Research & Writing Assignment:
When peforming a service panel inspection it is important to use extreme caution when dealing with electricity. The panel should first be inspected for rust or if it is wet, the floor should be checked for moisture so as to avoid standing on a wet surface while working with electrcity. If removing the cover seems unsafe or hazardous, then it should not be removed due to safety reasons.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This photo of a service panel was taken during an inspection because it was found to be a Pushmatic brand service panel. Pushmatic panels over time have the possibility to become stiff and difficult to operate and could possibly malfunction. This could be a fire hazard. Pushmatic panels are also obsolete and repair parts are difficult to find. This panel also had double taping on multiple breakers. This is also could be a fire hazard.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I have chosen to write about an article on the difference between Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI) and Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI). AFCI’s detect and respond to potentially dangerous electrical arcs in the homes electrical wiring and GFCI’s detect ground faults. AFCIs prevent personal injury and property damage due to structure fires and GFCIs are intended to prevent personal injury due to electric shock.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
gfci outlet in the garage serves all the downstream outlets located in the front and back porches.it all served the outlets in the garage. gfci and afci outlets or breakers are life savers when it comes to breaking the electrical connection to a problematic electrical appliance that could shock you
Research & Writing Assignment:
electrical grounding is a vital requirement to ensure that overload protection and proper electrical current is directed to the earth. this can happen from improper currents upstream or lightening strikes. you must make sure that the proper size wires are used when bonding to the grounding stakes.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I chose the photo at: https://www.nachi.org/gallery/?level=picture&id=461
Outlets where children are present ought to be protected either by non-conductive receptacle protection, by the actual design of the receptacle itself. Interestingly, I do not think that much of this topic was covered in this electrical inspection course. Perhaps a new section should be added.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
A few neutral lines were double tapped which is not optimal… Panel cover is held in place with screws which have a pointy end, rather than the manufacturer specified machine screws. Recommend both that the double tapped portions be inspected by a licensed electrician and that the screws be replaced to prevent potential injury (sharp tipped screws can pierce the sheathing on wiring in the panel and lead to injury)
Research & Writing Assignment:
Article: Inspecting Aluminum Wiring by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard
This article explains why Aluminium wiring is not the safest electrical conductor to be installed in homes. Due to its qualities, aluminum wiring tends to become faulty sooner than copper does and depending on how well the wire was installed, conditions can become very dangerous with time. Higher electrical resistance, less ductile, galvanic corrosion, oxidation, thermal expansion, and excessive vibration are aluminum qualities that make it a far less safer conductor than copper. Aluminum wiring can easily be depicted by its aluminum color or the AL (aluminum) labeling on the wire jackets. Taking into consideration the year built of home is important as between the the years 1965 and 1973, single strand aluminum wiring was commonly used in substitution for copper branch-circuit wiring in residential electrical systems due to the increase of copper price.
A home inspector should always seek to determine the type of electrical wire installation in home during the course of an inspection and make recommendations to clients that will prevent shock and fire hazards.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
One of the responsibilities of a certified home inspector is to insure that unsafe conditions, as well as items not to local code and shoddy workmanship is recorded in your report. In the image submitted the j-box is an example of an unsafe condition, lack of following code, and shoddy workmanship. The box is overcrowded and uncovered. This could result in serious injury to both people and ptoperty.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The service panel is one of he most important system components in any dwelling that the home inspector must get right within his ability. Foremost concern is to the inspector as he is performing his inspection. Proper PPE is a must. Great care is to be taken if the panel front is to be removed although this is not within your purvey of duties, yet it is hard to inspect the proper wire size feeding the unit.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
I have uploaded a pictire of a remote distribution panel. This panel was located in the hall of the home and served the branch circuits for the home. It appeared in good condition and properly installed. Remote panels should be inspected as thoroghly as main panels.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The article I read was titled aluminum wiring. The artile goes into detail regarding the various and assorted issues associated with aluminum wiring including how to identify and care for aluminum wiring and the proper methods used for repairing this type of wiring.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
None of the screws used on the electrical panel were flat tipped and all came to a sharp point. This is a safety hazard than can cause electrocution. All the screws need to be replaced by approved blunt tipped alternatives.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
While inspecting an electrical panel box. I found out that it was well covered. It had a good clearance so I would take pictures. Circuit breakers were properly sized, there was no electrical failure, no evidence of missing or improper bonding.
There was no evidence of damage due to rodents. The panel was not rusty.
Research & Writing Assignment:
To protect the home from lightning damage the property must be properly grounded. This means that the electrical system has to have a clear path to follow so it may terminate into the ground with out causing damage to the property or residents.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Electrical Service Panels. I have learnt that electrical panels are boxes that house circuit breakers. Many people including experienced electricians have been killed while opening electrical panels.
As an inspector, I must be aware that all forms of electrical inspections, especially electrical panel inspections, are inherently dangerous.
I have learnt to tell the clients to always leave the inspection and any opening of these panels to inspectors.
As an inspector, I have learnt to stand a little back while removing the cover such that it is easier to remain in the blocking position.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This bathroom receptacle is a standard Leviton style receptacle. Although it is the same shape as a GFCI it does not perform the same function. Upon further examination it was discovered that there is also no equipment ground. So this installation is defective and will need to be upgraded to a GFCI receptacle with a " no ground" label.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Hiring an energy specialist to audit your home periodically. Thermoscans can help them determine where and how much insulation you need to add or remove in order to gain maximum efficiency on air movement within your home to prevent build up of toxic gasses. They can also tell you which improvements would maximize your efficiency, and add value to your home.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This is a Cutler Hammer service panel and in this Cutler Hammer service panel I located the neutral bus bar. There are several of the neutral conductors that are double tapped. This is not up to current safety standards. Current safety standards do not allow for any neutrals to be double tapped.
Research & Writing Assignment:
All service panels need to be properly grounded. This can be done by driving a grounding rod into the ground. The rod must be at least eight feet long and if it is made of copper must be at least 5/8" in diameter. Also, the conductor needs to be properly clamped on the correct side of the clamp. The rod does not have to be driven in vertically if there is unfavorable ground conditions like extremely rocky soil. It can be driven in on an angle of less than 45 degrees.
