100 amp service #2 Al
30 amp 30 amp double 10 awg copper x2 40 amp 40 amp dble #8 awg
15 amp 15 amp double 12 awg copper x2 30 30 dble 10 awg
15 amp 15 amp dbl 12 awg x2 30 30 dble #10 awg copper
This panel continues with corresponding correct conductor sizes and accompanying breakers.
Loose connections can cause electrical wiring and devices to heat up and cause an electrical fire. Safe and secure electrical connections are important. Properly sized electrical wire and the properly sized circuit breakers connected to the wires are very important. A loose connection can lead to a fire and or electrocution. The panel that I inspected in my apartment was wired correctly. The service conductors and the corresponding conductors and circuit breakers were all wired with with appropriate conductors and breakers.
Thank You Ben and InterNachi
Douglas Sharp
I used the panel located in the basement of a home built in approx.1980. From the appearance of the panel without removing the dead front alllooks to be in serviceable condition. Without removing the dead front it isquite difficult to complete a thorough inspection of the panel. All details andbreaker labels are legible. At this time panel would be considered serviceable withno defects.
I just wanted to discuss the importance of testing all available receptacles. I have had numerous clients request me to verify proper operation of all receptacles and switches. It is more often then not that I find either receptacles or switches that do not work as they should. I know that the internachi SOP cleary states that not all receptacles have to be tested. With experience it is safe to say that “the one receptacle you do not test is the one that does not work”.
The panel did not have enough clearance and was difficult to get to. The panel was not labeled correctly. The panel also did not have all of the mounting screws. After removing the cover, I found no further discrepancies.
AFCI testers might be a bit more expensive than GFCI testers but I still love to use them both. The AFCI testers can also be fitted with an attachment to test your HVAC systems. I like to test the temperature differential within the home as well for the client.
For my inspection I took a look at my neighbor’s back deck. I discovered this picture you see attached. Although the baluster distance, guardrail height, etc appeared to be in fine order, one of the lower guardrails was totally chewed up by his dog, which is a safety issue. Recommended replacing the lower guardrail.
For my article I read “Paying a little extra for an InterNACHI inspector pays off!” I am currently putting together my website and really liked this article because it gives great reasons on how to differentiate ourselves in the market as InterNACHI certified inspectors. It shows the importance of using a InterNACHI inspector over other ones.
I am taking the basic electrical panel inspection course. Prior to this article I took a photo of my service panel with the cover removed. In this case I took s photo of the clamp that grounds everything to the copper water line in the home. As I have learned, this is an effective ground.
Thank you,
John E. Coppock Jr.
For my research and writing assignment I read an article about electrical safety.
I learned about making sure that the right size fuse kr breaker is installed on each branch circuit so they can provide the proper protection when that circuit using use.
Another safety aspect is simply keeping the area around then service panel clear so that maintenance can be performed as needed.
Thank you,
John E. Coppock Jr…
Barn inspection.
be sure to know how much it snows in that area because unsupported spans and structural support can cause the barn roof to collapse. look for damage caused by livestock. look for excessive dust. dust can cause irritation of the eyes and respiratory system of humans and animals. look for non GFCI protected lights and receptacles. exposed electrical wires. and fire hazards.
Electrical essay.pdf (14.4 KB)
AFCIessay.pdf (13.8 KB)
This is an example of a loose wiring connection. This situation occurred during an inspection when one switch on a 6 gang light switch crackled and fizzed when turned on. After an electrician removed the cover the ungrounded conductor terminal screw was found to be loose. There appeared to be no damage to the wire or terminal and after re-tightening it all was well. This was on a property over 30 years old and the screw was backed off so much that it must never been fully tightened initially. Only the tension of the twisted wire had prevented it from arcing.
Aluminum Wiring
Between approximately 1965 and 1973, single-strand aluminum wiring was sometimes substituted for copper branch-circuit wiring in residential electrical systemsdue to the sudden escalating price of copper. After a decade of use by homeowners and electricians, inherent weaknesses were discovered in the metal that lead to its disuse as a branch wiring material. Although properly maintained aluminum wiring is acceptable, aluminum will generally become defective faster than copper due to certain qualities inherent in the metal.
Aluminum possesses certain qualities that, compared with copper, make it an undesirable material as an electrical conductor.
It has a higher electrical resistance, prone to galvanic corrosion and is less ductile leading to fatigue. In addition it has greater thermal expansion and contraction which can eventually lead to loose connections and afire hazard.
Aluminum wires are the*color of aluminum and are easily discernible from copper and other metals and so are easy to identify. Correcting aluminum wiring can be done by any of the following methods.
Rewire the home with copper wire. While this is the most effective method, rewiring is expensive and impractical, in most cases.
Use copalum crimps. The crimp connector repair consists of attaching a piece of copper wire to the existing aluminum wire branch circuit with a specially designed metal sleeve and powered crimping tool. This special connector can be properly installed only with the matching AMP tool. An insulating sleeve is placed around the crimp connector to complete the repair. Although effective, they are expensive (typically around $50 per outlet, switch or light fixture).
Although not recommended by the CPSC as methods of permanent repair for defective aluminum wiring, the following methods may be considered:
application of anti-oxidant paste. This method can be used for wires that are multi-stranded or wires that are too large to be effectively crimped.
pigtailing. This method involves attaching a short piece of copper wire to the aluminum wire with a twist-on connector. the copper wire is connected to the switch, wall outlet or other termination device. This method is only effective if the connections between the aluminum wires and the copper pigtails are extremely reliable. Pigtailing with some types of connectors, even though Underwriters Laboratories might presently list them for the application, can lead to increasing the hazard. Also, beware that pigtailing will increase the number of connections, all of which must be maintained. Aluminum Wiring Repair (AWR), Inc., of Aurora, Colorado, advises that pigtailing can be useful as a temporary repair or in isolated applications, such as the installation of a ceiling fan.
In summary, aluminum wiring can be a fire hazard due to inherent qualities of the metal. Inspectors should be capable of identifying this type of wiring.
I chose to read the article about home inspection equipment. I have always struggled with what is really necessary and what is not. After performing inspections I have quickly learned that it is much better to be prepared for anything than to be unprepared and look unprofessional. I have many tools that don’t get used on every inspection like the gas detector, moisture meter, infrared camera etc… Some tools that do not get used often, still prove to be very useful when the time comes that they are needed. Like any profession I’m sure I’ll still be learning things years from now, but I find it best to be prepared with all the tools necessary every time I show up to a new job. Even if you only have to pull out a few inspection tools, you will still look professional by having them at the ready. This is a simple step that can lead to positive reviews, possible referrals, and a great reputation as a responsible and able inspector.
This a picture of a panel from an inspection performed a few months back. It has multiple issues. There is a double tap at the SEC, the panel is located in a closet, and it’s an old Zinsco panel - which were known for connection issues between components, which in turn caused arcing problems. Recommended the panel be fully evaluated by a licensed electrician, and possible replacement.
I chose the article on "Clothes Closet Lighting " for this portion of the course. I was aware of the fire danger of lighting too close to stored clothing, etc. But, what I found enlightening, was that the old ceramic “keyless” fixtures use for unprotected incandescent lamps, could crack at the base and electrify a metal pull chain. Scary information when I think of how many of those I’ve tugged on- without a second though as to their condition.
The attached image shows the service conductors going into the house, they look ok theres no bare wire showing on the two ungrounded conductors
but there is the eye bolt that`s mounted on the house that holds the service conductors, is bent and coming off the house.
The client needs to contact the Utility company of this problem.
