I read the article on AFCI testers. I always use a GFCI tester plug at every home, but I do not have an arc fault protector. In my opinion, this is somewhat “overkill” as for as a general home inspection goes. If the client requested an arc fault test, I would go buy one, but I’ve never been confronted with this. I generally check voltage and all GFCI receptacles and that’s it.
To protect people ground fault circuit interrupters protections should be installef in all bathroom with 120 volt, single phase 15 and 20 ampere receptacles. It should be located with in 6 feet of the outside edge of sink , bath tub or shower
Proper screws for Service Panels: I come across missing panel screws or improper screw in panels weekly. First wear appropriate safety clothing, such as electrical gloves, eye wear, no nylon or polyester clothing. Check to ensure service panel is not energized by appropriately checking for stray voltage. Screws should be flat ended and appropriate for manufacturers panel. However, I do carry extra’s which work on most panels.
Electrical Testers: I use a GFCI tester which works great testing for various problems with wiring associated with outlets. What I will start doing, which is not required by InterNACHI is Voltage Drops with a tester having more functionality. I believe this is something clients should know as our electrical needs due to technology in households keep increasing.
I’m writing my essay on GFCI protected outlets. This particular GFCI outlet trips as it should when it is tested. GFCI outlets are required in several locations around a house. The kitchen should have at least two GFCI protected circuits, all bathrooms, garages, outside outlets, crawl spaces, unfinished basements and any other location exposed to dampness.
AFCI stands for arch-fault circuit interrupters. Circuits can be protected either by AFCI outlets or by switched breakers in a service panel. The test button on a AFCI tester is used to test the protected circuit as a whole system and is very reliable. A AFCI indicator is used to test individual receptacles and is not always 100% accurate.
The breaker in the photo is double tapped, which means that there are two hot wires attached to a single breaker that was not designed (General Electric) for two connections. This can cause a loose connection and associated problems to include intermittent power transmission on each circuit and even arcing of the loose wires, which can lead to a fire.
I read the article on AFCI testers. Aside from not knowing that they exist, I am surprised on how expensive they are. It’s good to know that they are available, but my concern would be in testing them that I would have to spend the time to find the AFCI circuit that is connected to the main panel before testing it, which could take considerable time. I think I would be better off testing it from the AFCI breakers in the panel and then only if I were convinced that I wouldn’t be causing the homeowner some problems.
For my writing assignment I have researched how to sell home inspections to real estate agents. An important task to complete with potential agents is simple, spend time and build a relationship with them. A few other note worthy actions to take to build your business on this end are to leave a presentation kit not only in the office with the realtor but to leave a kit in the lobby and with other surrounding business that have walk in traffic.
Aluminum wiring will degrade faster than the more popular copper wiring. Poor connections can cause aluminum wiring to overheat causing a fire hazard. Insurance companies may deny coverage if even a single strand of aluminum wiring is found and an inspector should note the use of any found as a branch circuit in an inspection. Aluminum wiring possesses qualities that make it undesirable as a conductor:
1)Higher electrical resistance
2)Less Ductile, fatigues and breaks down
3)Galvanic corrosion when moisture is present
4)Oxidation, deterioration of the outside layer
5)Greater malleability, can be deformed in pressure
6)Larger thermal expansion and contraction
7)Excessive vibration
I have opened and inspected the breaker unit/box in the house and have found no signs of arching or any significant material defects of any kind. The breakers have been properly labeled and the cover plate is properly and securely held in place, no further inspection seems to be needed although a loose piece of paper near the bottom of the containment unit could be removed to ensure safety from a fire hazard.
Here is an inspection done in Baton Rouge. There was a problem with the panel closest to meter feeding a sub panel. The wire feeding the sub panel was an under sized aluminum wire. The house was under renovation and there were no legends.
THIS IS NOT THE PHOTO I SUBMITTED, here is the photo/Users/garethwarren/Desktop/interNACHI/NACHIphotos/thumb_DSC00250_1024.jpg
When speaking about GFCI and AFCI, I am still not understanding, if these are breakers, where the neutral wires are to be placed? Are they connected to neutral bus bar or bonded to each other? I will go back and get the answer.
The electrical photo titled “Maximum Distance to Receptacle”, seems to be showing that all portable lamps must not exceed a chord distance length of 6’ feet along the ground/flooring, which greatly reduces the risk of fire from transference of heat to it.
Prise de courant de la salle de bain
Dans cette salle de bain, la prise de courant situer proche du lavabo a t peinturer ce qui peut empcher les boutobs reset et test de fonctionner adquatement. De plus il manque une vis en hait sur la plaque de la prise.
Les pluies acides
L’impact des pluies acides son flagrante sur certaine batisse, monument, status et pierre tombale en calcaire ou en marbre. Les pluies peuvent aussi corroder le bronze, le nickel, le zinc, le cuivre et l’acier au carbonne. Les nouveaux btiments gnralement fait de granite ou de compos de mineraux sillicate rsiste rsiste bien au pluies acides.
I would like to discuss the use of AFCI in homes as a requirement. In Michigan the use of AFCI has been removed from the 2015 MRC as politicians felt it was not justifiable from a cost standpoint to add the need for AFCI. I’m at a loss as to why politics are even a consideration when it comes to safety. It is a proven fact that a faulty system can produce an arc that can kill or seriously cause damage in the home due to potential fire. The argument from the Michigan politicians is that they have not seen the data to justify the additional expense for adding AFCI in the homes. I guess here in Michigan our politicians are smarter than the rest of the country and NEC/IBC/CPSC combined. Or perhaps the Michigan politicians are to close to Realtor and Builder Associations in this state.
I’m commenting on the article found https://www.nachi.org/codecertifiedwarning.htm. Although I agree with an inspector not saying he is a code inspector as that implies he has warranted the house to meet all local codes. As Home Inspectors we do not dedicate the time required to perform such a task. On the otherside of the equation though we identify defects and to determine what is a defect we use code as our guide to determine if there is a defect or not. A Good Inspector must understand code in order for them to be able to identify defects. I find that there is not enough focus on training home inspectors on code related requirements.
I read the articles on AFCI’s and AFCI Testers (Indicators)
AFCI’s are designed to sense a dangerous arc in the wiring and respond quickly by opening the circuit. They do this by detecting changes in the wave pattern of electricity, that are characteristic of a dangerous arc, at the same time, also distinguishing from a normal arc of turning on a switch or pulling a plug.
The AFCI Indicator simulates the wave pattern of an arc, to “trick” the AFCI into thinking there is a dangerous arc. Therefore, AFCI Indicators alone may not be completely reliable.
Even though the AFCI Indicator may give a false reading that the AFCI is not properly functioning - the test button on the the AFCI can confirm because it creates a true arc.
Since the test button cannot test for arc faults within the individual portions of the circuit, the Indicator and the test button should both be used together by the inspector.