Often many do not think of that innocent extension cord as a potential safety issue. From the Electrical Safety Foundation they estimate that roughly 3300 fires in homes are attributed to the use of extension cords. Here are some things to remember when using an extension cord: Use one design Read more…
Neatly run down and around the wall still will not make this correct. This is not the way to do a proper branch circuit extension. Use of flexible cord material is a no-no also. Here is the code on flexible cords- 400.8 Uses Not Permitted Unless specifically permitted in 400.7, Read more…
Not in my Raceway!! You should never install feeders or branch circuits in the same raceway/conduit as your service conductors. If a fault ever happened between the service conductors and the feeder/branch circuit conductors you may not have overcurrent protection for the feeder or branch-circuit conductors which can result in Read more…
As home inspectors I find that we often see some conditions that many in a specific trade may not. Recently during a home inspection a truly odd one happened. As I was tripping an exterior GFCI protected receptacles, as I have done hundreds and hundreds of times. I trip the Read more…
Many will have issues with what is referred to as “Edison-Base” fuses because they can be tampered with so easily. Then then there is just convenience, when a circuit trips with any fuse you have to replace the fuse. What often happens in these older installation is the fuse gets Read more…
By David Harsche, CMECP™ Federal Pacific Electric Circuit Breaker Demystified! FPE used dissimilar metals which creates corrosion, impedance, and excessive heat that lead to failure. (1) Improper routing of the conductor could prevent the wire to contract under a fault which can cause the breaker not to Open. In other Read more…
Performing to your Standards and Beyond- Electrical Systems As a Washington State home inspector I certain obligations. One very important item is the reporting of certain electrical service panels. From the Washington State Home Inspectors Standards of Practice WAC 308-408C-110 Electrical System (1)The inspector will: (section (h)) Report on any Read more…