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Inspecting Inspecting Electrical Electrical

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Inspecting Electrical. Inspection Includes:. Service entrance & masthead Main panel and subpanels (if any) Branch circuit wiring Junction boxes, outlets & fixtures. National Electric Code. Governs all electrical installations for both commercial and residential - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Inspecting ElectricalInspecting Electrical

Inspection Includes:Inspection Includes:

Service entrance & masthead Service entrance & masthead Main panel and subpanels (if any)Main panel and subpanels (if any) Branch circuit wiringBranch circuit wiring Junction boxes, outlets & fixturesJunction boxes, outlets & fixtures

National Electric CodeNational Electric Code

Governs all electrical installations for Governs all electrical installations for both commercial and residentialboth commercial and residential

NEC does NOT require updating to NEC does NOT require updating to older homes with new code revisionsolder homes with new code revisions

The MOST important aspect of the The MOST important aspect of the electrical inspection is to be on alert electrical inspection is to be on alert for SAFETY HAZARDSfor SAFETY HAZARDS

Required to InspectRequired to Inspect Service entranceService entrance

Main distribution panelMain distribution panel

Branch circuit wiringBranch circuit wiring

GFCIs within 6 ft of interior plumbing fixturesGFCIs within 6 ft of interior plumbing fixtures

Polarity & grounding of representative number of Polarity & grounding of representative number of interior receptacles and ALL carport receptaclesinterior receptacles and ALL carport receptacles

Not Required to InspectNot Required to Inspect Low voltage systemsLow voltage systems Telephone, security, cable TV, intercoms or other Telephone, security, cable TV, intercoms or other

ancillary wiringancillary wiring

DO NOT:DO NOT:

Insert tool, probe or testing device inside panelInsert tool, probe or testing device inside panel Test or operate overcurrent devices except GFCIsTest or operate overcurrent devices except GFCIs Dismantle any electrical device or control other Dismantle any electrical device or control other

than to remove main panel coverthan to remove main panel cover

Inspecting Service EntranceInspecting Service Entrance Service entrance Service entrance

• Overhead or undergroundOverhead or underground• Secure attachment to houseSecure attachment to house• Copper, aluminum, or copper-clad aluminumCopper, aluminum, or copper-clad aluminum• Amperage 60A (round meter base), 100A (square meter base), Amperage 60A (round meter base), 100A (square meter base),

or 200A (rectangular meter base)or 200A (rectangular meter base)

• By today's standards, 100-amp service is considered By today's standards, 100-amp service is considered minimal serviceminimal service..

Typical Service Entrance WiringTypical Service Entrance Wiring

Typical Service Entrance Cables

Wire Size Amperage Rating  Width 

#4/0 200 Amps Aluminum 1 7/16 inches

#2/0150 Amps Aluminum

(AL)200 Amps Copper (CU) 1 5/16 inches

#2 100 Amps Aluminum

125 Amps Copper1 5/16inches

#4 100 Amps Copper 3/4 inch

#6 60 Amps Aluminum 3/4 inch

 

Service Drop & MastheadService Drop & Masthead

If service comes in below roof level, it If service comes in below roof level, it must be at least 3’ from windowsmust be at least 3’ from windows

If service comes in above roof level, If service comes in above roof level, it must be at least 3’ above roofit must be at least 3’ above roof

Service wires must:Service wires must:• Be 12’ above drivewaysBe 12’ above driveways• At least 10’ above groundAt least 10’ above ground• At least 8’ above a flat roof & 18” above At least 8’ above a flat roof & 18” above

roof ridgesroof ridges

Voltage RatingVoltage Rating Service drops:Service drops:

• Number of wires going to masthead Number of wires going to masthead indicates voltageindicates voltage

• Three wires with one tied back & two Three wires with one tied back & two entering = 120 Ventering = 120 V

• Three wires entering = 240VThree wires entering = 240V

Service PanelService Panel Check box for heat.Check box for heat.

Don’t open of warm..cause for immediate concern.Don’t open of warm..cause for immediate concern.

If OK remove cover:If OK remove cover:

Inspect for any “tapping before the main” …SAFETY Inspect for any “tapping before the main” …SAFETY HAZARDHAZARD

If no main disconnect, must be able to power down in six If no main disconnect, must be able to power down in six hand movementshand movements

Inspect for properly sized wires to properly sized breakers Inspect for properly sized wires to properly sized breakers or fusesor fuses

Wiring to Branch Circuits & Wiring to Branch Circuits & BreakersBreakers

AWG#  COPPER  COPPERCLAD AL OR ALUMINUM 18 Typically lampcord wiring and low voltage applications

16 Typically lampcord wiring and low voltage applications

14 15 Amps

12 20 Amps 15 Amps

10 30 Amps 20 Amps

8 50 Amps 30 Amps

6 65 Amps 50 Amps

4 100 Amps 70 Amps

3 110 Amps 80 Amps

2 125 Amps 100 Amps

1 150 Amps 110 Amps

1/0 175 Amps 125 Amps

2/0 200 Amps 150 Amps

3/0 175 Amps

4/0 200 Amps

 

Service Panel Inspection OverviewService Panel Inspection Overview

Look for signs of corrosion outside Look for signs of corrosion outside and at interior connectionsand at interior connections

Look for circuit breakers that have Look for circuit breakers that have more than one conductor attachedmore than one conductor attached• (Double or triple tapping is normally (Double or triple tapping is normally

prohibited)prohibited)

Double Tapping BreakerDouble Tapping Breaker

Service Panel InspectionService Panel Inspection

Check for loose or unattached Check for loose or unattached conductorsconductors

Check wires for signs of arcing, Check wires for signs of arcing, charred metal or burnt wire charred metal or burnt wire insulationinsulation

Evaluate cables entering box for Evaluate cables entering box for proper protection and fasteningproper protection and fastening

Main Service Panel InspectionMain Service Panel Inspection

Report wires smaller than #8 (fire Report wires smaller than #8 (fire hazard)hazard)

Clearance around panel should be:Clearance around panel should be:• 6-6” headroom6-6” headroom• 30” all around 30” all around • 36” clear in front36” clear in front

Grounding ConductorGrounding Conductor

Grounding releases unwanted electricity to Grounding releases unwanted electricity to “ground” (earth)“ground” (earth)

Ground wire must come from the neutral Ground wire must come from the neutral to the plumbing system or to a steel rod to the plumbing system or to a steel rod driven into earth. (Both reqd since 1987)driven into earth. (Both reqd since 1987)

Check for continuity of plumbing and Check for continuity of plumbing and dielectric connectors!dielectric connectors!

Common Defects To Report: Common Defects To Report: Recommend an Electrician Be CalledRecommend an Electrician Be Called

Double tapped circuitsDouble tapped circuits Broken or cracked fixtures or outletsBroken or cracked fixtures or outlets Melted insulationMelted insulation Handyman wiringHandyman wiring Loose ceiling fansLoose ceiling fans Permanently installed extension cords & Permanently installed extension cords &

temporary wiringtemporary wiring Missing or inoperable GFCIsMissing or inoperable GFCIs Oversized breakers & fusesOversized breakers & fuses

Safety Hazards: Report & Safety Hazards: Report & Recommend An Electrician Be CalledRecommend An Electrician Be Called

Masthead within reach of occupantsMasthead within reach of occupants Frayed entrance cableFrayed entrance cable Tapping before mainTapping before main Oversized fuses or breakersOversized fuses or breakers System not groundedSystem not grounded More than 6 hand movements to More than 6 hand movements to

power downpower down