Electrical Systems Inspection Flashcards
7 cards from real CHI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Electrical Systems Inspection flashcards as text
What is the purpose of an arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) breaker?
Answer: To detect dangerous arcing conditions that can cause fires
AFCI breakers detect the electrical signature of arc faults—unintended arcing in wiring—and trip the circuit to prevent fires.
A home inspector finds a 240-volt dryer circuit protected by a 60-amp breaker with 10 AWG wire. What is the deficiency?
Answer: The wire is undersized for a 60-amp overcurrent device
10 AWG copper wire is rated for 30 amps maximum; a 60-amp breaker provides inadequate overcurrent protection for this conductor.
Which location requires GFCI protection for receptacles under current NEC requirements?
Answer: All 125-volt receptacles within 6 feet of a kitchen sink
The NEC requires GFCI protection for receptacles within 6 feet of kitchen sinks to protect against shock from water contact.
A home inspector observes open knockouts in the bottom of an electrical panel. What is the primary safety concern?
Answer: Both pest intrusion and loss of the panel's required enclosure integrity
Open knockouts compromise the panel's enclosure, allowing pest entry and contact with live conductors, and creating a shock and fire hazard.
What does the inspector look for to confirm that a 3-wire (black, white, red) multi-wire branch circuit is wired correctly?
Answer: The two hot conductors should be on opposite phase legs with a shared neutral
A multi-wire branch circuit requires the two hots to be on opposite legs so the shared neutral carries only the imbalance current, not a doubled load.
In which situation is it acceptable for a home inspector to find a non-metallic sheathed cable (Romex) stapled too tightly?
Answer: It is never acceptable — over-stapling can damage insulation and conductors
Over-stapling compresses the cable sheathing and conductor insulation, which can damage wiring integrity and create a potential fault hazard.
A home inspector finds a junction box hidden inside a wall with no accessible cover plate. What should be reported?
Answer: Junction boxes must remain accessible and have a cover plate per NEC
The NEC requires all junction boxes to be accessible and covered to allow inspection and prevent contact with live connections.