Home Inspector Test Home Inspector Electrical System Safety Hazards 5

Question 1

What is the hazard of using a 25-amp fuse in a fuse box to replace a repeatedly blowing 15-amp fuse?

Accepted Answer

The overcurrent protection is defeated, allowing the 15-amp wire to overheat and cause a fire

Answer

Over-fusing bypasses the wire's protection; the fuse will not blow even when the wire carries dangerous levels of current.

Question 2

An inspector finds NM cable (Romex) run through a metal stud without a plastic bushing or grommet. What is the hazard?

Accepted Answer

Sharp metal edges can cut into the cable insulation over time, causing a short or arc fault

Answer

Metal stud knockouts have sharp edges that can abrade Romex insulation with building movement, eventually causing a fault.

Question 3

What does the inspector look for to identify a 'split bus' panel, and why can it be confusing?

Accepted 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

Answer

Split-bus panels predate the single main disconnect rule; inspectors must identify them because multiple breaker operations are needed to de-energize the panel.

Question 4

A garage has a 240V outlet with no GFCI protection. Under current NEC requirements, what should be reported?

Accepted Answer

GFCI protection is required for all 15- and 20-amp, 125V and 250V receptacles in garages

Answer

Recent NEC editions expanded GFCI requirements to include 250V receptacles in garages, not just standard 120V outlets.

Question 5

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?

Accepted Answer

If one hot leg is de-energized alone, the neutral remains live, creating a shock hazard during servicing

Answer

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.

Home Inspector Test Practice Test

Home Inspector Test Practice Test

Home Inspector Test Home Inspector Electrical System Safety Hazards 5