Healthy Habits for Home Electrical Inspection

Lynn Blasso Access Thermography Services, Inc.

ABSTRACT

This presentation highlights what I have seen in the industry and in certain training classes with regards to residential electrical safety.

INTRODUCTION

Electrical Safety on most residential electrical inspection jobs, as I have noticed, is basically ignored. As a master electrician, I have seen, on a first-hand basis, how mechanics have become complacent with regard to safety. We tie in circuits hot, test live circuits while leaning against something metal or standing in a puddle of water, all the while not even thinking we could get seriously hurt or die just because we’ve done it a thousand times before and nothing ever happened.

In residential work, there seems to be a feeling of, you can’t get hurt like you can in commercial or industrial wiring. Although I don’t feel that this is true, I think most people in the field act like it is true. I’ve seen circuits arc and flame on jobs in homes and not have the breaker trip.

Home inspectors are at a particular disadvantage if they don’t have an electrical background and familiarity with safety procedures and liability that can occur if something goes wrong if they remove a panel cover. Here are some safety tips.

Figure 1. Before removing a panel, remove your jewelry.

Figure 2. Take off your watch, wedding band, bracelet, or any other item that might get caught on something or be conductive of electricity.

Don’t Stand in Water

Figure. 3. Examine the floor for water. Don’t stand in it.

Be Aware of your Surroundings, Don’t get Distracted

Figure 4. Look behind you, around you, and above you. Don’t lean against anything metal.

Figure 5. Don’t let the customer distract you, touch you or be near the panel during inspection. This is for your safety and theirs.

Don’t Touch Anything Unless your are Qualified to Do So

Figure 6. Look at the interior and the condition of the wiring and splicing. Do not touch any wiring unless you are a “Qualified Person”.

A “Qualified Person” as defined in the 2005 National Electrical Code is, “One who has skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and installations and has received safety training on the hazards involved.”

Figure 7. Take your IR and digital pictures. Visually inspect any anomalies seen. Make a written note of such items. Defer to a Master Electrician to follow up on your findings.

Reinstall Equipment with Care

Figure 8. Reinstall electrical panel cover.

(Figure 8) Make sure that no wires are in the way of the panel cover screws. The panel cover screws should be flat ended and not drywall screws. Use caution when putting the cover back on. Do not allow the customer to help you. If a screw makes contact with a live conductor, the panel could become energized. Remember; concentrate on what you’re doing. Electricity can kill.

SUMMARY

Knowledge is power. Recognize potential problems before they happen, and know what to do if something goes wrong. If you’re not familiar with working on or in a live panel, even if it’s just to take a good thermal picture, than get someone who is. Work safe. Your life and those around you depend on it.

REFERENCES

National Electrical Code 70E

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author would like to thank the Infrared Training Center at FLIR Systems.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lynn is a Level II Thermographer and has been using the technology for three years. She has been a Local 25 IBEW electrician in New York for 24 years. She is the owner of Access Thermography Services, Inc.