Home Inspection > ITAZ RQ: Electrical > Flashcards

ITAZ RQ: Electrical Flashcards

(84 cards)

Study These Flashcards
1
Q

Electrical:

The Service size is determined by the amperage and the voltage rating of the service. (True or False)

A
  • True
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Electrical:

The Service size is determined by the amperage and the voltage rating of the service. (True or False)

A
  • True
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Electrical:

List five safe practices to protect you during your inspection.

A
  • Rubber sole shoes
  • Don’t stand in water
  • Use insulated tools
  • Don’t let your client stand beside you or in front of you when
    opening the panel.
  • Use voltage detector
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Electrical:

The size of the fuse should be:

A
  • Equal to or less than service size
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Electrical:
The wire size for the service drop must be the same as the wire size for the service entrance conductors. (True or False)

A
  • False
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Electrical:

How many wires would you typically find in a 240 volt service drop?

A
  • Typically 3, 2 hot and Neutral
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Electrical:

List seven common problems with service drops.

A
  • Overhead wires too low
  • Damaged or frayed wires.
  • Trees or vines interfering with wires
  • Wires too close to doors or windows.
  • Wires not well secured to the house.
  • Poor connection between service drop and service entrance.
  • Inadequate clearance from roofs.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Electrical:

Service laterals are overhead or underground?

A
  • Underground
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Electrical:

All service entrance conductors must be attached to the building above roof level. (True or False)

A
  • False
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Electrical:

List 10 common problems with service entrance conductors.

A
  • No drip loop
  • No mast head
  • Mast head not weather-tight
  • Mast or conduit bent
  • Mast or conduit rusted
  • Mast rotted (if wood)
  • Mast conduit or cable not well secured
  • Mast conduit or cable not weather-tight
  • Conduit or cable not well sealed at house/wall penetration
  • Cable frayed, damaged or covered by siding
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Electrical:

List 5 common areas of water penetration.

A
  • Conduit joints
  • Mast head
  • Roof flashing
  • Meter base
  • House entry
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Electrical:

The size off the electrical service has to be reported according to the Standards (True or False)

A

True

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Electrical:
Implications of an undersized service include:
a. Shock hazard
b. Fire hazard
c. shock and fire hazard
d. melting insulation
e. Nuisance tripping of the main fuses or breakers

A
  • e. Nuisance tripping of the main fuses or breakers
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q 
Electrical:
The main fuses or breakers are most likely to trip:
a. During cold weather
b. During hot weather
c. After 11:00pm
d. When many large appliances are on
e. When most of the lights are on.
A
  • d. When many large appliances are on
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q 
Electrical:
Which of the following is a reliable way to identify the service size?
a. the size of the service drop wires
b. The distribution panel rating
c. The service box rating
d. The service entrance wires
e. The service entrance conduit
A
  • d. The service entrance wires
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Electrical:

A 200-amp service will have two 100-amp fuses in the service panel. (True or False)

A
  • False
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Electrical:

There can be up to 10 throws to disconnect all of the electricity in the house. (True or False)

A
  • False
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Electrical:

List 15 common conditions you might find in a service box.

A
  • Poor access or location
  • Loose
  • Rust or water in the box
  • Unprotected opening
  • Damaged parts
  • Overheating
  • Incorrect fuse or breaker size; box rating too small
  • Service entrance wires exposed in the house
  • Poor connections
  • Illegal taps
  • Neutral wire by-passes service box
  • Fused neutral wire
  • Fuses upstream of disconnect switch
  • Obsolete box
  • Exterior box not weather-tight
  • Box not rated for aluminum
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Electrical:

From the point where the ground and the neutral wires connect, there are two paths to ground. What are they?

A
  • Through the neutral service wire or through the grounding electrode conductor to water pipes or ground rods.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Electrical:

What is the advantage of a 240 volt circuit?

A
  • More electricity can flow at lower amperage ratings
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Electrical:

What size wire is found on most general purpose outlets for lights and receptacles?

A
  • 14 awg
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Electrical:

List 14 conditions found in panels of all types.

A
  • Obsolete and/or fused neutrals
  • Damaged panel or componets
  • Loose or missing door
  • Openings in panel
  • Panel too small
  • Overheating
  • Rust or water in panel
  • Circuits not labeled
  • Panel crowded
  • Poor access
  • Upside down
  • Not suitable for aluminum wiring
  • Poor location
  • Exterior panel not weather-tight
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Electrical:

List two different branch wire materials you might see.

A
  • Copper

- Aluminum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Electrical:

List two different cable types you might see.

