical inspections to identify and repair any faults and problems and possible future electrical issues to ensure that the electrical systems run smoothly and efficiently, especially on commercial and industrial plants, where down times are very costly.
At Can Electric, as service electrical contractors in Edmonton, we are on standby to serve you with certified electricians and apprentices, who thrive and work to be your trusted service electricians.
Types of Electrical Contractors based on Voltage:
- High Voltage Electrical Contractors
- Low Voltage Electrical Contractors
High Voltage Electrical Contractors (Line Electrical Contractors)
High voltage electrical contractors specialize in electrical wirings, installation, and maintenance for high-voltage electrical systems. They will work for power transmission, generations, distribution and utility companies to install and maintain power plants, transmission lines, substations, etc. Line electrical contractors will follow tight safety procedures and protocols and have deep knowledge of grid code and power generation, transmission, and distribution systems.
Low Voltage Electrical Contractors
As you can see from their name the low voltage electrical contractors specialize in the electrical services, installations, and electrical repairs for low voltage electrical systems, such as fire alarms, telecommunications, security systems. Low voltage electrical contractors might also work with regular electricians on smart homes wirings and integrated building systems installations.
Types of Electricians Based on Infrastructures:
- Residential electrical contractors
- Commercial electrical contractors
- Industrial electrical contractors
Residential Electrical Contractors
Residential electrical contractors specialize in the electrical services, installations, and electrical repairs in homes, apartments buildings, multi-family buildings, or any other residential infrastructure. Residential electrical contractors mostly work with homeowners, property managers, realtors, builders, architects, general contractors, etc. to ensure that electrical systems in residential buildings is up-to-code and safe and they will recommend electrical upgrades and modifications to ensure families are safe and their homes and properties are protected.
Their tasks can be divers and will work on variety of projects, including but not limited to, residential electrical services, wiring a new home, residential electrical upgrades, replacing panel, upgrading electrical panels, etc. Most residential electrical contractors will also do smaller residential electrical jobs like installing new lights, installing outlets, installing ceiling fans, installing high ceiling chandelier, changing light fixtures, etc.
Residential Electrical Contractor will carry variety of electrical wirings, installations and services in any residential facilities, and they are expert and well trained on residential electrical wirings, installations and services. Most residential electrical contractors will also provide 247 emergency electrical services to troubleshoot and maintain.
Residential Electrical Contractor main tasks:
- Wiring and installation data systems
- Wiring and installation solar systems
- Wiring and installation power systems
- Wiring and installation lighting systems
- Wiring and installation security systems
- Wiring and installation smart home systems
- Reading and implementing technical blueprints
- Wiring and installations entertainments systems
- Wiring and installations energy management systems
- Wiring and installations smoke and fire alarm systems
- Electrical repairs & diagnosing and fixing electrical issues
- Inspecting electrical systems to ensure they are safe and up to code
- Electrical upgrades (100Am upgrade, 200 Amp upgrade) and more
Residential electrical contractor will also do the followings:
Pot light installation, Electrical panel changes, Electrical panel upgrades, Electrical service upgrades, A/C wiring, pig tailing aluminum wiring, Hot Tub wiring, Fuse box upgrades, and a lot more.
At Can Electric, no job is too small or too big for us as Edmonton residential electrical contractor serving homes with professional and certified electricians and apprentices who thrive and work to be your trusted residential electrical contractor. Contact us today for FREE quote on your residential electrical wiring. As Edmonton residential electrical contractor, you and your family’s safety will be our priority.
Commercial Electrical Contractors
Commercial electrical contractors specialize in the electrical services, installations, and electrical repairs in commercial facilities , such as restaurants, offices, warehouses, medical clinic, retail stores, etc. The commercial electrical contractors usually have different line of work expertise, experiences and even trainings form residential electrical contractors, and their line of work can be more complex than residential electrical contractors.
Commercial electrical contractors will work with developers, builders, architects, property managers, investors, property owners, realtors, general contractors, etc. Commercial electrical contractors’ duties are working in commercial settings which can be complicated projects and have follow high safety procedures.
They will also do inspections and recommend electrical upgrades for commercial electrical systems. The commercial electrical contractors usually must meet tight timelines and work on evenings, weekends, and shift work.
Some Duties of Commercial Electrical Contractors:
- Power and lighting systems installations
- Control systems installations and maintenances
- Machinery wiring, installation, and commissioning
- Safety and efficiency electrical inspections and quality control
- Electrical upgrades, diagnoses, maintenance, and electrical repairs
- Reading, interpreting, and implementing electrical drawings and plans
- Understanding and apply national and local electrical code and regulations
At Can Electric, as commercial electrical contractor in Edmonton, our certified electricians will serve your business with electricians who thrive and work to be your trusted commercial electrical contractor. Contact us today for FREE quote on your commercial electrical wiring.
