Post on 15-Dec-2015
Inspection Includes:Inspection Includes:
Service entrance & masthead Service entrance & masthead Main panel and subpanels (if any)Main panel and subpanels (if any) Branch circuit wiringBranch circuit wiring Junction boxes, outlets & fixturesJunction boxes, outlets & fixtures
National Electric CodeNational Electric Code
Governs all electrical installations for Governs all electrical installations for both commercial and residentialboth commercial and residential
NEC does NOT require updating to NEC does NOT require updating to older homes with new code revisionsolder homes with new code revisions
The MOST important aspect of the The MOST important aspect of the electrical inspection is to be on alert electrical inspection is to be on alert for SAFETY HAZARDSfor SAFETY HAZARDS
Required to InspectRequired to Inspect Service entranceService entrance
Main distribution panelMain distribution panel
Branch circuit wiringBranch circuit wiring
GFCIs within 6 ft of interior plumbing fixturesGFCIs within 6 ft of interior plumbing fixtures
Polarity & grounding of representative number of Polarity & grounding of representative number of interior receptacles and ALL carport receptaclesinterior receptacles and ALL carport receptacles
Not Required to InspectNot Required to Inspect Low voltage systemsLow voltage systems Telephone, security, cable TV, intercoms or other Telephone, security, cable TV, intercoms or other
ancillary wiringancillary wiring
DO NOT:DO NOT:
Insert tool, probe or testing device inside panelInsert tool, probe or testing device inside panel Test or operate overcurrent devices except GFCIsTest or operate overcurrent devices except GFCIs Dismantle any electrical device or control other Dismantle any electrical device or control other
than to remove main panel coverthan to remove main panel cover
Inspecting Service EntranceInspecting Service Entrance Service entrance Service entrance
• Overhead or undergroundOverhead or underground• Secure attachment to houseSecure attachment to house• Copper, aluminum, or copper-clad aluminumCopper, aluminum, or copper-clad aluminum• Amperage 60A (round meter base), 100A (square meter base), Amperage 60A (round meter base), 100A (square meter base),
or 200A (rectangular meter base)or 200A (rectangular meter base)
• By today's standards, 100-amp service is considered By today's standards, 100-amp service is considered minimal serviceminimal service..
Typical Service Entrance WiringTypical Service Entrance Wiring
Typical Service Entrance Cables
Wire Size Amperage Rating Width
#4/0 200 Amps Aluminum 1 7/16 inches
#2/0150 Amps Aluminum
(AL)200 Amps Copper (CU) 1 5/16 inches
#2 100 Amps Aluminum
125 Amps Copper1 5/16inches
#4 100 Amps Copper 3/4 inch
#6 60 Amps Aluminum 3/4 inch
Service Drop & MastheadService Drop & Masthead
If service comes in below roof level, it If service comes in below roof level, it must be at least 3’ from windowsmust be at least 3’ from windows
If service comes in above roof level, If service comes in above roof level, it must be at least 3’ above roofit must be at least 3’ above roof
Service wires must:Service wires must:• Be 12’ above drivewaysBe 12’ above driveways• At least 10’ above groundAt least 10’ above ground• At least 8’ above a flat roof & 18” above At least 8’ above a flat roof & 18” above
roof ridgesroof ridges
Voltage RatingVoltage Rating Service drops:Service drops:
• Number of wires going to masthead Number of wires going to masthead indicates voltageindicates voltage
• Three wires with one tied back & two Three wires with one tied back & two entering = 120 Ventering = 120 V
• Three wires entering = 240VThree wires entering = 240V
Service PanelService Panel Check box for heat.Check box for heat.
Don’t open of warm..cause for immediate concern.Don’t open of warm..cause for immediate concern.
If OK remove cover:If OK remove cover:
Inspect for any “tapping before the main” …SAFETY Inspect for any “tapping before the main” …SAFETY HAZARDHAZARD
If no main disconnect, must be able to power down in six If no main disconnect, must be able to power down in six hand movementshand movements
Inspect for properly sized wires to properly sized breakers Inspect for properly sized wires to properly sized breakers or fusesor fuses
Wiring to Branch Circuits & Wiring to Branch Circuits & BreakersBreakers
AWG# COPPER COPPERCLAD AL OR ALUMINUM 18 Typically lampcord wiring and low voltage applications
16 Typically lampcord wiring and low voltage applications
14 15 Amps
12 20 Amps 15 Amps
10 30 Amps 20 Amps
8 50 Amps 30 Amps
6 65 Amps 50 Amps
4 100 Amps 70 Amps
3 110 Amps 80 Amps
2 125 Amps 100 Amps
1 150 Amps 110 Amps
1/0 175 Amps 125 Amps
2/0 200 Amps 150 Amps
3/0 175 Amps
4/0 200 Amps
Service Panel Inspection OverviewService Panel Inspection Overview
Look for signs of corrosion outside Look for signs of corrosion outside and at interior connectionsand at interior connections
Look for circuit breakers that have Look for circuit breakers that have more than one conductor attachedmore than one conductor attached• (Double or triple tapping is normally (Double or triple tapping is normally
prohibited)prohibited)
Service Panel InspectionService Panel Inspection
Check for loose or unattached Check for loose or unattached conductorsconductors
Check wires for signs of arcing, Check wires for signs of arcing, charred metal or burnt wire charred metal or burnt wire insulationinsulation
Evaluate cables entering box for Evaluate cables entering box for proper protection and fasteningproper protection and fastening
Main Service Panel InspectionMain Service Panel Inspection
Report wires smaller than #8 (fire Report wires smaller than #8 (fire hazard)hazard)
Clearance around panel should be:Clearance around panel should be:• 6-6” headroom6-6” headroom• 30” all around 30” all around • 36” clear in front36” clear in front
Grounding ConductorGrounding Conductor
Grounding releases unwanted electricity to Grounding releases unwanted electricity to “ground” (earth)“ground” (earth)
Ground wire must come from the neutral Ground wire must come from the neutral to the plumbing system or to a steel rod to the plumbing system or to a steel rod driven into earth. (Both reqd since 1987)driven into earth. (Both reqd since 1987)
Check for continuity of plumbing and Check for continuity of plumbing and dielectric connectors!dielectric connectors!
Common Defects To Report: Common Defects To Report: Recommend an Electrician Be CalledRecommend an Electrician Be Called
Double tapped circuitsDouble tapped circuits Broken or cracked fixtures or outletsBroken or cracked fixtures or outlets Melted insulationMelted insulation Handyman wiringHandyman wiring Loose ceiling fansLoose ceiling fans Permanently installed extension cords & Permanently installed extension cords &
temporary wiringtemporary wiring Missing or inoperable GFCIsMissing or inoperable GFCIs Oversized breakers & fusesOversized breakers & fuses
Safety Hazards: Report & Safety Hazards: Report & Recommend An Electrician Be CalledRecommend An Electrician Be Called
Masthead within reach of occupantsMasthead within reach of occupants Frayed entrance cableFrayed entrance cable Tapping before mainTapping before main Oversized fuses or breakersOversized fuses or breakers System not groundedSystem not grounded More than 6 hand movements to More than 6 hand movements to
power downpower down