Home Inspection Electrical
What is the min. size wire to provide the house with 60 Amp. service?
#6 Cu (copper)
Does a sump require a GFCI?
Not if it is a dedicated receptacle or circuit
Resistance is measured in
Ohms
How does a home inspector test a GFCI at the main panel
Push the test button and see if breaker flips off then flipped breaker back on
If you have a double breaker labeled 100 amps what is the amperage rating of the main disconnect breaker
100 amps
What is the correct size copper wire for a 20 amp breaker?
12 copper wire
How many feet of clearance by the overhead Service drop does the NEC require over driveways and yards
12 feet overhead clearance on driveways and 10 or 12 feet over yards we need to look this up
What would be the voltage rating of an electrical service with two conductors entering the house at the Masthead
120 volt service
What are the NEC required electrical Service drop clearances
18 inches from roof line comma 10 feet in yard comma 12 feet in driveway comma 3 feet from Windows comma 18 feet in alleys comma 21 feet over pools with diving board
Number of wires from Street to house in a 240 volt system
3
How many wires are there from the street into the house in a 240 volt system?
3 conductors
The maximum number of disconnects allowed to shut off main panel are?
6
The maximum number of disconnects for a main power electrical panel is
6
What would be considered a safety hazard at the main disconnect
60 amp conductors and 100 amp main breaker more then 6 disconnect at the main electrical box
What would be considered a safety hazard at the main disconnect
60 amp conductors in 100 amp main breaker
A main disconnect with two 60 amp fuses would indicate what temperature rating
60 amps
You find the incoming service conductors to be number 6-gauge copper the main pull out fuse block contains two 100 amp fuses a main panel is rated for 60 amps what do you report as the service amperage rating
60 amps
Grounding rod must be driven to what depth for proper protection?
8 feet
What is an unused knockout
A fuse holder without a fuse in it
Which of the following conditions at the main panel should be reported as safety hazards
Inoperable GFCI breaker, double tap of main wires, oversized fuses Breakers, uncovered panel with exposed wires are all safety hazards
Which two types of service conductor require the same gauge for a given amperage rating
Aluminum and copper clad aluminum
How are electrical systems grounded on rural properties where the oil supply piping into the house is plastic?
Both ground rods and metal well casing is used
Non-metallic sheathed cables in an attic on top of joist must be?
Both protected within 6 feet of attic ladder , Scuttle hole and must be fastened every 4 and 1/2 feet
What is/ are the most common reasons for replacement of knob and tube wiring?
Breakdown of cloth covering insulation, buried in thermal insulation, and homeowner splices and repairs are all common reasons for replacement
In most cases, three distribution wires connected to one fuse or breaker is acceptable? True or false
False
TF According to most standards inspector must inspect CO detectors
False
TF According to most standards the inspector must inspect low voltage systems
False
TF All Outlets should have GFCI protection per NEC requirement
False
TF The home inspector is required to dismantle connections at junction boxes
False
TF The home inspector is required to use a GFCI tester and neon bulb tester at the main panel
False
TF every Outlet on a property should be a GFCI outlet
False
TF the home inspector is required to determine if aluminum branch circuit wiring is safe
False
TF the home inspector is required to dismantle a main disconnect and Main overload protection devices
False
The size of the fuses or breakers at the main disconnect will always tell you the how much electricity is available to the house?
False
Breakers are safer than fuses, anyhow with fuses should be upgraded to Breakers. True or false
False fuses are just as safe as long as properly maintained and installed
TF head room at the main panel only needs to be 5 foot clearance
False there needs to be at least 6 foot head clearance at main electrical panel
When a GFCI is installed on a two wire non grounded system it provides?
Fault protection, but not grounding protection
Which method of sub panel wiring is not acceptable
Feeder wires tapped at the main disconnect in the main panel
When inspecting a main breaker the home inspector should
Compare its amperage rating to service amperage
A material with a high resistance would be
Good insulator
2 conductor wiring can be used with a GFCI?
True
Fuses are more prone to improperly sized and overloaded? True or false
True
TF According to most standards the inspector is not required to inspect security system wiring
True
TF According to most standards the inspector must inspect branch circuit wiring
True
TF Electrical arcing is heard from within the electrical panel Woodstock VA home inspector from inspecting main panel
True
TF Feeder wires from special logs in the main panel of this sub panel wiring is acceptable
True
TF Home inspector is not required to complete and exhaustive inspection
True
TF NEC requires there to be power sources in each room
True
TF Tapping before the main disconnect is considered and unsafe
True
TF The home inspector is required to check all rooms for afci protection
True
TF The home inspector would not inspect a main panel if heat is felt when touching the cover
True
TF a bathroom outlet 12 inches above electric heating unit is considered an unsafe safety hazard
True
TF aluminum main wires are safe and commonly used
True
TF handyman wiring, open junction box with wires exposed, and reverse polarity in kitchen the home inspector should report has a safety hazard and recommend an electrician evaluate electrical service
True
TF sub panel wiring 3 year wires from a 240-volt breaker in the main panel is acceptable
True
TF the home inspector is required to check for lighting comma power source, and heat source for each room
True
TF the home inspector is required to observe compatibility of branch circuit wiring and there fuses or Breakers
True
TF the home inspector is required to operate all gfcis
True
TF the home inspector is required to report aluminum Branch circuit wiring
True
TF the home inspector should recommend that an electrician to evaluate the electrical service if handyman wiring is found
True
TF the plug in under the kitchen counter or sink is not required to be GFCI protected
True
TF under-sized wires for circuit, uncovered junction boxes with exposed wiring should be listed by the home inspector as a safety hazard
True
TF using copalum crimp connectors to bond copper to aluminum wiring at every connection and splice is the most highly recommended method of repairing aluminum branch circuit wiring
True
The ground wire should always be clamped upstream of the water meter?