A
  • NM, Romex, Loomex
  • UF
  • BX (AC-90), armored cable
  • Knob and tube
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Electrical: | What is the difference between insulation and sheathing?
- Insulation is around the individual wires, and sheathing forms the cables by wrapping around the insulated wires.
26
Electrical: | When a wire leaves a box, how far should it run before it is supported or secured?
- 12 inches
27
Electrical: | Running along the length of the wire, how far apart should the supports be?
- Every 4.5 feet
28
Electrical: | What should you look for when inspecting branch wiring run through or parallel to steel studs?
Wire may be damaged by sharp edges of steel studs. Wires passing through holes should be protected with grommets, for example. Wires running parallel to studs should stand off the studs.
29
Electrical: | Give five examples of poor locations for wiring.
30
Electrical: | List 15 common branch circuit wire conditions.
- Damaged - Not well secured - Loose connections - Open splices - Wires too close to ducts, pipes, vents, chimneys and flues - Wires too close to the edge of studs or joists - Wires run through steel studs without protection - Exposed wires on walls or ceilings - Exposed wires in attics - Indoor cable used outdoors - Buried cable not rated for buried use - Household wiring used as extension cord or extension cord used as permanent wiring - Undersized wire - Improper color coding - Abandoned wire
31
Electrical: | List three types of connectors.
- Terminal screws - Push-in connectors - Solderless connectors
32
Electrical: | What is an open splice?
- Two wires that have been connected outside a j-box
33
Electrical: | Describe how knob-and-tube wiring is visibly different from modern cable.
- The black and white wires are separate, so the circuit wires usually run in pairs. There are ceramic tubes protecting the wires where they pass through joists or studs. There are ceramic knobs where the wires change direction.
34
Electrical: | List four common conditions with knob-and-tube wiring.
- Connections not in boxes - Brittle wire, insulation or sheathing - Wire buried in insulation - Fused neutrals
35
Electrical: | List two common conditions found with aluminum wiring.
- Connectors not compatible with aluminum - No anti-oxidant grease on stranded wires - Overheating
36
Electrical: | How would you identify aluminum wiring?
- The conductor itself is silver colored. The sheathing usually has the word Aluminum, Alum or AL
37
Electrical: | When was it used?
- From the mid 60's to the late 70's
38
Electrical: | List three characteristics specific to aluminum wire that contribute to the problem conditions you may find.
- Loose connections that arc. Tends to creep out from under terminal screws - Forms a rust (oxide) that is an electrical insulator. Aluminum wire connections require anti-oxidant grease/paste to prevent this - Aluminum is softer than copper and easier to damage when working with the wire - Aluminum was, in some of the early wire, a low quality material, prone to weakness and breaking
39
Electrical: | List 12 common lighting problems found in houses.
- Damaged or loose - Overheating - Inoperative - Obsolete - Not grounded - Missing - Poor stairway lighting - Conventional lights used in wet areas - Improper recessed light used in installations - Improper coset lighting - Heat lamps over doors - Isolating links needed on pull chains
40
Electrical: | How are lights tested?
- Lights are tested by turning them on and off by their switches
41
Electrical: | Describe 14 problems commonly associated with recessed lights.
- Damaged - Loose - Overheating - Ungrounded outlets - Open neutral or open hot connections - Reversed polarity outlets - Inoperative - Wrong type receptacle - No GFI's - Overheated neutral on split receptacles - Worn receptacles - Broken pin or blade in slots - Not enough receptacles - Too far from basins
42
Electrical: | Why should heat lamps not be located over doors?
- Because they present a fire hazard to materials that maybe draped over them.
43
Electrical: | Describe how you test a GFI receptacle during an inspection.
- Use a conventional circuit tester and operate the test button on the receptacle.
44
Electrical: | List five safe practices to protect you during your inspection.
- Rubber sole shoes - Don't stand in water - Use insulated tools - Don't let your client stand beside you or in front of you when opening the panel. - Use voltage detector
45
Electrical: | The size of the fuse should be:
- Equal to or less than service size
46
Electrical: The wire size for the service drop must be the same as the wire size for the service entrance conductors. (True or False)
- False
47
Electrical: | How many wires would you typically find in a 240 volt service drop?
- Typically 3, 2 hot and Neutral
48
Electrical: | List seven common problems with service drops.
- Overhead wires too low - Damaged or frayed wires. - Trees or vines interfering with wires - Wires too close to doors or windows. - Wires not well secured to the house. - Poor connection between service drop and service entrance. - Inadequate clearance from roofs.
49
Electrical: | Service laterals are overhead or underground?
- Underground
50
Electrical: | All service entrance conductors must be attached to the building above roof level. (True or False)
- False
51
Electrical: | List 10 common problems with service entrance conductors.
- No drip loop - No mast head - Mast head not weather-tight - Mast or conduit bent - Mast or conduit rusted - Mast rotted (if wood) - Mast conduit or cable not well secured - Mast conduit or cable not weather-tight - Conduit or cable not well sealed at house/wall penetration - Cable frayed, damaged or covered by siding
