Home Inspector Electrical System Safety Hazards Flashcards
7 cards from real Home Inspector Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Home Inspector Electrical System Safety Hazards flashcards as text
What is the hazard of using a 25-amp fuse in a fuse box to replace a repeatedly blowing 15-amp fuse?
Answer: The overcurrent protection is defeated, allowing the 15-amp wire to overheat and cause a fire
Over-fusing bypasses the wire's protection; the fuse will not blow even when the wire carries dangerous levels of current.
An inspector finds NM cable (Romex) run through a metal stud without a plastic bushing or grommet. What is the hazard?
Answer: Sharp metal edges can cut into the cable insulation over time, causing a short or arc fault
Metal stud knockouts have sharp edges that can abrade Romex insulation with building movement, eventually causing a fault.
What does the inspector look for to identify a 'split bus' panel, and why can it be confusing?
Answer: A panel with two separate bus sections — one fed by a 240V main and one by large breakers — with no single main disconnect, requiring up to six breaker operations to shut off all power
Split-bus panels predate the single main disconnect rule; inspectors must identify them because multiple breaker operations are needed to de-energize the panel.
A garage has a 240V outlet with no GFCI protection. Under current NEC requirements, what should be reported?
Answer: GFCI protection is required for all 15- and 20-amp, 125V and 250V receptacles in garages
Recent NEC editions expanded GFCI requirements to include 250V receptacles in garages, not just standard 120V outlets.
What is the concern when an inspector finds multiple circuits sharing a single neutral conductor (a multi-wire branch circuit) without a handle-tied breaker?
Answer: If one hot leg is de-energized alone, the neutral remains live, creating a shock hazard during servicing
Without a handle tie, one breaker can be turned off while the shared neutral remains energized from the other circuit, shocking anyone who believes the wire is safe to handle.
An inspector finds an outdoor receptacle with a cover that is only rated for 'closed while in use.' What is inadequate about this?
Answer: Current NEC requires 'in-use' (bubble) covers that protect the outlet even while a cord is plugged in
NEC now requires in-use covers that maintain a weatherproof seal even with a cord plugged in, since flat covers leave the outlet exposed to moisture during use.
What hazard does improperly rated wire insulation in a high-temperature location (such as inside a luminaire) present?
Answer: Insulation can melt or char, causing a short circuit or fire within the fixture
Using standard insulation rated at 60°C in fixtures that reach higher temperatures causes insulation breakdown, leading to shorts and potential fire.