An Electrical Inspection Violations Checklist is designed to ensure that everything regarding electrical systems is in perfect condition and operation to minimize safety or fire hazards. As you walk around the interior and exterior of the structure, look for any electrical violations that may represent a safety hazard.
If there is an outside pole lamp, check to make sure the wires leading to the lamp are buried. If there is a portion of the wire exposed, look to see whether it is stamped UF – Sunlight Resistant. This marking indicated that it can be used as exterior wire. Most homeowners, however, use interior-type wire as exterior-wire, without realizing the difference.
This practice can be unsafe or dangerous because sun, rain or soil conditions can cause the insulation covering the wire to deteriorate, thus exposing the conductors. If there is an outside pole lamp, turn it on to see whether it is operational. If not, the condition may be as easy to correct as changing a light bulb, but it may also be caused by faulty underground wiring.
Electrical Inspection Violations – Protection Against Water Penetration
Check to see whether all the outside electrical outlets have exterior-type covers to provide protection against water penetration, and keep in mind that it is recommended that all outside lights be protected with ground-fault interrupters. It is not a retroactive requirement, but it is advisable.
Inside the house, look for open junction boxes, loose wires and exposed wiring and splices, particularly in the basement. If the wiring seems makeshift or seems to have been modified by a non-professional, the seller should provide a Board of Fire Underwriters’ certificate of approval for the electrical wiring currently in the house. Note that depending on the area, the Board of Fire Underwriters might be called by a different name or a private commercial service might be used.
Lastly, as you walk around the house, check whether all of the receptacle outlets and switches have cover plates. In addition, when using an extension cord the homeowner often runs the cord through the inside of a partition wall. Many homeowners are not aware of the implications, but this practice is one of the most common electrical code violations. If you come across this condition during your electrical inspection, record it on your worksheet so a permanent outlet is installed if necessary.