This inspection writing assignment is about this square d panel. The panel has the proper dead front screws, and legend. The legend could be labeled better as to what lights are what and that sort of thing. Also the panel is a little bit too low than what is called for.
This essay cover sub panels in an outside structure. According to the NEC sub-panels installed in a detached structure must have a separate grounding electrode. In this case I am going to install a ground rod and i will use the minimum 6 gauge wire for my grounding electrode or ground rod.
You must drive the ground rod at least 8’ and use a direct burial acor connector.
This is an image of a sub panel in a detached garage. Their are several problems here. To start off with, their are two non grounded conductors going to the same breaker, their are no clamps on the romex wire going through the knock outs. All of the knock outs have been knocked out. And their is no ground. I would definitely recommend this be evaluated by a professional electrical contractor.
My research and writing assignment is on doing damage during an inspection. Until I read the article I would have thought it would have been the inspectors responsibility to fix something he or she broke during an inspection but like the the article says,if the inspector breaks something during normal usage it could save someone the unexpected break or failure during move in day or the middle of the night when it could be near impossible to get it repaired.
I wanted to talk about different circuit breakers and the reason they are rated for the purpose that that they are. A GFCI breaker works in this manner. It sends out a particular voltage and in order for it to work the same voltage needs to return. If the same voltage does not return it will trip. That is how the breaker works.
It is not required within the InterNACHI SOP to remove the panel cover of the main service panel of the home. With that said, as a home inspector you cannot do a complete inspection of the electrical service system with out the removal of the panel. Using the proper PPE and tools at your disposal the panel can be removed safely and without incident. But remember as a home inspector our job is to do a noninvasive VISUAL inspection.
It is without question that the safety of the inspector and those around him are of the utmost importance. But is also the responsibility of the inspector to adequately inspect the home for not only structural damage but also the safety of the current or future residents of the home. If coming upon a service panel that appears unsafe due to weathering or evidence of DIY intrusion always recommend an electrical contrator be consulted.
The cover on this panel is secured properly to the wall by screws. This panel does not have any missing knockouts where a breaker is not present. There are no apparent burns or any obvious moisture problems. The legend on the side does not have the proper listing for the breakers.
Electrical wires in a house can pose a potential fire hazard if they are not installed or maintained correctly. Each of the different types of electrical wires have different requirements. For example, wires like Romex and AC cables cannot be installed on buildings with 3 or more stories. Knob-and-tube wiring cannot have too much insulation around it due to a possibility of overheating resulting in a fire.
Photo shows an improper grounding rod installation. The rod is protruding about 5 inches from the surface of the earth, which is a tripping hazard. The rod must be entered into the earth. It is recommended to have a supplemental grounding rod also installed as this is a newer home. Please have an electrical contractor review and repair.
Education is the best protection against danger from electrical panel inspections. An electrical panel can contain an array of issues even before you open the box. Ranging from improper grounding of the box, to exposed wires, to even open pop outs that now contain insect nests. Knowing what to expect and using the best precautions can help keep you safe.
I inspected the smoke alarms in my new home. There are smoke alarms located outside the kitchen, the hallways, and in the bedrooms. The smoke alarms were individually tested at the units and all sounded when using the test button. I will usually encourage my clients to date the batteries that they install in the units.
I read an article on elderly safety. I found this article intriguing due to the fact the my company is located in Florida where there are a large amount of retired people. Every year there are over 1 million people over 65 injured by items they use everyday.
I Inspected a townhouse electrical panel. It was a 200 Amp Service. The panel was installed correctly and with all six bolts. The legend was filled out and easy to read. No grounded wires were double tapped and the cables entering the panel were secured correctly. There were two holes in the panel that need a plug installed as they were empty and unused.
I read an article on electrical service panels and how they can be one of the most dangerous parts on an inspection. Panels that have not been maintained or installed correctly can harbor a number of surprises for an unsuspecting inspector. From bees to wasps and even mice, panels can hold a number of natural hazards. It’s best to be casual and work slowly and methodically when checking an Electrical panel.
The attached photo is from a pre-1980 electrical panel that had many problems and was considered to be a potential danger to consumers when in use. This panel had one only 30-amp circuit breaker, and all the remainder of breakers were 20-amp model. The panel has no labeling that identify the circuits that were connected to the particular breaker. It was recommended that a licensed electrical contractor evaluate the panel.
This is an old fuse box located in a garage. There were a few issues with this, including open knockouts, lots of debris, rust, and wires improperly secured to the screws. I recommended that the client should either have an electrician correct the issues, or upgrade the panel to a breaker system like the one servicing the house.
Electrical Service Panels - Safety and Inspections
Electrical panels are mostly metal enclosures that house circuit breakers which are the safety devices that are within electrical circuits as safety devices and circuit breaks when needed. One of the main safety feature or function that the breakers perform is to open our break the electrical circuit when the current within the circuit exceed a predetermined level. When inspecting an electrical panel, a building inspector should ensure that the panel is not wet, that the panel cover is not live, and that is the or she is standing back from the panel. The inspector should also wear personal protective equipment, particularly eye protection device and insulating gloves.