Commercial Electrical Terms
Warehouse Lighting
Last Updated: April 25, 2025Warehouse Lighting: Custom lighting design for large open indoor areas, often using high bay or linear LED fixtures. Must balance energy efficiency, brightness, and coverage. Complies with AS/NZS 1680 lighting standards for workplace safety.
Cable Management System
Last Updated: April 25, 2025Cable Management System: Trays, conduits, and channels that organise and protect cables in commercial spaces. Allows easy maintenance, upgrades, and improves safety. Integral to office fit-outs, data centres, and industrial plants.
Lightning Protection
Last Updated: April 25, 2025Lightning Protection: Systems designed to safely divert lightning strikes to the ground, preventing damage to buildings and electrical systems. Includes air terminals, down conductors, and earth electrodes. Installed according to AS/NZS 1768.
Earthing Grid
Last Updated: April 25, 2025Earthing Grid: A network of buried conductors that provides a low-resistance path to earth. Used in substations and large industrial installations to protect equipment and personnel from fault currents and lightning strikes.
SCADA System
Last Updated: April 25, 2025SCADA System: Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems allow real-time monitoring and control of industrial processes. Used across power distribution, water treatment, and large commercial facilities. Includes sensors, PLCs, and centralised software dashboards.
Variable Speed Drive (VSD)
Last Updated: April 25, 2025Variable Speed Drive (VSD): An electronic device that adjusts motor speed based on demand, improving energy efficiency. Used in HVAC, manufacturing, and pump systems. VSDs reduce wear on equipment and enable better control of processes.
Soft Starter
Last Updated: April 25, 2025Soft Starter: A device used to reduce the initial voltage applied to motors at startup, preventing mechanical stress and electrical surges. Common in HVAC, pumps, and large fans. May be installed in conjunction with overload relays.
MCC (Main Control Cabinet)
Last Updated: April 25, 2025MCC (Main Control Cabinet): A type of panel used in commercial and industrial facilities to house key control and monitoring equipment. Includes metering, load controllers, safety devices, and energy monitoring for whole-building control.
Distribution Board
Last Updated: April 25, 2025Distribution Board: A centralised unit that distributes electrical power across various circuits within a building. Includes breakers, RCDs, and labeling for each circuit. Boards must allow for safe isolation and inspection, and follow AS/NZS 61439-2 standards.
Temporary Site Power
Last Updated: April 25, 2025Temporary Site Power: A temporary electrical setup used to supply power during construction or renovation. Includes switchboards, metering, and protection, and must comply with AS/NZS 3012. Commonly includes weatherproof boards and RCD protection.
Generator Switch Over
Last Updated: April 25, 2025Generator Switch Over: A changeover system that allows a facility to switch power supply from the main grid to a backup generator. Can be manual or automatic (ATS). Ensures continuity during outages and is critical in hospitals, data centres, and high-dependency operations.
Structured Cabling
Last Updated: April 25, 2025Structured Cabling: A system of organised and standardised cabling for data, phone, and building management systems. Facilitates easier upgrades and scalability. Adheres to ISO/IEC 11801 and TIA-568 standards in commercial settings.
Cat6 Cabling
Last Updated: April 25, 2025Cat6 Cabling: A standard for Ethernet cable supporting speeds up to 1 Gbps and higher frequencies (up to 250 MHz). Used in commercial data and voice networks. Cat6 cables offer lower crosstalk and better shielding than Cat5e and must be installed per TIA/EIA standards.
High Bay Lighting
Last Updated: April 25, 2025High Bay Lighting: Industrial-grade lighting installed at heights over 4 metres, commonly used in warehouses, gyms, and factories. LED high bays offer better energy efficiency, reduced maintenance, and improved light spread in large open areas.
PLC (Programmable Logic Controller)
Last Updated: April 25, 2025PLC (Programmable Logic Controller): A digital computer used for automation of industrial processes like conveyor belts, lighting, or HVAC. Configured using ladder logic or structured text. Installed in control panels and integral to modern industrial control systems.
Industrial Control Panel
Last Updated: April 25, 2025Industrial Control Panel: A centralised unit that houses electrical components such as relays, PLCs, contactors, and circuit protection for controlling industrial machinery. Panels must be designed to AS/NZS 61439 and allow for clear labelling and safe maintenance access.
Emergency Exit Lighting
Last Updated: April 25, 2025Emergency Exit Lighting: Mandatory in all commercial buildings, these lights illuminate exit routes during power outages. Must operate for at least 90 minutes and be tested regularly per AS/NZS 2293 standards. Includes battery backup, test switches, and clearly marked signage. Overview Emergency exit lighting provides crucial illumination for emergency exits during power outages or situations...
Load Balancing
Last Updated: April 25, 2025Load Balancing: The process of distributing electrical load evenly across phases in a three-phase system. Ensures efficient operation, prevents overloading, and extends equipment life. Critical for avoiding tripping, equipment failure, or energy waste in commercial installations.
Three Phase Power
Last Updated: April 25, 2025Three Phase Power: A method of AC electrical transmission using three live wires. Common in commercial and industrial applications, it provides consistent power delivery, supports heavy machinery, and allows more efficient use of conductors. Standard voltage in Australia is 400V between phases and 230V phase-to-neutral. Introduction Three phase power is a type of polyphase system...