Inspection & Writing Assignment:
While inspecting electric receptacles I ran across this one. It appears to have had a loose connection with the item plugged in to it. Recommended inspection by a qualified person or licensed electrician. I have also placed this on the inspection as an immediate safety hazard.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
One thing i come across on a regular basis is different brand breakers than than the what the panel calls for. This can be a potential problem due to improper fit on the bus bar which can lead to arcing and overheating. It could also void any manufacturer warranty. This usually occurs with homeowner diy projects. This should definitely be put in the inspection report.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Frame types platform vs balloon: In doing some research I have concluded that balloon framing uses one framing member from sill to top plate. this can cause some issues when it comes to fire block. it creates a clear path of the fire to floors above it. Now platform framing provides fire blocks due to walls being built on top of the floor platforms sealing it to the floor below.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Cover plate(s) were missing from one or more electric boxes, such as for receptacles, switches and/or junction boxes. They are intended to contain fire and prevent electric shock from exposed wires. This is a
safety hazard due to the risk of fire and shock. Cover plate(s) should be installed where missing.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I choose this image inspector-electrical.jpg
It is important that the inspector wear personal protective equipment such as gloves, eye protection and non-nylon clothing; preferrable cotton when performing an electrical inspection. The inspector should have a unobstructed work area that is at least 30" wide by 6 1/2 foot high and 36" deep.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Electrical safety.
There are so many things to be aware of around any type of electrical source. Inside the home outlets should have safety plugs in all unused outlets especially when there are children around. Their natural curiosity can tempt them to stick things into an outlet which could be dangerous or even fatal. Other things such as appliances by water, open knockouts and electric heaters all can be a potential hazard people tend to take for granted. Outdoor safety hazards are things such as no gfci outlets, service entrance wire run to close to windows and using the wrong type of ladder by electric lines.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Inspection of main service panel located at South East corner of residence. Power is supplied by underground service known as a service lateral.The panel is located behind main service panel in crawl space under the floor south east corner.
Inspectors photos and visual findings for main service panel found no visual manufacturing name identification and amperage capacity for the service panel also noted the lack of bushings from main service panel protecting wires leading to sub panel. Note: these issues need further evaluation by a licensed electrical contractor. Sub panel is located in crawl space south east corner of residence access is limited to the sub panel Note: this sub panel is in need of further evaluation by a licensed electrical contractor
Research & Writing Assignment:
Hand books as a reference for inspectors.
For myself i decided to purchase a set of reference books from NACHI as i worked my way through the on line inspection training.The how to preform a inspection are a library of information and guidance as i went through each topic. I have references and added personal notes to each book for further reference and will keep them with me during inspections for a field reference. I have just completed the how to preform residential electrical inspections and the book is covered with highlighted references that i have underlined.
I strongly recommend all inspectors to take advantage to the reference book, add field notes and have them available when you may be in doubt.
Robert Workman
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
I completed this inspection according to the safety measures that I learned in this course.This is a very clean electrical panel has a 200-amp service. all Breakers looks good and solid in their place. no sign is arcing,burning or splicing.No visible damage to the panel box. Also checked and inspected all GFCI Outlets in bathrooms and in the kitchen.
Research & Writing Assignment:
A light fixture in a bathroom must be a minimum of eight high and 3 feet away from the top.
All outside receptacles must have a GFCI protection except except Porto receptacle that supplies power snow melting or deicing equipment. Duplex receptacle purpose specific requirement for what type of wire must be used end has a specific Empress voltage ratings.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
In the breaker panel there is an open breaker slot in the dead front. This is an electrocution hazard as it allows direct contact with the panel behind. It should be covered with a filler plate to correct the deficiency.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This photo is in reference to How To Perform Residential Electrical Inspection and in the attached photo you can see a breaker that has been double-tapped, which means more than one electrical conductor attached to a single breaker. This is a discrepancy and can cause overheating. This situation should be reviewed by a qualified electrician.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I reviewed the article on electrical service panels. The picture of the mess inside left from a snake that decided to crawl in the panel and the story of the electrician that was killed taking off a dead front reinforced the message of safety first with the extreme hazard of an electrical service panel inspection.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Upon carefully removing the cover panel to the panel box, The inspector will want to check several areas inside the panel. The inspector will want to check for grounding and bonding. They’ll want to check for double-tapped breakers, damaged or altered breakers. Debris or rust inside the panel box. They’ll want to look for bushings missing around branch wiring as well as any questionable wiring in the panel box.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This course clarified for me the need for bonding. I opened this distribution panel and found the grounding busbar was not bonded to the panel enclosure. Comparing the neutral and ground busbars, they appear to be attached to the enclosure in the exact same manner. The mounting screws appear to be insulated by plastic mounts on both busbars. Thus, it appears to me that neither of the busbars are connected to ground, a good thing in the case of the neutral busbar. At least the neutral and ground busbars were separate from each other. As well, I noticed that in this Westinghouse enclosure there is a Cutler-Hammer breaker which is not listed as approved on the panel label.
Research & Writing Assignment:
In studying the illustration, Grounding Jumper, it calls to mind that when performing electrical inspections we should all pay very close attention to the grounding situation, anywhere it is visible. In looking at this illustration, it shows a jumper wire being used to jump the grounding path over the water meter. I have never seen this in any inspection I have performed. Without using that jumper wire, the grounding path may well be interrupted by the water meter and therefore there may not be a very good ground available for the entire home. As well, I frequently see main service panels where the grounding busbar is not bonded to the metal enclosure, nor it seems is the neutral busbar bonded to the ground busbar. We should pay special attention anytime we have outlets that register no ground when tested. Also, acorn clamps used to secure the grounding wire are frequently misapplied where the ground wire is underneath the screws instead of on the other side of the clamp. I will be more diligent in the future in really investigating proper grounding.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Electrical Panel Inpection
Panel located at West Exterior Wall
Electrical is 120/240 main service rating with breakers. Service drop is at back of panel. All service entrance conductors are copper with ground. Wire sizes are #6 40-50 amp and #14 15-20 amps. Service grounding is stranded copper with rod connection. Bonding was visibly detected. Panel manufacturer: Murray Electrical Products. Panel rating : 200 amps max. No sub-panel visible on property. Ground fault circuit interrupters located in Master bath, secondary bathroom and in kitchen.
General Observations:
Conductor conduit coming in from the main drop is frayed, the material is a cloth wire insulation. Most of the conductors coming in to the bus connection have about 1/4" of exposed copper. Recommend having a professional electrician review and correct the issues.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Electrical Service Panels
Safety is most important when inspecting an electrical panel. I must know my surroundings such as wet surfaces (floors, electrical equipment, conductors, etc.), avoid distractions and always have an escape path in case of any dangerous surprises. Personal safety equipment should be worn at all times when inspecting an electrical panel (Safety glasses, other protective equipment)anything to protect against burn or electrical shock. Knowing what defects to look for during an electrical panel inspection is important because they may show defects.
A list of items to be inspected on the panel are:
Insufficient clearance, Aluminum Branch wiring, Sharp Tipped Screws, Wrong size circuit breakers, Oxidation / Corrosion of parts, Rodent damage, Electrical failures, Water entry, Missing or improper bonding, Panel manufacturer, Contact points of overcurrent protection device.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The “deck with outdoor receptacle” photo is an example of an exterior outlet in the deck area that does not include any type of weather proofing protection. This exterior deck outlet needs to have a weather proof protection cover installed.
