Electrical systems tend to drop in value over time due to the degradation of the equipment. Effects of this can range from vibrations and temperature changes to affecting environmental elements.
Unfortunately, you can’t control all causes of electrical degradation, but keeping your electrical system in good condition makes it easy to pass electrical inspections and keep your family safe.
Here are some things you can do to ensure your home passes electrical inspections.
Pre-requisites
1. Consult A Qualified Electrician
Before jumping into any DIY operations, you should consult the advice of a licensed electrician. The professional will assess the state of your electrical system and provide suggestions and guidelines on any necessary repairs. Qualified Denver electricians can provide pre-inspection consultations that help you better understand what to expect during inspections.
2. Get Familiar With Local Requirements
Before consulting an inspector, you need to ensure all your electrical systems are in place. Residential electrical requirements vary from one local government to another, so it is essential to know what guidelines are expected to be met in your area. For example, in Denver, any premises with furnaces need to meet specific conditions to pass the inspection. Electrical panels connecting to the furnaces need enough space to install a two-pole circuit breaker.
3. Obtain The Required Permits
To ensure that your electrical project is legal, you need to obtain the necessary permits from your local authorities. These permits help streamline the whole inspection process.
The state of Colorado requires that a homeowner or electrician obtain the Colorado State Electrical permits. Fortunately, Arvada professional electricians have the necessary permits to help you with any electrical work or consultation.
What You Can Do
1. Ensure Exposed Wiring Is Fixed
Exposed wires are dangerous and are among the first things an electrical inspector looks for, as these wires can easily start fires and cause electrical shocks. You can DIY this task by wrapping the exposed part with electrical tape or twisting the exposed wire strands together.
Although basic repairs on exposed wire are possible, they can be dangerous. This is why if you are in any doubt or concerned about the risks of undertaking such tasks, you can enlist the help of well-trained and licensed persons.
2. Test GFCI Outlets
A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) will ensure the current flowing through your system is kept in check. These outlets are designed to reduce electrocutions. However, if there is an imbalance, it can trip your circuit.
You can test a GFCI outlet by pressing the button labelled “TEST”. You should hear an audible click followed by the light going off. Afterwards, press the “RESET” button to return the outlet to its usable state.
If nothing happens, there’s something wrong with the outlet and you need to contact a local electrical contractor.
3. Install Proper Circuit Breakers
There are many types of breakers used in house wiring from residual current circuit breakers and arc fault circuit interrupters to mounded case circuit breakers. You need to find out if you have the right one in accordance with local rules and regulations.
4. Ensure Alarms are Working
Another thing an electrical inspector is sure to check is whether or not your fire detectors are working. The best your electrician can do before the test is to see that smoke detectors and related alarms are fully functional.
You too can test the alarms and the detectors. Just press and hold their test button for at least 5 seconds. After pressing, you should be able to hear the alarm sound. If you can’t hear the sound, or if it’s weak, you need to change the batteries. If you notice any fault issues with the alarm system or are unsure about trying out the test yourself, Arvada electricians near you can always help with that.
5. Install Tamper Resistant Receptacles
Tamper Resistant Receptacles (TRRs) are no different from normal outlets, but their key role is in their added layer of protection. TRRs have a built-in safety shutter that prevents children from being shocked by blocking any foreign object from reaching the circuit. Having these in your electrical system is a huge advantage during inspections.
6. Ensure You Have Proper Fire Blocking
Holes and gaps in your wall and ceiling allow fire to spread quickly. Sealing these gaps can prevent or at least slow down the spread of fire, giving you more time to deal with the situation.
The best materials to seal these gaps are fiberglass or expanding foam. You can contact your electrician near Denver to help identify cavities near your electrical system.
7. Ensure all Wire Ends are Capped
Capping wire ends ensures that exposed ends are properly covered to prevent short circuits and electrical shocks. Even if there is no exposed end, it is always recommended to cap all wire ends. You can use wire nuts of the corresponding size to seal off the ends.
8. Repair or Replaced Over Fused Circuit Breaker
When a circuit breaker is over-fused, it can’t carry electricity safely through the wires. This situation can overheat and melt wires which leads to an electrical fire. The issue is usually caused by breakers being too big or faulty electrical installation.
Signs of an over-fused breaker include
- Circuit breaker being constantly tripped.
- Light brightness is not consistent.
If you suspect your circuit breaker is over-fused, contact a licensed electrician near you as soon as you can.
Trust ElectriCall For All Your Electrical Needs
For over 20 years, ElectriCall has served Arvada residents and business owners with quality electrical services. You can rely on us to get your home in top condition ahead of your electrical inspection.