The Importance of an Electrical House Inspection
Electrical house inspection helps to prevent the most common types of home fires and costly property damage. During an electrical inspection, your inspector will check that you have proper circuits, isolated ground receptacles for sensitive electronic equipment and surge protectors.
Ampi Electric Inc. will also look for GFCI outlets where required by code and AFCI outlet receptacles in kitchens. He will also examine your service panel and look for potential issues such as corroded breakers or overloaded wiring.
Wiring
When you’re a homebuyer or seller, understanding how electrical wiring inspections work can help you prepare. The best way to ensure that the wiring in your home is safe is to have a qualified inspector evaluate it.
During a new construction electrical house inspection, there are several things that an inspector will look at closely. The first is cable anchoring. Wires should be securely attached to the wall studs in order to prevent them from being punctured by drywall screws and nails. Ampi Electric Inc. inspector will ensure that each wire has been properly anchored.
Ampi Electric Inc. inspector will also check to make sure that all circuits are grounded. This is a requirement in most areas, and it helps to protect against shocks and fires. The inspector will test each outlet and receptacle for proper voltage with a multimeter. He or she will also look at the wire gauge and make sure that it’s appropriate for the amount of current being used. A 15-amp circuit requires 14-gauge wire, for example. Inspectors will also check to make sure that GFCI outlets are used in locations where they’re required by code, such as outdoor outlets and kitchen small-appliance outlets.
Finally, the inspector will examine the service panel. This is where all of the major connections are made, and it’s important to ensure that everything is in good condition. The inspector will make sure that the panel is sized appropriately for the amount of electrical demand and that it’s free from rust, damage and other issues. He or she will also ensure that the circuit breakers are up to date and that there are no fuses present.
If fuses are present, they must be replaced with modern circuit breakers as soon as possible. Fuses are dangerous because they can melt and spark, creating a fire hazard. The inspector will also look for any signs of overheating, which are a sign of faulty wiring. These issues must be repaired by a certified electrician as soon as possible to avoid fire hazards and other safety concerns. The right electricians can provide these services quickly and affordably.
Outlets
Ampi Electric Inc. inspection goes well beyond a regular home inspection in terms of checking wiring, systems and outlets. It is a necessary step when remodeling a room, having work done by an electrician or when selling your home. It ensures that all work meets building codes and is safe.
Outlets are the most common place to spot problems with a home’s wiring, and can be easily overlooked by a homeowner. A faulty outlet is not only an inconvenience, it can be a fire hazard. Luckily, most electrical outlets are fairly easy to test. All you have to do is turn off the power to that outlet, then use a multimeter set on ohms to check it. You can find out if the outlet is working by inserting one probe of the meter into the large slot and the other against the middle screw. If the meter reads continuity, the outlet is functioning properly.
If the meter does not indicate continuity, you need to replace the outlet. It could be old or the wiring is not up to code. A receptacle that isn’t grounded may cause shock or fire, and outlets with faceplates without plug covers can lead to child-safety hazards.
In addition, the inspector will look for outlets that are GFCI protected or have a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). These special outlets can prevent injuries from shock or electrocution when an appliance or a person comes into contact with water, such as kitchen sinks or hot tubs. The inspector will also make sure that all receptacles are protected by a surge protector.
The inspector will also check that all receptacles are on a dedicated circuit and have adequate amperage. If they aren’t, you need to upgrade the wiring to prevent overloading and possible fires.
If you’re thinking of buying a home, Call Us Today Ampi Electric Inc. inspector can help catch any problems. A pre-purchase inspection can also reveal issues that a seller might not want to fix before selling, so you can ask for a price discount or negotiate with the seller. It’s a good idea to have an electrical inspection before completing any major remodeling or construction projects as well, so you know that the work is up to code.
Switches
A professional home inspector can look at a wide range of items in your electrical system. These include: switches and outlets, wiring and circuits, GFCIs and AFCIs, outdoor circuits, and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. When a person performs a professional home inspection, they use a checklist to review all of these items and ensure that the installation follows the National Electrical Code (NEC). They can check for things like:
Switches wired incorrectly-these can be shock hazards. This happens when people attempt to do their own wiring or hire someone who has only rudimentary electrical skills. This error causes neutral and hot wires to get "flipped" around, which presents a serious shock risk. Also, when a switch is connected to a double-tapped circuit breaker, this can cause overheating and fires in the future.
Electrical box covers missing-this is a common issue that can be dangerous. These help to contain any arcing or sparking within the box, preventing injuries and potential fires. Inspectors will examine each outlet, switch, and junction box to ensure that there are cover plates installed on each.
GFCIs not working-this is another common problem that can be very dangerous. GFCIs are designed to protect against electrocution and fires caused by overheating. If a house doesn't have any GFCIs, inspectors will note this in their report and recommend that the seller install them.
Aluminum wiring-this was used in many houses from 1965 to 1973 due to the high price of copper. This type of wiring is more likely to overheat and cause fires than copper wiring, so an inspector will note if it is present in a home.
An electrical inspection can be an important step in the home buying process, but it can also be a stressful one for sellers. Home inspections are required by most buyers' contracts, but the buyer can still waive them if they choose to do so. It's best for all parties to have the electrical system inspected before the closing date so that any issues can be fixed before the sale is finalized. To learn more about becoming a professional home inspector, enroll in ICA School's home inspection training program today!
Service Panel
A house's electrical service panel is the central switchboard for all of its wiring. It contains the circuit breakers that protect a home against excess electricity. It is also responsible for distributing the electricity throughout a house. The electrical panel is not the most exciting fixture in a home, but it plays a critical role in your safety.
Ampi Electric Inc. inspector will closely inspect the electrical panel and its components to ensure that they are in good working order. This includes ensuring that the circuit breakers are properly sized to match the number of wires in each individual circuit. The inspector will also check to make sure the circuit breakers are not overheating. He or she may also look at the wiring for signs of faulty installation, rodent damage and other problems that could lead to fires.
In addition to examining the electrical panel itself, the Ampi Electric Inc. inspector will also look at all of the outlets within the house. He or she will look for GFCI outlet protection, which is required in places where there is a risk of contact with water, such as near a kitchen sink or in an outdoor location. Inspectors will also look for AFCI outlet protection, which is required in areas where there is a risk of an arc, such as in garages or attics.
During the inspection, it is important to note that the inspector should never touch the electrical panel while its cover is removed. This is a serious safety hazard and can cause death by electric shock. The inspector should stand a few feet away from the panel while it is opened and should physically block any attempt by observers to reach towards or touch the panel.
If you have recently undergone any major remodeling or construction work that requires a building permit, you may need to schedule two electrical inspections. The first is called a rough-in inspection. This takes place after all of the wiring, conduit and boxes are installed and before insulation is put up. This is necessary to make sure that the wiring is up to code before the walls are closed over with surfaces.
Electrical house inspection helps to prevent the most common types of home fires and costly property damage. During an electrical inspection, your inspector will check that you have proper circuits, isolated ground receptacles for sensitive electronic equipment and surge protectors. Ampi Electric Inc. will also look for GFCI outlets where required by code and AFCI…