Sub-Panels Can Be Confusing: Don’t Let Them Be!

Use This Flow Chart To Get Them Right! The way most home inspectors are trained to understand the difference between sub-panel wiring and main panel wiring is that once you have a sub-panel, the equipment grounds (green covered or bare wires) should be separated from the neutral conductors (the white ones) and the neutrals should not be bonded to the panel and would remain “floating,” while the grounds should be bonded to the panel. This is not a half-bad place...

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AFCI Protection and Alterations to Your Residential Electric System

I have heard it said that the development of our modern electrical system is the single greatest engineering achievement of mankind. While that is a bold statement, I find it difficult to conceive of technology that has more drastically changed our lives; stop for a minute and visualize life without electricity. Not only has our electrical grid revolutionized life on earth, but we have managed to do this in a remarkably safe way, especially in North America, where electricians are licensed...

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Understanding Open Grounds and Options for Repair

What is the equipment ground? The equipment ground in residential wiring is often thought of as the “third prong” in an electrical receptacle and the third, bare conductor in an electrical circuit. Residential wiring systems will function properly without an equipment ground but these conductors make our electrical systems safer by providing a low resistance path for fault current to return to the electric panel and trip the breaker to disable a dangerous fault condition. Houses built prior to the adoption...

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Generator Transfer Switch Found During a Home Inspection

Generators and Transfer Switch interfaces are not operated during a standard inspection. Generators are installed to provide backup electrical power. These systems can be great in emergencies, but they can have safety issues with how they are connected to residential wiring systems and warrant evaluation by licensed electrical contractors prior to use. I attempt, through visual inspection, to identify some of these concerns. Exact procedures for operating these systems should be posted near the electrical transfer switch. Never operate an...

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5 Common Electrical Safety Repairs

Easy Electrical Repairs and Improvements to Keep Your Home Safe If you live in a building built prior to the 1880’s, you need to get your head around the fact that your house pre-dates residential electric service. Imagine life without electricity in your house? Hard to fathom these days. In the last 140 years, we have radically improved our ability to safely harness and deliver electricity to residential construction and the safety improvements keep coming. Even houses that are just 4...