Industrial Electrical Contractors
Industrial electrical contractors specialize in the electrical services, installations, and electrical repairs in industrial facilities and large projects and provide electrical services in different industries such as oil and gas facilities, refineries, power plants, factories, chemical plants, manufacturing facilities, and other industrial plants.
Industrial electrical contractors will do more complicated and advanced tasks, compared to commercial and residential electrical contractors and they will use softwires as tools to facilitate the work process.
They work on high voltage, complicated control systems, huge machinery, etc. Industrial electricians regularly need to train and update their technical skills and safety knowledge.
Industrial electrical contractors usually work with very high safety procedures and very demanding work environments and do more complex projects, including high-voltage systems.
For instance, industrial electrical contractors are significantly different from commercial and residential electrical inspections, industrial electrical inspections are mostly NDT.
As industrial electrical contractor it is crucial to have deep understanding safety protocols and regularly participate on safety trainings and safety updates. Industrial electricians must regularly attend safety courses and trainings to upgrade and update their abilities and skills to implement safety, protocols, procedures, and instructions to ensure a secure working environment.
Tips for Choosing the Right Electrical Contractor
When you are ready to hire an electrical contractor, choosing the right type of electrical contractor will save you money and time.
- Choose an electrical contractor that is experienced and specialize in your project and the type of electrical work you need to be done.
- Choose residential electrical contractor for residential electrical installations, and same for commercial and industrial installations.
- Ensure the electrical contractors you hire have license, insurance, WCB.
- Check their reviews, references, business accreditations such as BBB.
- Get at least (3) electrical quotes and ensure all the items are included on their written estimate and compare all the quotes to get the best electrical services and best value for your money.
- Ensure the electrical contractor understand and will meet the timelines.
Hiring and expert and experienced electrical contractor will help to complete your electrical project safely and efficiently and with minimum extra and unexpected costs. Contact us today for fair and free electrical quote
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR AND ELECTRICIAN?
Electrician is a tradesman/ tradeswoman, who works on electrical field as carrier and profession, its individuals who conduct electrical services and installations.
While and electrical contractor is a group of tradesman/ tradeswoman (master electricians, electricians, apprentices, etc.) who work for a company which is called electrical contractor. Sometimes a small size electrical contractors can be made of only and electrician, as-long-as they have required licenses, insurance, WCB, bounding required for electrical contractor they can be called electrical contractor even though they are an electrician.
Some provinces and territories only allow the master electrician or companies who hire a master electrician to be electrical contractor and pull the permits for electrical projects, as you know a master electrician has a lot more electrical trainings and experiences than an electrician. Master electricians are highly trained and educated on Canadian electrical code and provinces and territories electrical regulations and they have to updates their training on electrical code book every time the new version of code book is published which enable them to pull the permits.
Electrician vs. Electrical Contractor
Both electricians and electrical contractors work on the field of electrical services installations, and wirings, and if so, it might make you wonder what is the difference between them? Your home, business and industrial sites’ safety and functionality depends on your electrical system so knowing about electrical contractors and electricians and the differences between them will help you to hire what is needed for your electrical services and installations.
An electrician is a tradesman or tradeswoman who carries electrical services and installations, while electrical contractor is a company who dose electrical services and installations as a contractor. This is the main difference between an electrician and electrical contractor, and they are different on types of licenses, insurance, bond, etc.
Electrical Contractor Frequently Asked Questions (Electrical Contractor FAQ)
What locations do you service?
As Electrical contractor we provide electrical services to Edmonton and surrounding areas.
What Does an Electrical Contractor do?
An electrical contractor will install, wire, maintain, upgrade, and troubleshooting electrical systems. Qualified electrical contractor will ensure all electrical installations are according to electrical code while operating in high level of safety and efficiency. Different electrical contractors might carry different tasks for example, new home electrical contractor might only do installations and electrical service for new homes , meanwhile, service electrical contractors will work on serving, maintaining, and upgrading electrical for existing structure and already installed system.
How to start an electrical business in Alberta?
To be an electrical contractor in Alberta and be able to pull the permits you must have an Alberta Master Electrician’s certificate or employ someone who is a master electrician in Alberta. does. For more information on master electricians and electrical contractors check, the Electrical Contractors Association of Alberta (https://www.ecaa.ab.ca) or The Safety Codes Council (www.safetycodes.ab.ca)
Do you have any special offers?
Yes, please check our website for special offers o your electrical services and installations.
How much profit should an electrical company make?
What are the profit margins of electrical contractor it might vary based on their work experience, quality of electrical services and installations and field and complexities of electrical contracting. For example, a commercial electrical contractor will have different profit margins from residential electrical contractor, and an industrial electrical contractor will also have different rates and profit margins from residential electrical contractor.
