I was on an inspection where there was two main disconnect 200 amp panels. Each panel had a direct connect to meter socket (no other form of disconnect). Panel 1 had the primary electrical grounding system to ground rod in place. The second panel had a jumper from the ground bus of panel one, to ground bus a panel two. I believe that is OK? So that’s question one. Question two is both main panels did not have the bonding screw tighten, therefore, the panel housing was not bonded, which, as a main panel should be, from what I understand. I called it out in my report. A master electrician came out and had a conversation with the homeowner saying that it was not needed. So is anybody able to specify where in the NEC there are exceptions? Or is the Electrician full of it?
Welcome Zach! Pictures are very helpful!! 
So green binding screws still at manufacturer loose position, grounding conductor was also spliced before going underground, which I brought up, but apparently there are exceptions for that too… also noted unidentified white wires into breakers. Electrical said all is good.
Voice text suck! Sorry.
Siemans panel. Both A and B panel appear to be wired as service panels (B should be sub-panel - isolated grounds). The bonding screw is in the upper right (right buss bar). Bus bars in both panels are connected to each other (sub panel right should be isolated for grounds only and bonded with green screw to panel enclosure). Alternate method of ground isolation is to add bus bars screwed directly to enclosure (remove bonding screw). What about the third panel?
Does look like the third panel is the only sub-panel.
IMO both A & B panels are service panels @ 200 amps each for a total of 400 amps of service. The green screws should be bonded in both service panels and the third panel is a sub panel that is energized through panel B.
As far as the GEC being spiced, I agree with you there as well that it should not be spliced and I would write that up, both service panels being bonded to each other is not a problem.
I’m on the same page as your assessment! FYI-Yes, smaller panel is a sub panel. It is the back up generator sub panel.
So much wrong.
All the cables stuffed into the large knockout is incorrect. The GEC should be unbroken to the first rod. If these are service panels the bond screw should be installed.
Where is the required interlock for the generator feed?
Agreed on the wire bundling through one main knock out, but that’s pretty much all I see out here in Texas. I did listed in the report, but it was a low priority item.
I do not, and did not inspect the generator as Texas does not require us to.
Without the interlock power can be fed into the power lines and kill linemen.
TREC requires you to cite lack of equipment that wasn’t even invented when the house was built but ignores life safety issues like the lack of an interlock. Genius.
Is that usually located in the automatic transfer switch box or sub-panel? Transfer switch is located outside next to the meter socket. I did not open the transfer switch box.
I just moved out to Texas two years ago. I’m originally from Northern California and was a GC for 12 years. building code, permits requirements and inspections out there keep contractors accountable. Out here in Texas, ironically, is the wild wild west of building. Unincorporated areas don’t even require permits or inspections. It all falls on the home inspector to sort things out.
One morning when I was going to my work area in South Carolina for Hurricane Matthew, I passed a utility truck where there were multiple police cars. I figured one of the workers had been hit by a vehicle. Found out a few hours later that someone had a generator back feeding their home. It energized the line and killed the worker.
Who knows if the back feed was wired before or after the hurricane. But this is why you should call out the lack of interlock every time.
I used to call this out all the time…now I just carry a red marker with me.
This might be the only thing I know is wrong, but refuse to call out, lol.
same here… I think its a retarded rule… anyone with the cover off should know that already.
On a related note, I’m the only inspector in my area that calls out double lugged neutrals, according to the agents, lol. At least there is a legitimate risk (albeit pretty small) with those.
I think even here i have seen comments about the neutral connected to the breaker.
The GEC is not spliced, it is tapped with a split bolt which is permitted when adding a bonding jumper to connect to another electrode or equipment.
Must be one massive generator. Powering your neighborhood with a 7500 watt generator looks for all intents and purposes like a dead short to something that small. It’ll trip all the breakers on the unit or , stall it, or simply smoke the windings if the breakers fail closed or are defeated.
Not dropping a ground or bare-handing can be deadly for sure.
I’m quite sure there are still a lot of folks backfeeding through dryer connections, but over the past 5+ years as generator use has exploded, the message seems to be sinking in that interlocks are necessary.
Gotta love AI!