Research & Writing Assignment:
A ground-fault circuit interrupter or GFCI is an electrical device used to disconnect a circuit when an unbalanced current is detected. An estimated 300 deaths are caused by electrocution every year and that is why GFCIs are required in new construction. The requirement for GFCIs have gradually been added throughout the 1970s.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The electrical meter has suffered a catastrophic failure and has been melted / destroyed. Serious arcing and a potential fire hazard. Advise for electrical company to evaluate and replace with proper equipment. Consider also getting a licensed electrician to evaluate entire electrical system for additional concerns.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I chose to read the article titled ‘Mold Testing’. Mold is very hard to eradicate. So, the best defensive method is prevention. Identifying moisture intrusion is key. Wet areas, such as, basements, bathrooms and kitchens can hide mold. Mold is often visible when growing. There are methods of testing. Such as, air and surface testing.
Research & Writing Assignment:
When inspecting service panels some things to check are: Are the neutral and the ground connected? Is the panel enclosure connected to the ground? Does each neutral conductor / wire terminate at a separate lug on it’s bus? aka are there any double taps? Are the conductors the correct size for their breakers? Are there any signs of overheating or arcing?
Research & Writing Assignment:
The article i chose was titled Electrical Service panels. The article stresses that all forms of electrical inspections are inherently dangerous, especially ones on an electrical panel. The article advices to practice calm and steady movements, and to learn to avoid distractions. Furthermore, the articles points out that inspectors should advice their clients to never remove the panel front themselves and to rather let an Internachi inspector or qualified electrician.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The service panel of the home is a federal pacific stab lock these panels where know to have several defects and further evaluation of this panel should take place by a qualified licensed electrician. Also pictured is an open feeder box that appears to be currently used as a junction box and should also be evaluated for repair and or replacement by a licensed electrician.
Research & Writing Assignment:
AFCI indicators can help in inspecting homes where AFCI breakers have been installed. They can examine an outlet or area of outlets were the test button on the breaker only test the breaker. However they are not completely accurate as they cause a wave like pattern similar to an arch fault without being an actual arch fault.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The photo attached has several issues. There is romex feeding the outlet and it should be weather tight conduit with the proper connector to the outlet box. The gasket for the outlet covers is loose and not providing the protection it is designed to.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The photo selected shows the proper clearance for a residential electrical load center. There should be 3 feet clear from the front cover of the panel with a width of 30 inches minimum. The head room minimum is 6 1/2 feet. Think of a refrigerator box in front of the panel, and this will give an idea as to the requirement for the proper clearance.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This is an exposed romex wire under the kitchen sink that is leading to the disposal. We recommend that this wire be in a metal armored cable for safety. We also recommend to install the missing romex connector leading to the junction box.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Heat signatures at the sub panel cannot be excessive. A high temperature reading could be indicative of an overheating breaker. AFCI breakers are normally five to ten degrees hotter than normal breakers and will show as a lighter yellow color on the infrared picture.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Photo shows wiring spliced outside of an electrical box, wiring going under a floor joist and spliced in an electrical box that has no cover. All wiring connections must be in boxes with wire restraints. This is so that if a wire gets snagged by something that it does not undo the wire nuts and cause the wires to short against one another. Wiring should be thru floor joists so that it is less likely to get snagged during normal activity. Wiring boxes should be covered to prevent inadvertent contact with the conductors in the box.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Ground fault circuit interrupter receptacles are required in newer home within six feet of sink and the edge of bathtubs. Arc fault circuit interrupters are required in newer construction for bedrooms. Homeowners should consider, for safety reasons, at least upgrading to GFCI receptacles.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I read the “Electrical Service Panels” article. Learned other things to look for before opening an electical panel, such as using a voltage ticker and looking for water and rust on the bottom of the panel as well as improper screws which could be piercing the wiring inside, creating an electrically live panel/panel cover, which is a shock/electrocution hazard.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Garage electrical outlet appears burnt. Owner says he uses this outlet to charge his Chevy volt electric car. The garage circuit is rated for 20 Amps using 12 ga. copper nm-b cable. Owner was using an extension cord rated at 15 Amps which showed signs of overheating which explains the burnt outlet. Recommend outlet be replaced and conductors evaluated for damage.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
ATTACHED YOU WILL FIND A PICTURE OF A KITCHEN OUTLET. THIS KITCHEN HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES TO NOTE. FIRST, NONE OF THE OUTLETS WERE GFCI OUTLETS AS RECOMMENDED. FURTHERMORE, THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH OUTLETS TO SUPPLY THE KITCHEN PROPERLY. THERE WERE ONLY TWO OUTLETS IN THE ENTIRE KITCHEN THAT WERE SPACED WELL OVER THE ALLOTTED 4 FOOT MARGIN. LASTLY, THE KITCHEN HAD 2 POINTS OF ENTRY AND EXIT, AND THERE WAS NOT A 3 WAY SWITCH INSTALLED AT BOTH POINTS. ADVISED MY CLIENT THAT HE/SHE SHOULD CONSIDER EVALUATION BY A LICENSED ELECTRICIAN, AND POSSIBLE UPGRADE.
Research & Writing Assignment:
FOR MY WRITING PORTION OF THIS SECTION I HAVE CHOSEN TO ELABORATE ON AN ILLUSTRATION DEPICTING HOW TO RUN WIRES AND CABLES THROUGH WOOD STUDDED WALLS. FROM THE ILLUSTRATION I CAN CLEARLY GATHER THAT WIRES SHOULD RUN THROUGH WOODEN STUDS THROUGH HOLES DRILLED INTO THE STUD AT 1 1/4 INCH DEEP FROM THE OUTER EDGE OF THE STUD. IF THE HOLE IS DRILLED LESS THAN 1 1/4 INCH DEEP FROM EITHER SIDE OF THE STUD, THEN A 1/16 METAL KICK PLATE SHOULD BE INSTALLED FOR SAFETY.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The first thing I notice is that it was done by a professional electrician. Everything is organized, super clean, and easy to inspect. There are no signs of any water damage or any wires arcing. Everything is done to code.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I read and studied about Electricity origins, consumption and costs. Energy is generated from energy sources found in the environment, such as sunlight, coal, and wind. The national average electricity consumption for a U.S. residential utility customer was 11,040 kWh. Ther prices vary from location.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Electricity: Origins, Consumption and Costs: This article summarizes the methods currently used for electricity generation. In relation to our goal to switch to renewable energy, we have a ways to go since current wind,water,solar is at 3.6 % of the current usage. Acceptance of nuclear would go along way towards helping reduce emissions.