What is an electrical contractor’s salary and job outlook?
As Canada is heavily industrialized country an the demands and need for electrical contractors will grow fast. Electrical contracting is one of the best paid and cleanest and most in demand trades in Alberta.
Can you help with energy savings?
Yes. Considering current electricity prices , we can assess your lighting and offer you best possible solution to decrease your electricity bill. As commercial electrical contractor in Edmonton we help a lot of commercial and industrial facilities to reduce their electricity bill by lighting upgrade to LEDs.
I require some after hour electrical service, is that something you offer?
Yes. We offer after our electrical services, call us any time for your after hour or emergency electrical services.
Electrical Contractors educational Requirements?
An electrical contractor will include and employee master electricians, journeyman electricians, and apprentice electricians who will generally earn their trade certificates through apprenticeships and technical schools after graduating from high school (or equivalent education). Once an electrician achieves master electrician certificate, s/he chooses to perform as an independent electrical contractor or become an employee of an electrical contracting company. You can find more information about electrical contractors’ education Alis Alberta (alis.alberta.ca)
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes, and yes. We will be happy to provide you if needed.
What are the types of electrical industry?
The electrical industry is divided to four sub-categories: Electricity generation, electricity transmission, electricity distribution, and electricity retailing.
What are the different electrical fields?
Major electrical fields are power generation, power transmission and power distributions.
What is the difference between electrician and electrical contractor? (What is the difference between electrical and the contractor?)
The electrical contractor is a company that employs master electrician, electricians, and apprentices while an electrician is a person who is certified to work on electrical filed.
Skills and abilities required for success as an electrical contractor (Which skills are required to work as an electrician?)
Ability to work with their hands, good vision, fast learner, good communication, detail oriented, highly attentive, physical strength, ability to follow safety procedures, reading and understanding of electrical blueprints, installations instructions, manual, and schematics, administrative and business skills, understanding and implementing electrical code, customer service, professional, etc.
How to become an electrical contractor in Alberta?
To become an electrical contractor in Alberta and be able to obtain electrical permits in Alberta, a contractor must have an Alberta Master Electrician’s certificate or employ a master electrician.
What is the best electrical contractor?
The best electrical contractor will all depend on what you are looking for from an electrical contractor, one electrical contractor may offer the best price, another electrical contractor may offer the best quality of electrical services and installations, and another electrical contractor might be best in meeting timelines, it all depends on what are the main priorities for your electrical project.
How to Renew Electrical Contractor license?
In Alberta to be able to obtain or renew your electrical contractor licenses you must first renew your master electrician license which is required to renew annually. You can get more information on master electrician certificate renewal here (edmonton.ca & safetycodes.ab.ca)
Where Do Maintenance Electricians Work?
They can work everywhere including residential, commercial and industrial buildings.
What are the different types of electrical contractors based on infrastructure?
Industrial, commercial and residential electrical contractors.
Who is the biggest electrical contractor?
The biggest electrical contractor for residential project will be different from commercial and industrial or biggest electrical contractor for electrical services and repairs will be different from new wirings and installations.
What is NDT in inspection?
Its Non-Destructive Testing, which is an inspection for facilities which shutdowns can be very costly special industrial sites.
What are the main types of electrical contractors?
Industrial, commercial and residential electrical contractors.
How much do electrical contractors make?
It can be different based on their experiences, expertise and line of work.
What is the difference between breaker and contractor?
The electrical contractor act as switching device for automatically or manually turning power off and on and a circuit breaker is switching and protective device which will protect your electrical system from overcurrent, overload, short circuits, etc.
What is the highest paying electrical job?
The electrical contractor will pay different electricians different rates based on their expertise, experiences and educations and levels of electrical certifications.
Should an electrician replace a breaker? (Can an electrician replace a breaker?)
Yes, if the breaker doesn’t trip, heating up, make sounds or smells, or any other issues it must be replaced by a certify electrician. In these situations, always call licensed electrician immediately.
Is replacing a circuit breaker a DIY job?
No. replacing a breaker can be dangers and we recommend you call a licensed electrician for breaker replacement.
Should a 50 year old electrical panel be replaced? (Should a 40 year old electrical panel be replaced?)
Yes, replacing electrical panel and upgrading electrical service will enhance your electrical systems safety and add value to your property.
How many electricians are in Canada?
You can check the numbers here; it can be different from year to year
https://www.ibisworld.com/canada/market-research-reports/electricians-industry/#IndustryStatisticsAndTrends
Why should I hire Can Electric?
With Can Electric, are proud to be providing electrical services to Edmonton and surrounding areas with quality and prompt electrical service at an affordable rate with no hidden fees.