True
The home inspector is not required to dismantle connections at junction boxes
True
TF a bathroom outlet 12 inches above electric heating unit is a unsafe practice
True electrical cords overhanging the electrical heating unit can be overheated
TF the home inspector is required to observe branch circuit conductors
True the home inspector should observe branch circuit conductors, types, fuses, Breakers , and amperage
TF Connections in branch circuit wiring should be enclosed in junction boxes per NEC requirement
True there should be no open connections in or around the house
TF Wiring should be run through wood framing members rather than stapled to the edges
True to keep in nails and screws from penetrating wiring jackets although Romex is allowed to be stapled to the edges in attics as long as protected if in walkway
TF Water is pooling on the floor below the electrical panel would stop a home inspector from inspecting a main panel
Truth
A fused neutral ( neutral wire runs to a fuse) is?
Unsafe
What is the measure for electromotive force
Volts
Which formula shows the relationship voltage, Ambridge, and wattage
Wattage equals voltage multiplied by amperage
What determines the amount of electricity (amperage) the wire can carry?
Size (diameter)
The following closet lighting it is ok
Surface mounted or recessed incandescent fixtures with completely enclosed lamps, recessed fluorescent fixtures , mounted incandescent fixtures can be mounted on ceiling with 12 inch clearance
Why should knob and tube wiring never be buried under thermal insulation
Wires can become bear from rodents nibbling on them and from Warren insulation
How is the electrical system in most older homes grounded?
to metal Water supply piping
What should the inspector suggest to the customer if the main panel is underrated for the service amperage
have an electrician evaluate the service
What is the most common electrical flaw found residential?
Over fusing
In electrical outlet wiring to which screw is the hot wire connected
The brass screw
BX cable is also called
Metal armored cable
What amperage would be needed to power a 1200 watt hair dryer on a 120 volt system
10 amps
What is the minimum required clearance in front of the main electrical panel box?
30 inches wide X 36 inches front clearance is required at breaker box
Reverse polarity is
A possible shock hazard
Low voltage lighting systems
Are not inspected according to Industry standards
BX cable is also called
Armored cable
A non grounded receptacle within 6 foot of water should be replaced with?
GFCI , GFCI Upstream from receptacle , single pole GFCI breaker
Where are GFCI required in newer homes?
Ground-fault circuit indicators are required in new homes in kitchen's, bathrooms, unfinished basements, Outdoors, and garages.
For which of the following conditions should an electrician be called to evaluate to service
Handyman wiring at the main panel, a rusted main panel comma the presence of a 20 amp fuse on a 15 amp circuit all heart conditions that electricians should be called to evaluate the service
How do any standards describe the inspection of a home's electrical system
Has a visual inspection
How do the standards describe the inspection of a home electrical system
Has a visual inspection
A new dryer Outlet must
Have a dedicated circuit
What should the inspector suggest to the customer if the main panel is underrated for service amperage
Have an electrician evaluate the service
what steps should a home inspector take to protect the customer safety
Have the customer stay a safe distance away from the electrical equipment
Which condition would not stop a home inspector from the specting a main panel
Headroom it at panel is only 6 foot
Identify the components how a single bus main panel
Main breaker, bus bar, grounding bar
Another name for Romex is
NM cable meaning non metallic
Sub panel requirements?
Neutral and ground must be separated , must be bonded , must be isolated
Which electrical meter most likely indicates the largest service Ambridge
One with a rectangular base
What is an example of improper installation of branch circuit wiring
Open connections not in junction boxes
What is resistance
Opposition of a material to the flow of electricity
What should the home inspector do if he or she finds aluminum branch circuit wiring
Recommend an electrician be called to evaluate the electrical system
What should a home inspector do if he or she finds aluminum circuit wiring
Recommend an electrician be called to evaluate to service
Which action is required by most standards of practice in the electrical inspection
Required to observe polarity and grounding of all interior Outlets within 6 feet of water
What most commonly used as a branch circuit wiring in most modern homes
Romex cable
Which of the following is used as a branch circuit wiring in most modern homes
Romex cable , NM
The neutral and ground wire in a subpanel must be
Separated with a neutral wire isolated the panel
A 3-prong receptacle with an open ground on an older two wire system
Should be replaced with a two prong outlet
You find incoming service conductors to be number 6 gauge copper the main pull up fuse block contains two 100 amp fuses the main panel is rated for 60 amps in this case study what would you report has a safety hazard
The service conductors are rated at a lower rating than the main fuses
In outlet wiring, which is hot
The small slot the brass screw
An electrical outlet wiring Which slot is hot
The smaller slot
Name an important Improvement between knob and tube wiring and modern cable.
The use of grounding
AC cable commonly known as BX , contains a bare aluminum wire. What is its purpose?
The wire is a bonding wire and should not be connected or brought into the interior of boxes
What is the overall purpose of the electrical inspection
To identify major deficiencies in the electrical system
