- AFCI Protection
- GFCI Protection
- Conductor Types
- Ungrounded 3-prong Receptacles
- Bootleg Grounds
- Neutral Conductor Concerns
- Sub-panel: Floating Neutral Bus Bar
- Bootleg Grounds
- Smoke Alarms
Receptacles/Switches
Check for:
- Mis-wired receptacles. Consider using a Suretest rather than a $12 tester for more accurate readings.
- Ungrounded 3-prong receptacles / bootleg grounds
- Outlets installed above electric baseboard heaters.
Comment on:
- Many receptacles installed upside down.
- Lack of GFCI or AFCI protection (requirements vary by jurisdiction)
- GFCI or AFCI receptacles that don’t respond or respond poorly to testing.
- Missing cover plates.
- Scorched, damaged, or loose receptacles or switches.
- Inoperable or weakly operating switches.
- Inoperable or intermittently-operating lights
- Conventional receptacles used in floors or countertops
Testing GFCI receptacles: When testing for GFCI protection of electrical circuits by activating the trip button on a 3-light testing device, the inspector may then be unable to locate the GFCI outlet controlling the circuit to which he has shut off power. Affected outlets are sometimes in another part of the home or hidden behind the occupant’s belongings. Using the test button built into GFCI outlets will prevent this problem.
Wiring
Comment on:
- Improperly-terminated wires. Just because they don’t carry current when you test doesn’t mean there isn’t a switch somewhere.
- Inadequately supported wires.
- Improper conductor types like Romex used outside.
- Antiquated wiring like cloth-covered or knob & tube (recommend evaluation by a qualified electrical contractor).
- Garbage disposal wiring run through kitchen cabinets.
- Improper garbage disposal wiring (dedicated 20-amp circuit, hardwired or factory cord, splices in junction boxes with covers).
- Conductors exposed to potential damage from impact or abrasion.