InspectAPedia ®

Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair, & Problem Prevention Advice
InspectAPedia
Home
| Air
Conditioning
| Electrical | Indoor
Environment
| Exteriors | Heating | Home
Inspection
| Insulate
Ventilate
| Interiors | Mold
Inspect/Test
| Plumbing
Water
Septic
| Roofing | Structure | Contact Us
Directory of Professionals to Inspect or Test a Building


Mobile Phone/PDA website viewMobile View

ELECTRICAL INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS, REPAIR
AFCIs ARC FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERS
ALUMINUM SECs & WIRING
ALUMINUM WIRING HAZARDS
AMPS & VOLTS DETERMINATION
AMPACITY - the LIMITING FACTOR
APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS
BOOKSTORE - ELECTRICAL
CIRCUIT BREAKER FAILURE
Classified CIRCUIT BREAKER WARNING
DEFINITIONS of ELECTRICAL TERMS
  Definition of Amps
  Definition of Electrical Circuits, shorts
  Definition of Volts
  Definition of Watts
  How a Building Gets 240V and 120V
  How many Watts in a Circuit
  Definition of AC Alternating Current
  Definition of DC Direct Current
  Definition of Electrical Ground Terms
  Definition of Electrical Potential
  Definition of Electrical Resistance
  Efficiency of 120V vs 240V Equipment
DIRECTORY OF ELECTRICIANS
  DIRECTORY OF ELECTRICIANS - Aluminum Wiring
  DIRECTORY OF ELECTRICIANS - FPE Zinsco
ELECTRIC METERS & METER BASES
ELECTRIC PANEL AMPACITY
ELECTRIC PANEL INSPECTION
ELECTRICAL BASICS
  Electricity Basics - how it works
  Electrical Circuit ID, Map & Label
  Electrical Circuits, shorts
  Electrical Code Basics
  Electrical Conduit Tips
  Electrical Definitions
  Electrical Grounding Basics
  Electrical Outlet-how to add
  Electrical Splices, how to make
  Electrical Tools & Tests
  Electrical Wire Stripping Tips
  Electrical Wiring Books & Guides
  Electrical Wiring in Old Houses
    Grounding
    Voltage Available
    Amperage Available
    Knob-and-tube wiring
    Electrical Shorts
    Number of Circuits
    Polarized Plugs, Receptacles, Lights
ENERGY SAVINGS in BUILDINGS
FEDERAL PACIFIC FPE HAZARDS
GROUND SYSTEM INSPECTION
  Why Grounding is Needed
  Gas Piping Ground Bond
  Table of Ground Wire Sizes
  False Ground at Receptacles
  False Neutral Connections
  Case History: Double Fault Leads to Loss of Power
  Case History:Loss of Neutral Shocks Homeowner
  Electrical Service Grounding Checklist
HEATING COST FUEL & BTU Cost Table
HEAT, ELECTRIC
KNOB & TUBE WIRING
LIGHTNING PROTECTION
LOW VOLTAGE BUILDING WIRING
MAIN DISCONNECT AMPACITY
MULTI-WIRE CIRCUITS
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SYSTEMS
PUSHMATIC - BULLDOG PANELS
RUST in ELECTRICAL PANELS
SAFETY FOR ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS
  Shock Risk Statistics
  Outside Electrical Inspection
  Electric Meter & Service Entry
  Local Electrical Grounding
  Electrical Panel Interior Inspection
  Removing Electric Panel Covers
  Electrical Panel Cover Screws
  Electrical Panel Interior Hazards
  Testing Main Breakers or Fuses
  Inspect Breakers, Fuses, Circuits
  Testing Receptacles GFCIs AFCIs
  When to Shut Down Equipment
  Touching Electrical Equipment
  Guide to Electrical Test Equipment
  Using DMMs & VOMs Safely
  Voltage Measurement & Detection
  General Electrical Safety Suggestions
  Electrical Inspection Client Safety
SE CABLE SIZES vs AMPS
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
  PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN METHOD
  PASSIVE SOLAR HEAT PERFORMANCE
  PASSIVE SOLAR HOME, LOW COST
  PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SYSTEMS
  SLAB INSULATION, PASSIVE SOLAR
  SOLAR COLLECTOR AIR or GAS COLLECTION
  SOLAR COLLECTOR FILMS
  SOLAR COLLECTOR WOOD HOUSINGS
  SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
  SOLAR HOT WATER HEATERS
  SOLAR HOUSE EVALUATION
  SWIMMING POOL SOLAR HEAT, INDOOR
  SWIMMING POOL SOLAR HEAT, OUTDOOR DIAGNOSIS
SQUARE-D RECALLS
  Classified CIRCUIT BREAKER WARNING
  Square D GFCI Recall
  Square-D & Federal Pioneer AFCI Notice
  AFCI Recall in 2004
UNDERGROUND SERVICE LATERALS
VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT EQUIPMENT
WIND TURBINES
ZINSCO / SYLVANIA HAZARDS

