While most people think of electricians focusing solely on power distribution, wiring and electrical equipment, our skill sets and expertise extend far beyond that narrow view – especially in today’s world of convergence between electrical and low-voltage communications systems. As electricians working in the Adelaide metro area over the past 20 years, we’ve played an integral role in the region’s telecommunications infrastructure buildout to support high-speed internet, voice/data networks, wireless/cellular and other vital digital communications services.
At the most basic level, electricians are instrumental in establishing the backbone telecommunications infrastructure by:
- Installing electrical services to power telecom equipment hubs, shelters and facilities
- Integrating backup energy systems like generators and battery backup units
- Implementing proper grounding, bonding and electrical protection
- Providing power distribution, circuit breakers and electrical safety controls
- Accommodating HVAC electrical connections for environmental systems
Beyond just the electrical power component, we electricians also get involved with the actual communications cabling and equipment deployment, especially on larger multi-dwelling and commercial/industrial projects.
Structured cabling
One of our primary telecommunications roles is installing and terminating the miles of data/voice copper and fibre optic cabling that serves as the physical transmission medium.
This involves:
- Pulling cable through raceways, conduits and pathways designed by architects/engineers
- Terminating and testing cable runs to standards like ANSI/TIA 568
- Installing cable trays, faceplates, patch panels and cross-connects
- Grounding/bonding all cabling elements per TMGB/TGB requirements
- Fusion splicing and enclosing fibre optic cables between runs
As trained and certified cabling specialists, electricians ensure pristine end-to-end connectivity between telecom demarc points and outlets/devices throughout a property.
Network equipment installations
We also frequently assist telecom providers with the deployment and integration of network hardware like:
- Installing equipment racks, cabinets and cable runways
- Establishing building entrance terminals and wiring distribution frames
- Terminating cables to routers, switches, servers and other active equipment
- Accommodating backup power requirements and circuits
- Structured cabling and cross-connecting for switches and service providers
For wireless/cellular infrastructure, electricians handle the electrical service, grounding, distribution and cabling integration for radio/antenna installations on rooftops and towers.
5G and next-generation preparations
As Adelaide prepares for 5G and other advanced wireless/wireline telecom technologies, our roles are evolving to:
- Install high-density underground conduit banks with segregated pathways
- Deploy distributed antenna system (DAS) cabling and powering components
- Accommodate multi-carrier/multi-operator shared infrastructure models
- Integrate backup power systems with stringent reliability requirements
- Establish dedicated secure spaces for sensitive equipment hosting
Proper design coordination, separation and installation practices are essential for certifying these future-proof multi-technology systems.
Data centre build outs
For data centre projects supporting cloud computing, content providers and enterprise needs, electricians are absolutely crucial for the power distribution, redundancy and cooling requirements they demand, such as:
- Establishing high-capacity dedicated electrical services and redundant substations
- Integrating UPS battery backup, generators and redundant power paths
- Installing comprehensive environmental monitoring and control systems
- Carrying out immense data cabling, cross-connect and patching scopes
- Accommodating liquid cooling electrical connections like CDUs
We collaborate with data centre infrastructure specialists to ensure these digital utility facilities have the robust electrical foundations and communications cabling to operate continuously.
Conclusion
From residential multi-dwelling units and 5G small cells to hyperscale data centres and high-rise intelligent buildings, electricians now bridge the gap enabling telecommunications technologies to thrive across Adelaide through comprehensive electrical and low-voltage systems integration. It’s a dynamic field that both energises and connects our region to the digital present and future.
