Erection

Interesting Question! Ya! In earlier days, when heavy and large sized equipment were to be installed, it could not be transported in the vertical position from the storage yard to the site of installation. Hence, they were transported in 'laid down' condition' and then at the site of installation, it was 'erected' from the 'laid down' position to the vertical position. Hence, the act of installation was also called "erection". Please note that it all started with mechanical equipment and the practice continued in electrical field too.

Where I come from we "stand up" a thing which is transported "laid down".

Most, _{but not all}, erections occur after hours.

I frequently hear phrases such as "set the panel", "hang the buss duct", "trim the conductors".

I have also heard the term "erection", speaking of which, after the panel is "erected" and you begin installing conduit systems, you most likely will have to core wall "penetrations"

By the way Lyn, nice snow picture. How many inches (no pun intended) did you get? We received 5" here.

Just off the top of my head, without googling or anything, I would say that things that are installed, can be installed anywhere, including underground.

Things that are erected always go up.

I've never heard of anyone erecting an underground installation.

We typically would just use the word "installation". Where I work, the term erection is typically used when rigging is involved to get thinks like mast poles & transmission line poles, well, erected! So it is used when putting up something vertically, as opposed just placing or assembling something. But I know my friends in the construction industry also refers to erecting a building, but typically only if it is more than one storey high. See also http://www.thefreedictionary.com/erect

After further consideration, I submit that "erection" is never the proper word to use in the context of construction.

"Erecting" has a completely different definition and connotation and would be appropriate for describing some operations performed during a construction project.

That's my opinion.

"Erection and commissioning" is quite commonly used ... please check this irreverant link erection and commissioning

The biggest construction starts with a single brick, to paraphrase a famous saying about a long journey. As it metamorphosises into a skyscraper, are we not "erecting" an edifice?

Anyway, i always thought this was a popular expression in India, but the google link shows it is quite international ?

Anyway, once i asked an Eastern Potentate when was the last time he had an election in his kingdom and was perplexed by his answer ... "Just befole blekfast"

After reading your eloquent defense of the use of "erection" in construction, I withdraw the opinion stated in post #7.

Election, indeed!!!!

I think it originally had to do with specific union trade classifications, especially during the heydays of skyscraper construction and the growth of heavy industry in the US, but has been blurred over time. Erectors were guys that used cranes to put up steel frameworks, riggers were the guys who set up the cranes and other equipment, fabricators were the ones who built the structural components on the ground, millwrights set up machinery and tooling, electricians wired things up, plumbers ran pipes for anything not steam, steamfitters did that, etc. etc. etc.