More Information

InspectAPedia.comInspectAPedia ® Home & Site Map
InspectAPedia Blog - News Updates
Air Conditioning & Heat Pumps
Bookstore
Electrical
Environment
Exteriors
Heating
Home Inspection
Insulate Ventilate
Interiors
Mold Inspect/Test
Plumbing Water Septic
Roofing
Structure
Accuracy & Privacy Policies
Contact Us



Photograph of  ice on a building demonstrating that water has been pouring over the electrical meter and possilby
unsafe conditions including ice disturbance of the electrical service. Electrical System & Wiring Hazard Inspection, Detection, Cause, Remedy, Prevention, Electrical Inspection Services, Electrical Repair Services
InspectAPedia®  -    

  • Guide to Electrical Hazards in Buildings: inspection, detection, & repair advice
  • Aluminum Wiring Hazards
  • Electrical Inspection Procedures & electrical inspector safety
  • Electricians directories & listings
  • Federal Pacific Electric Stab-Lok, Square-D, Zinsco, & other electrical product warnings
  • Lightning protection system inspection & repair
  • Low voltage wiring, switches, controls, inspection, repair, replacement guide
  • Rust hazards in electrical panels
Our site offers impartial, unbiased advice without conflicts of interest. We will block advertisements which we discover or readers inform us are associated with bad business practices, false-advertising, or junk science. Our contact info is at InspectAPedia.com/appointment.htm.

This website provides information about a variety of electrical hazards in buildings, with articles focused on the inspection, detection, and reporting of electrical hazards and on proper electrical repair methods for unsafe electrical conditions.

We address safety for the electrical inspector, aluminum electrical wiring hazards, how to determine service voltage and ampacity, how to inspect electrical panels, and significant electrical hazards of Federal Pacific Electric Stab-Lok breakers and panels, Federal Pioneer product warnings, certain Square-D product concerns, Zinsco and Sylvania circuit breakers and panels, multi-wire branch circuit protection, inspection and repair of low voltage wiring systems, and proper installation of lightning protection systems on buildings.

Critique and content suggestions are invited. Credit is given to content editors and contributors. © Copyright 2010 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

ELECTRICAL HAZARDS, INSPECTION, REPAIRS - Electrical System & Wiring Hazard Inspection, Hazards, Repairs

Share this Article      

...

Technical Reviewers & References

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

ELECTRICAL INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS, REPAIR
AFCIs ARC FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERS
ALUMINUM SECs & WIRING
ALUMINUM WIRING HAZARDS
AMPS & VOLTS DETERMINATION
AMPACITY - the LIMITING FACTOR
APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS
BOOKSTORE - ELECTRICAL
CIRCUIT BREAKER FAILURE
Classified CIRCUIT BREAKER WARNING
DEFINITIONS of ELECTRICAL TERMS
DIRECTORY OF ELECTRICIANS
ELECTRIC METERS & METER BASES
ELECTRIC PANEL AMPACITY
ELECTRIC PANEL INSPECTION
ELECTRICAL BASICS
ENERGY SAVINGS in BUILDINGS
FEDERAL PACIFIC FPE HAZARDS
GROUND SYSTEM INSPECTION
HEATING COST FUEL & BTU Cost Table
HEAT, ELECTRIC
KNOB & TUBE WIRING
LIGHTNING PROTECTION
LOW VOLTAGE BUILDING WIRING
MAIN DISCONNECT AMPACITY
MULTI-WIRE CIRCUITS
PUSHMATIC - BULLDOG PANELS
RUST in ELECTRICAL PANELS
SAFETY FOR ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS
SE CABLE SIZES vs AMPS
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
SQUARE-D RECALLS
UNDERGROUND SERVICE LATERALS
VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT EQUIPMENT
ZINSCO / SYLVANIA HAZARDS
WIND TURBINES

