NAICS 238210

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System organizes U.S. establishments by production process for federal statistical use. Developed by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget with Canada and Mexico, NAICS replaced SIC in 1997 and is currently implemented in its 2022 revision. ¹
NAICS 238210 covers firms primarily engaged in installing and servicing electrical wiring and related equipment. Work may include new construction, additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs, and spans low-voltage and building wiring activities such as alarm systems, telecom/data cabling, lighting, signals, and controls. ¹

What this NAICS covers

• Installation and service of building electrical wiring and equipment for new work, additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs. ¹
• Low-voltage systems: alarm (fire/burglar) installation-only, audio/AV, and home automation systems. ¹
• Interior telecommunications wiring: cable television hookups, computer/network cabling, and telecom equipment/wiring (except transmission lines). ¹
• Lighting systems: building lighting, airport runway lighting, and highway/traffic signal electrical installation. ¹
• Fiber-optic cable work within buildings and cable splicing (electrical or fiber optic). ¹
• Environmental and other control system installation tied to building electrical systems. ¹
• Installation of residential/onsite solar electric panels and related components as classified to electrical contractors. ¹

Related NAICS and PSC codes

• NAICS relations are based on 2022 NAICS Manual cross-references and industry notes. ¹
• PSC descriptors are per GSA’s PSC Manual (April 2025). ²

Small business size standard (SBA)

• For NAICS 238210, SBA’s small business size standard is $19.0 million in average annual receipts (effective March 17, 2023). ³

Boundary guidance (common exclusions)

• Constructing power/communication transmission lines, towers, substations, or utility-scale power plants is classified under NAICS 237130, not building electrical wiring. ¹
• Security system firms that sell and/or monitor alarms are classified in NAICS 561621; installation-only belongs in 238210. ¹
• HVAC sheet-metal ductwork and plumbing/mechanical installation are classified under NAICS 238220. ¹
• Electrical line installation performed by electric utilities is classified within NAICS 2211 (Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution). ¹

Frequently asked questions

• How does NAICS 238210 differ from NAICS 237130?
  238210 covers electrical work within buildings and related low-voltage systems. 237130 covers constructing power and communication lines, towers, substations, and related infrastructure. Transmission and distribution line construction is directed to 237130, not building interior electrical work in 238210. ¹

• Are solar panel installations classified under 238210?
  Yes. The NAICS manual classifies “installing solar panels” to electrical contractors in 238210. This is distinct from roofing work in 238160 and from transmission or line construction in 237130. ¹

• What PSCs commonly map to electrical installation work?
  PSC N061 (installation of electric wire and power distribution equipment) and J061 (maintenance/repair of electric wire and power distribution equipment) are frequently used for facilities electrical installation and sustainment tasks. Agencies select PSCs based on the predominant purpose of the requirement. ²

• What is the small business size standard for 238210?
  SBA’s table sets the size standard at $19.0 million in average annual receipts, effective March 17, 2023. Contracting officers apply the standard assigned to the solicitation’s NAICS code consistent with 13 CFR 121. ³

• Does alarm system work always fall in 238210?
  Installation-only of fire or burglar alarms is in 238210. When the scope includes selling systems and/or monitoring services, NAICS 561621 applies per the NAICS cross-references, rather than 238210. ¹

Useful resources

• G2X — NAICS 238210
• U.S. Census Bureau — 2022 NAICS Manual (industry descriptions and cross-references). ¹
• GSA — Product and Service Codes (PSC) Manual (service and product code definitions). ²
• SBA — Table of Small Business Size Standards (current thresholds by NAICS). ³

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Manual (United States), including industry description for 238210. https://www.census.gov/naics/reference_files_tools/2022_NAICS_Manual.pdf
2. General Services Administration, Product and Service Codes Manual (April 2025). https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
3. U.S. Small Business Administration, Table of Small Business Size Standards — Effective March 17, 2023. https://www.sba.gov/document/support--table-size-standards