Being an electrician is more than installing wire or drilling nuts, screws, and bolts. Although an essential part of day-to-day work, the modern-day electrician must also be in the know of the new and ever-evolving industry of smart electrical systems.
Explore the essential smart electrical systems that every electrician should know and learn to navigate the growing world of smart electrical infrastructure.
What are smart electrical systems?
Smart electrical systems are cutting-edge, digital power distribution networks that provide real-time management and remote control of circuits. These systems enable the regulation of energy consumption levels, maintain battery storage, and enhance safety.
Some increasingly common installed devices that fall under this category are smart electrical panels or load centers, IoT and home automation systems, energy management systems, and EV charging stations.
Why are electricians installing more smart electrical systems today?
As the demand for smart homes and commercial buildings increases, particularly with the recent update to sustainable building standards, electricians are required to gain more knowledge of installing smart electrical systems.
According to the IoT analyst firm Berg Insight, 94 percent of all electrical meters in North America will be “smart” by 2029. Electricians can navigate this growth by staying up to date on technological advances of the devices mentioned earlier and the brands that carry them.
The ultimate goal of a smart electrical system is to support the operation of sustainable, eco-friendly homes and commercial facilities to reduce the carbon footprint and save energy.
What electrical components and infrastructure support smart electrical systems?
Smart electrical systems are mainly supported by integrated software and smart grid infrastructure. When installing smart electrical systems, they often come with downloadable apps and tech portals to provide resources for electricians on how to install, service, and maintain the devices.
Those devices are able to communicate with other applications through a smart grid infrastructure. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), smart grids coordinate the needs and capabilities of all generators, grid operators, end users, and electricity market stakeholders to operate all parts of the system as efficiently as possible, minimizing costs and environmental impacts while maximizing system reliability, resilience, flexibility, and stability.
Source: codibly.com
This allows devices within the smart electrical system to sync with one another to manage the energy loads of EV chargers, electrical meters, and other energy sources across a widespread area.
How CES can help
Visit your local CES branch or visit cityelectricsupply.com to stock up on the latest smart electrical system devices and more!
Last updated on April 22, 2026