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

  • Our recommended books about building design, inspection, and repair, and about indoor environment testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore.
  • Recommended books on electrical inspection, electrical wiring, electrical problem diagnosis, and electrical repair can be found in the Electrical Books section of the InspectAPedia Bookstore. (courtesy of Amazon.com)
  • * Safety Hazards and Safe Inspection Procedures for Electrical and Home Inspectors at Residential Electric Panels
  • Aluminum Wiring Information Website Aluminum Electrical Wiring Hazards and Repairs: in-depth authoritative info, photos, documents including selection of proper vs. ineffective repair methods. E.g.: Ideal 65 "Twister" purple connector fails in field and lab testing with aluminum wire.
  • Ampacity of an Electrical Service: How to determine the electrical service size or ampacity entering a building
  • Circuit Breaker, a bad one fails to trip failure at aluminum bus-to-circuit breaker connection - field report and photographs
  • Electrical Panels, How to Inspect in Buildings, safety for electrical inspectors, electrical panel, fusing, wiring defects, defective products. Inspection Class Presentation
  • Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Stab-Lok Circuit Breaker Panel Hazards Website - Latent fire hazards, in-depth authoritative research, documents, advice on Stab-Lok electric panel and circuit breaker failures and what to do when this equipment is found in buildings.
  • Lightning Strike Risk Assessment, Protection Systems & Services
  • Multi-wire branch circuit inspection and defects
  • Rust and Corrosion in Electrical Panels, A Study and Report on Frequency and Cause for Electrical and Home Inspectors at Residential Electric Panels
  • "Electrical System Inspection Basics," Richard C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985.
  • "Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. 4-77 1977 [Lots of sketches of older-type service panels.]
  • "How to plan and install electric wiring for homes, farms, garages, shops," Montgomery Ward Co., 83-850.
  • "Electrical System Inspection Basics," Richard C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985.
  • "Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. 4-77 1977 [Lots of sketches of older-type service panels.]
  • "How to plan and install electric wiring for homes, farms, garages, shops," Montgomery Ward Co., 83-850.
  • "Home Wiring Inspection," Roswell W. Ard, Rodale's New Shelter, July/August, 1985 p. 35-40.
  • "Evaluating Wiring in Older Minnesota Homes," Agricultural Extension Service, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108.
  • "Electrical Systems," A Training Manual for Home Inspectors, Alfred L. Alk, American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), 1987, available from ASHI. [DF NOTE: I do NOT recommend this obsolete publication, though it was cited in the original Journal article as it contains unsafe inaccuracies]
  • "Basic Housing Inspection," US DHEW, S352.75 U48, p.144, out of print, but is available in most state libraries.
  • Electrical System & Wiring Hazard Inspection, Detection, Cause, Remedy, Prevention - Main Electrical Page
  • ...
ELECTRICAL HAZARDS, INSPECTION, REPAIRS

More Information

InspectAPedia ® Home & Site Map
Air Conditioning
Bookstore
Electrical
Environment
Exteriors
Heating
Home Inspection
Insulate Ventilate
Interiors
Mold Inspect/Test
Plumbing Water Septic
Roofing
Structure
Accuracy & Privacy Policies
Contact Us

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

  • Links to our list of additional documents on electrical inspection, repair, and products
InspectAPedia.comInspectAPedia® Home & Site Map - Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair, & Problem Prevention Advice: In-depth research & advice on diagnosing, testing, correcting, & preventing building defects & indoor environmental hazards. Unbiased information, no conflicts of interest.
GO TO the MOLD and INDOOR ENVIRONMENT INFORMATION CENTER for in-depth advice on avoiding testing for or cleaning up mold and other indoor environmental hazards, odors, gases, contaminants
The Mold Information Center:
What to Do About Mold in Buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems
GO TO MOLD TEST KITS: This expert-recommended mold test kit is cheap and yet top performing *IF* you use a competent analysis laboratory!
Use this simple, economical mold test kit
by following our instructions on how to collect and mail mold samples to our lab
GO TO IAQ/MOLD-TEST LAB SERVICES: Mold, Pollen, indoor air quality, field and laboratory services by an expert.Environmental Inspection, Testing, & Diagnosis On-Site IAQ, Gas, Air Testing, Mold Investigation, Sick Building Diagnosis, Lab Services, & Remediation Plan Preparation - indoor air quality testing, problem source determination, supporting lab work, written remediation plan addressing removal of environmental and other hazards and prevention of their recurrence.
GO TO our PRE PURCHASE BUILDING INSPECTION SERVICES: Authoritative information for home buyers and home owners is included with your inspection.
Building Inspection, Problem Diagnosis
, Forensic Investigation & Testing, Repair Consulting

CONTACT Daniel Friedman - Dan is a senior ASHI home inspector, nationally recognized expert on building inspection, building failures, and sick building investigation
Contact Daniel Friedman for website content suggestions or for fee-paid consulting

02/04/2010 - 03/13/1988 - InspectAPedia.com/electric/electric.htm - © 2010 - 1988 Copyright Daniel Friedman All Rights Reserved - InspectAPedia® is a Registered U.S. Trademark