Specifications

20
Commercial Applications
Commercial applications range from small offices and stores to
larger complexes such as hotels, office buildings, and shopping
malls. These applications differ in the amount of electrical
energy required. Small, single-tenant office buildings, for
example, have very limited power requirements. In such cases,
a single-position meter socket and panelboard may be sufficient
for distributing power.
Multiple-tenant applications, such a small strip mall or
apartment building, usually require multiple utility meters. In
these cases, metering systems or modular meter centers, as
described previously, are often used.
Typically, however, commercial applications have higher
demands for electrical power than single-family residential
applications. Electricity is used in commercial applications
for heating, cooling, and lighting on a much larger scale. In
addition, many commercial applications also operate machinery
such as elevators, escalators, and conveyors.
Busway There are two methods to route power into a building and
distribute power throughout the building. Electrical cable can
be run inside conduit or a busway system can be used. Most
small and medium-sized commercial facilities typically use only
cable and conduit to route power. In large facilities, such as a
multi-story office building, the power distribution system often
incorporates a combination of busway and cable and conduit.