# Load testing receptacles? **URL:** \ **Category:** Electrical Inspections\ **Created:** [August 11, 2026, 7:58pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/load-testing-receptacles/269862 "2026-08-11T19:58:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![smurray23](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/smurray23/32/250212_2.png) [@smurray23](https://forum.nachi.org/u/smurray23)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 7:58pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/load-testing-receptacles/269862/1 "2026-08-11T19:58:18Z")
I understand that this is beyond InterNACHI SOP, but I wondered if any of you ever do load testing of branch circuits or find it useful? I did it in my own house, and in relatives’ and friends’ houses and had quite a variety of results. Some circuits had 10% voltage drops or greater even at just 10-12A. I spot checked this at a vacant new construction home and found similar results. Some of the 15A branches lost up to 10% when at a 12A load. Just curious to know if anyone else tests this and how you would interpret or report such results if you do. ---
**Author:** ![wjones18](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/wjones18/32/397367_2.png) [@wjones18](https://forum.nachi.org/u/wjones18)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 8:23pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/load-testing-receptacles/269862/2 "2026-08-11T20:23:41Z")
What are you using to do the load testing? ---
**Author:** ![kleonard](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/kleonard/32/170953_2.png) [@kleonard](https://forum.nachi.org/u/kleonard)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 8:33pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/load-testing-receptacles/269862/3 "2026-08-11T20:33:42Z")
> [@smurray23](#): > > but I wondered if any of you ever do load testing of branch circuits or find it useful? No, I never have and never will, and I could see it potentially opening a really big can of worms if one ever were to report that as a defect in an inspection report. ---
**Author:** ![rmeier2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rmeier2/32/59909_2.png) [@rmeier2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rmeier2)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 8:44pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/load-testing-receptacles/269862/4 "2026-08-11T20:44:46Z")
> [@kleonard](#): > > No, I never have and never will, and I could see it potentially opening a really big can of worms if one ever were to report that as a defect in an inspection report.. I agree, the NEC has no requirement for voltage drop compensation in a dwelling so that can of worms could be quite large if opened. ---
**Author:** ![bcawhern1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/bcawhern1/32/408713_2.png) [@bcawhern1](https://forum.nachi.org/u/bcawhern1)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 8:44pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/load-testing-receptacles/269862/5 "2026-08-11T20:44:51Z")
> [@wjones18](#): > > What are you using to do the load testing? Great question. I would suspect most voltage drops are from backstabbing a receptacle. But there could be other issues are no issue at all. At what point is a voltage drop a material defect? ---
**Author:** ![jjonas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jjonas/32/301755_2.png) [@jjonas](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jjonas)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 9:10pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/load-testing-receptacles/269862/6 "2026-08-11T21:10:38Z")
![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/c/1/8/c18a39b680ebd6f753159716fd3ee9260690bdf8.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![jspencer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jspencer/32/172267_2.png) [@jspencer](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jspencer)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 9:23pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/load-testing-receptacles/269862/7 "2026-08-11T21:23:12Z")
I know some inspectors load test the commode before the buyer and agent get there. Never heard of receptacles being tested. ---
**Author:** ![rkenney](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rkenney/32/405447_2.png) [@rkenney](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rkenney)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 9:41pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/load-testing-receptacles/269862/8 "2026-08-11T21:41:33Z")
![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/0/e/1/0e14e2a8e1de15297fb6a4a421ffde0a808d1d11.jpeg) This formula only works for a purely resistive load (light bulb or toaster). Soon as you introduce an inductive load that formula is no longer valid (AC voltage). ---
**Author:** ![jmckee](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jmckee/32/211009_2.png) [@jmckee](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jmckee)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 9:55pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/load-testing-receptacles/269862/9 "2026-08-11T21:55:21Z")
I suppose You could come up with a lot of silly things to do to waste time during an inspection, I always found I kept busy enough just doing my job … ---
**Author:** ![tglaze](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/tglaze/32/362210_2.png) [@tglaze](https://forum.nachi.org/u/tglaze)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 10:00pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/load-testing-receptacles/269862/10 "2026-08-11T22:00:57Z")
You’re always too busy doing lick test on substances you don’t recognize 😉 ---
**Author:** ![jmckee](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jmckee/32/211009_2.png) [@jmckee](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jmckee)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 10:44pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/load-testing-receptacles/269862/11 "2026-08-11T22:44:09Z")
it pays to be thorough 😅 ---
**Author:** ![pmarin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/pmarin/32/274582_2.png) [@pmarin](https://forum.nachi.org/u/pmarin)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 2:41am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/load-testing-receptacles/269862/12 "2026-08-12T02:41:24Z")
Yeap! At the end, if you wanna play Master Electrician, that’s fine…! Are your Home Inspection Clients paying you for a home inspection or for an electrical load test? So, yes! You are assuming an additional liability, are you receiving adequate compensation for such? That is the question! Do you see those abbreviations after my name? I am an Electrical Engineer, for the right price, I can do anything they want, but not as part of the regular Home Inspection Fee. ---
