Tri Value Consultants / SPREI Page of Electrical Defects with Pictures

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Electrical System Defects and Issues
A sampling of the multitude of Electrical Defects we have found.

(Click the picture for more detailed descriptions)

Exterior Main Electric Cable DAMAGED Electrical Service Cables on the exterior MUST be intact and WATERTIGHT. This cable needs Replacement!	Improper Wiring / Finish All wiring MUST be 1.5 inches away from the finished surface - so they do not get nailed into! This wiring is a potential Fire/Shock Hazard!	Bad Panel Placement Electric panels have certain clearance requirements around and in front of them. NO SUMP PUMP can be installed here! (Especially this one with an OPEN HOLE!)
Exposed Wires SHOCK/FIRE RISK This area (under a kitchen sink) has exposed wires that need to be in a junction box for fire/shock protection.	OUCH! Outlet too close to shower! This Outlet is TOO CLOSE to the shower, allowing someone in the shower to reach over and touch it. THIS IS A SERIOUS SHOCK HARZARD!	Electric Service Improper Clearances The electric "Drip Loop" should be 10 feet over a "walkable surface" such as this balcony Joe is on. THIS IS A SHOCK HAZARD
Inaccessible Electric Panel This electric panel is TOO HIGH (Note the need of a ladder for Joe)! Electric panels must be properly accessible.	Missing Junction Box This light fixture is installed without a Junction Box and is on old Knob and Tube style Ungrounded wiring. This is a potential FIRE/SHOCK risk.	Damaged Wiring The Wire at this attic opening is damaged and needs replacement. The wire is also improperly installed between the ceiling sheetrock and framing - Where it can be nailed through.
Bathroom Light Wiring Hazard There is exposed spliced wiring over the bathroom vanity light. This is a shock and fire risk.	No, McGuyver, NO! Duct tape has NO safe use in the electrical system! This junction box is covered in duct tape instead of a proper safe cover.	Missing Hole Plugs The open hole in this Junction box needs a special hole "Plug" designed to prevent shock and/or fire from exiting the hole.
Outlet on Flat Surface Outlets installed like this one on a flat surface can allow water and debris to enter the outlet and risk shock. Such outlets should have a special "floor plug" style cover and GFCI shock protection	You must be THIS TALL... Electric meters need to be accessible. Only the tallest of NBA players could read this one (Get the stilts!)	Open Junction Box All Junction Boxes need covers.
Inaccessible Electric Panel Electric panels have very specific clearances needed around, over, and in front of them. THIS PANEL CANNOT BE CLOSED OR ITS COVER REMOVED!!	Cut Panel You CANNOT cut or otherwise modify electric panels! IF IT DOESN'T FIT - YOU CAN'T DO IT!	Watch your step! Light fixtures CANNOT block a stairway like this one is doing!
It Fits?? Some wires (Such as this BX metal wire) NEED to be installed in METAL BOXES made for them.	Corrosion and Double Tapping Any Corrosion or moisture signs in a panel is bad - and the upper breaker CANNOT have 2 wires on it's "lug"	Loose Switch The switch is loose and needs correction
Old 120 Volt Electric Service This is an outdated 2 wire 120 volt electric service. These should be replaced whenever found (they are nearly always undersized as well!)	Recessed Outlet... Outlet (and switch/other) boxes MUST be installed FLUSH with the finished wall - as open gaps into the wall CAN ALLOW FIRE TO SPREAD.	Knob and Tube on EXTERIOR This is an old knob and tube wire service for a barn. It poses a POTENTIAL SHOCK AND FIRE RISK.
Why??? Outlets must be installed OUTSIDE electric panels - NOT IN THEM!	ELECTRIC Bad Ground in panel_result 034. Only APPROVED ground lugs and busses can be used as ground connections. THIS IS IMPROPER.	Home Sweet Home... Mice will often nest INSIDE electric panels when open knockouts allow entry AND CAN CAUSE DAMAGE!
Joe's in TROUBLE! ALL electric service drops and drip loops MUST BE 10 FEET OVER ANY WALKABLE SURFACE!	knob and tube romes open splice from web Spliced wiring outside a junction box IS A FIRE/SHOCK HAZARD	Loose Electric "Head" The electric main exterior cable's to "Head" must be secured to the building.
Poor Notching! When wires are installed in walls, they must be either 1 1/2" behind the finished wall OR installed in properly cut notches and protected by a 12 gauge metal plate - to prevent nails and screws from damaging the wire. This is NOT a proper install! (Sheetrock was being installed during the inspection - several poor notches like this were already covered!	Poor Electric Main Service All electric Main Services (The main wire that connects to the power companies lines) should be installed with: The Service Drop (Wire from the street) 2" below the cable on the house, a Drip Loop (a hanging loop of wire that sheds water), and be large wnough for the house (This was only a 40 amp servcie) This service will LIKELY allow water to eneter the electric cable and cause damage to the system.

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