Understanding Electrical Inspections: The Ultimate Guide From An Electrician Near Me In | Grapevine, TX

10/24/2022

An electrical inspector checks the wiring and electrical connections as well as newly installed electrical components to ensure they are code compliant and safe. Surprisingly many houses in the United States are not up to code; thus, it’s not shocking that electrical distribution is among the top five leading causes of home fires.

As a preventive safety measure, homeowners are advised to schedule an electrical inspection every year, especially those living in old houses or whose homes have undergone a major renovation.

An electrical inspection by a licensed electrician near me in Grapevine, TX, can reveal underlying defects and problems that could save your home from electrical fires and keep you and your family safe from electrocution. Below are some things an electrician near me in the city will look for during an inspection.

Damaged Electrical Wires

Over time, electrical wires become visible after wearing out or when broken, causing an electric shock when you touch them. Electrical wires are the most electrical component that fails inspections.

An electrician near me in Grapevine, TX, checks for wires popping out from their protective coating, exposed to moist areas, dangling from walls or ceilings, or frayed. The expert will also look for wrapped or hidden wires around awkward spaces.

Moreover, the electrical inspector notes any dangerous wiring and recommends the appropriate fixes. If your home still uses aluminum wiring or non-professionals did the installation, the contractor will recommend that your entire house be rewired.

But if the wiring has minor damage, a simple fix will suffice. Only a professional electrician near me in Grapevine can detect if your wiring meets the safety standards established by the NEC.

Defective Electric Meters

A meter that fails to record or registers inaccurate data is faulty. This happens when your meter burns or its battery malfunctions. Newly approved induction meters have a lifespan of up to ten years, while static meters could last up to twenty years.

Most houses have digital electric meters that can be read quickly and make fewer errors. Unlike old meters, homeowners can know if their digital meter is faulty without waiting for an inspection. If something is wrong with the digital electric meter, it will display “battery,” “fault,” or “error.” Some even have a warning light, allowing you to notify your electric company promptly before your monthly meter readings are sent.

The maintenance of the electric meter box is the responsibility of the homeowners. When conducting an inspection, an electrician near me in town looks for water damage and rust signs since water can seep from the meter to the main electric panel.

In addition, technicians check if the meter is installed correctly and if its parts have not become defective through wear and tear. If the meter is old, the expert will advise having it replaced.

Installing a meter would take about an hour, and the gas and power must be switched off for at least 30 minutes.

Faulty Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) Outlets

Electrical inspectors are required to inspect GFCIs as well as circuit breakers that are considered GFCIs or using a GFCI tester. This assessment also includes lighting fixtures and switches as well as receptacles that are regarded as arc-fault circuit interrupters.

For starters, a GFCI is a device that breaks the circuit when there is an imbalance between the outgoing and incoming current. The connected device will not work when a GFCI trips since it will not receive power.

If a GFCI trips at the start of a circuit, it cuts power to all the outlets and lights on that circuit. It functions by tracking the flow of current to sense fluctuations. Objects other than plugs and water in the outlet are some of the irregularities that a GFCI detects.

An electrician near me in Texas double-checks the GFCI working conditions since they are essential to home safety. An outlet that works appropriately will read 110 to 120 volts.

Manufacturers suggest that homeowners have their breakers and receptacles tested periodically to ensure the electrical components are working properly.

An Overloaded Circuit Breaker

The electrical inspection entails checking whether the circuit is at risk of overload and if the circuit breaker is working correctly. An electrician near me in Grapevine will check for corrosion, water damage, or any other mechanical and structural problems that could lead to sparks or fire. The expert can also check if the breaker maintains safe current levels to prevent circuit overload.

You can fix an overloaded circuit breaker by removing some devices from the overloaded circuit to another general-purpose circuit. After that, the technician can replace the fuse or flip the circuit breaker on.

Circuits may have different types or sizes of breakers, wires, fuses, and outlets. Overloading the electrical circuit could cause a short circuit igniting a fire. In an unbalanced load, more power is drawn on the one-panel side than the other, which could make the electrical components overheat, thus overloading the panel.

Presence of Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If you are selling your house, you need to have a certificate of compliance from the local fire department in your area that indicates that your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms meet the conditions for a transfer.

An electrician near me in Texas will check if your house has enough alarms and if they are in good condition. If the alarms do not meet the requirements, they’ll need to be replaced.

Schedule an Electrical Inspection Today with Buffalo Electric.

A meticulous electrical inspection from an electrician near me in Grapevine, TX, will reveal issues that need to be addressed in your home. Whether buying a new house or remodeling your current property, you need to ensure that it’s in excellent condition.

If you need an electrical inspection for your home, you can trust Buffalo Electric. Our electricians are experts in the profession and will ensure your home is running efficiently. You can also rely on us for electrical upgrades, repairs, code violation corrections, and outlet replacement. Learn more about what our company offers by calling us today.

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