**Author:** ![smurray23](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/smurray23/32/250212_2.png) [@smurray23](https://forum.nachi.org/u/smurray23)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 3:15am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/load-testing-receptacles/269862/13 "2026-08-12T03:15:46Z")
> You are assuming an additional liability… So, my question was whether others have done these tests and how they would interpret such results if they do so. I’m not sure how “you are assuming an additional liability” addresses that. I’m also having a hard time imagining precisely what “liability” it is that I’m assuming by noting that the voltage on a circuit dropped significantly when a load was on it. But I’m open to learning. ---
**Author:** ![ccurrins](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ccurrins/32/225758_2.png) [@ccurrins](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ccurrins)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 4:14am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/load-testing-receptacles/269862/14 "2026-08-12T04:14:23Z")
> [@smurray23](#): > > my question was whether others have done these test The simple answer is no, at least not during a typical home inspection. And I’m confident at least 95% of home inspectors would agree. ---
**Author:** ![pmarin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/pmarin/32/274582_2.png) [@pmarin](https://forum.nachi.org/u/pmarin)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 4:46am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/load-testing-receptacles/269862/15 "2026-08-12T04:46:42Z")
Well, first of all, doing home inspection work always expose the inspector to potential liabilities due to client’s interpretation of the facts or realtor’s lack of acceptance of your findings and analysis. Furthermore, every time you touch something within the premises of the subject dwelling, you are assuming a responsibility for its current condition and possibility misfirings (i.e. stepping on a rotten roof shingle) All of the sudden you were trying to impress someone by climbing on the roof and your big-foot comes across the ceiling, bang! You can live with the fact that your business liability insurance will respond satisfactorily, because inspecting the roof is an integral part of your home inspection job, but… that electrical load test is not. And if something goes wrong while at it with the house… your insurance may want to look to the other side. Backstabbed connections, loose screws, or aluminum wiring can show dangerous heating under load. Interior arcs, receptacle failure, overheating circuit breakers, etc. are just a few things that can go wrong. For that reason, most of our Inspection procedures are ‘visual observations’, your hands stay inside your pockets, like those soccer players..! Pedro J Marin | BSEE, MBA, PMP, LHI (443)797-4626 ---
**Author:** ![dfreund](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/dfreund/32/339074_2.png) [@dfreund](https://forum.nachi.org/u/dfreund)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 4:49am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/load-testing-receptacles/269862/16 "2026-08-12T04:49:02Z")
> [@smurray23](#): > > I understand that this is beyond InterNACHI SOP, but I wondered if any of you ever do load testing of branch circuits or find it useful? > > I did it in my own house > [@wjones18](#): > > What are you using to do the load testing? > [@smurray23](#): > > So, my question was whether others have done these tests and how they would interpret such results if they do so. What are you using to do the load testing? > [@smurray23](#): > > But I’m open to learning. Are you open to sharing? How are you performing load testing of branch circuits? I know of at least one device that performs this testing. I own one. It stays in my truck and I don’t use it to perform load testing of branch circuits on any of my inspections. I do use it at my own home for certain applications and troubleshooting and in the field occasionally for my other business. ---
**Author:** ![smurray23](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/smurray23/32/250212_2.png) [@smurray23](https://forum.nachi.org/u/smurray23)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 5:11am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/load-testing-receptacles/269862/17 "2026-08-12T05:11:18Z")
Klein RT390 ---
**Author:** ![smurray23](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/smurray23/32/250212_2.png) [@smurray23](https://forum.nachi.org/u/smurray23)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 5:13am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/load-testing-receptacles/269862/18 "2026-08-12T05:13:00Z")
Klein RT390 It actually turned up some interesting things in my own (very old) home. ---
**Author:** ![bcawhern1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/bcawhern1/32/408713_2.png) [@bcawhern1](https://forum.nachi.org/u/bcawhern1)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 11:03am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/load-testing-receptacles/269862/19 "2026-08-12T11:03:15Z")
Exceeding the SoP is common, we all do it. But understanding the additional liability will help you survive in this business. Exceeding the SoP establishes a higher standard of care which reduces the defensibility provided by the SoP. Furthermore, when you report on things you don’t understand, have trouble comprehending the consequences, or can easily misinterpret findings; your reputation will suffer, your clients will suffer, and the transaction will endure unnecessary stress. At which point, you may be accused of a lack of standard of care associated with your profession or even gross negligence . > [@smurray23](#): > > I’m also having a hard time imagining precisely what “liability” it is that I’m assuming by noting that the voltage on a circuit dropped significantly when a load was on it. ---
**Author:** ![rmeier2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rmeier2/32/59909_2.png) [@rmeier2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rmeier2)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 11:32am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/load-testing-receptacles/269862/20 "2026-08-12T11:32:30Z")
> [@smurray23](#): > > So, my question was whether others have done these tests and how they would interpret such results if they do so. How would you interpret the results? If there is a 10% VD at the end of a circuit would there be an expectation that the house needs to be rewired? [Next page](https://forum.nachi.org/t/load-testing-receptacles/269862.md?page=2)