We usually treat the electrical system in the home as if it is completely invisible. After all, as long as it works, we never think about it. But if it goes out, then we start to care!

That is why it is a good idea to do an electrical inspection in your home every few years. You may be able to ward off potential problems and save yourself money in the long run.

Here are some simple guidelines on electrical inspections:

  1. Price Can Vary: What the inspector charges will vary depending upon the code in your area and how large the house is. Most inspectors will take down light fixtures, inspect every outlet, and do a general inspection based upon safety and any violations of the National Electrical Code.
  2. Safety First: Most inspectors will always focus on any potential safety problems first in the inspection. They will look for junction boxes missing the covers, outlets that are not properly grounded, and outlets that should have a GFI to prevent shocks. An inspection from our electrician in Jacksonville, FL, can help you to avoid problems in this area.
  3. Matching Wires: Inspectors should verify that the outlets, wires and circuit breakers all match to the right types of amperage for that given circuit. If they don’t, there is a risk of overloading the circuit. This is in fact one of the biggest fire hazards in the typical electrical system in the home. Improper wire size is a common code violation because builders are on a tight budget and will cut corners.
  4. Testing Panel: Any good inspection of the electrical system should focus on the main panel and each circuit breaker. Each breaker should be tight in the main panel.

When you have an inspection, make sure you get any issue in writing, and you should ask which items are most critical for safety.