Many wonder what exactly an electrical inspector does or looks for when conducting an inspection. Another common question is why you’ll need an electrical inspection in the first place. There are many reasons. Maybe you live in an older home with old unstable wiring. You may be rebuilding or extending a part of your home or business and want to make sure your wiring systems is up to code. Whatever the reason is, you might wonder what to expect from an electrical inspector. Burley Electrical Services will explain the process of an electrical inspection and what to expect.
Inspection of Electrical Boxes
In general, the inspector will start their inspection at the electrical boxes and see if they are flush with the wall. We will also make sure the electrical box is an adequate size for all the wiring. Some electrical boxes will have extra devices inside them. They too will be inspected. You may even notice your inspector pulling or wiggling the box. We are making sure it is properly secured to the wall and the devices inside aren’t moving around. While we conduct an inspection of the electrical box, we will also check the wire sheath. The wires attached to the box should stick into the box about ¼ of an inch. They make sure the wire strap is attached to the sheath and not the wires themselves which is a common cause of electrical fires.
Electrical Wiring Inspection
The inspector will also do an inspection of the electronics inside the home and see how much voltage you are using to determine whether your current wiring system is adequate for your power needs. Often they will recommend that delicate electronics such as TV’s, elaborate sound systems, and computers, use ground receptacles because they protect this equipment from current fluctuations and interference. Isolated receptacles and surge protectors can protect your electronic devices individually. Whole house protectors can also be beneficial to your home’s devices. The surge point will then be inspected for proper use. Appliances often require the most power usage in a home. The inspector will make sure electronic boards are used for your larger appliances. The inspector will measure outlets and the switches height. Outlet height should be a foot off the ground and switches should be 4 feet from the ground, if not it may be in violation to codes. However some exceptions can slide for the handicapped. Children’s rooms may have lower outlets and switches as well. The inspector will also check the wire anchoring. The wires throughout your home should be attached to the studs in your walls. If any of them wiggled loose due to age, pests or some other reason, they will reattach the wires to the wall using a staple gun. Wiring should be attached to the center wall stud; this will help keep wires from drywall screws and nails that can cause a electrical discharge and later fires.
Electrical Inspections & Reports in Pompano Beach, Boca Raton, Davie, Fort Lauderdale & South Florida
These are some of the main points of an electrical inspection, and what to expect when an inspector comes to your home. It is important to have your electrical systems inspected to make sure there is no potential blowout or worse yet, an electrical fire. Make sure you have a licensed professional do your inspection. We are trained and have the most experience when examining electrical systems. Burley Electrical Services wants you and your home to be safe for years to come. If you’re in need of an electrical inspection, we are just a call away.