52
Electrical: | List 5 common areas of water penetration.
- Conduit joints - Mast head - Roof flashing - Meter base - House entry
53
Electrical: | The size off the electrical service has to be reported according to the Standards (True or False)
True
54
Electrical: Implications of an undersized service include: a. Shock hazard b. Fire hazard c. shock and fire hazard d. melting insulation e. Nuisance tripping of the main fuses or breakers
- e. Nuisance tripping of the main fuses or breakers
55
``` Electrical: The main fuses or breakers are most likely to trip: a. During cold weather b. During hot weather c. After 11:00pm d. When many large appliances are on e. When most of the lights are on. ```
- d. When many large appliances are on
56
``` Electrical: Which of the following is a reliable way to identify the service size? a. the size of the service drop wires b. The distribution panel rating c. The service box rating d. The service entrance wires e. The service entrance conduit ```
- d. The service entrance wires
57
Electrical: | A 200-amp service will have two 100-amp fuses in the service panel. (True or False)
- False
58
Electrical: | There can be up to 10 throws to disconnect all of the electricity in the house. (True or False)
- False
59
Electrical: | List 15 common conditions you might find in a service box.
- Poor access or location - Loose - Rust or water in the box - Unprotected opening - Damaged parts - Overheating - Incorrect fuse or breaker size; box rating too small - Service entrance wires exposed in the house - Poor connections - Illegal taps - Neutral wire by-passes service box - Fused neutral wire - Fuses upstream of disconnect switch - Obsolete box - Exterior box not weather-tight - Box not rated for aluminum
60
Electrical: | From the point where the ground and the neutral wires connect, there are two paths to ground. What are they?
- Through the neutral service wire or through the grounding electrode conductor to water pipes or ground rods.
61
Electrical: | What is the advantage of a 240 volt circuit?
- More electricity can flow at lower amperage ratings
62
Electrical: | What size wire is found on most general purpose outlets for lights and receptacles?
- 14 awg
63
Electrical: | List 14 conditions found in panels of all types.
- Obsolete and/or fused neutrals - Damaged panel or componets - Loose or missing door - Openings in panel - Panel too small - Overheating - Rust or water in panel - Circuits not labeled - Panel crowded - Poor access - Upside down - Not suitable for aluminum wiring - Poor location - Exterior panel not weather-tight
64
Electrical: | List two different branch wire materials you might see.
- Copper | - Aluminum
65
Electrical: | List two different cable types you might see.
- NM, Romex, Loomex - UF - BX (AC-90), armored cable - Knob and tube
66
Electrical: | What is the difference between insulation and sheathing?
- Insulation is around the individual wires, and sheathing forms the cables by wrapping around the insulated wires.
67
Electrical: | When a wire leaves a box, how far should it run before it is supported or secured?
- 12 inches
68
Electrical: | Running along the length of the wire, how far apart should the supports be?
- Every 4.5 feet
69
Electrical: | What should you look for when inspecting branch wiring run through or parallel to steel studs?
Wire may be damaged by sharp edges of steel studs. Wires passing through holes should be protected with grommets, for example. Wires running parallel to studs should stand off the studs.
70
Electrical: | Give five examples of poor locations for wiring.
71
Electrical: | List 15 common branch circuit wire conditions.
- Damaged - Not well secured - Loose connections - Open splices - Wires too close to ducts, pipes, vents, chimneys and flues - Wires too close to the edge of studs or joists - Wires run through steel studs without protection - Exposed wires on walls or ceilings - Exposed wires in attics - Indoor cable used outdoors - Buried cable not rated for buried use - Household wiring used as extension cord or extension cord used as permanent wiring - Undersized wire - Improper color coding - Abandoned wire
72
Electrical: | List three types of connectors.
- Terminal screws - Push-in connectors - Solderless connectors
73
Electrical: | What is an open splice?
- Two wires that have been connected outside a j-box
74
Electrical: | Describe how knob-and-tube wiring is visibly different from modern cable.
- The black and white wires are separate, so the circuit wires usually run in pairs. There are ceramic tubes protecting the wires where they pass through joists or studs. There are ceramic knobs where the wires change direction.
75
Electrical: | List four common conditions with knob-and-tube wiring.
- Connections not in boxes - Brittle wire, insulation or sheathing - Wire buried in insulation - Fused neutrals
76
Electrical: | List two common conditions found with aluminum wiring.
- Connectors not compatible with aluminum - No anti-oxidant grease on stranded wires - Overheating
77
Electrical: | How would you identify aluminum wiring?
- The conductor itself is silver colored. The sheathing usually has the word Aluminum, Alum or AL
78
Electrical: | When was it used?
- From the mid 60's to the late 70's
79
Electrical: | List three characteristics specific to aluminum wire that contribute to the problem conditions you may find.
- Loose connections that arc. Tends to creep out from under terminal screws - Forms a rust (oxide) that is an electrical insulator. Aluminum wire connections require anti-oxidant grease/paste to prevent this - Aluminum is softer than copper and easier to damage when working with the wire - Aluminum was, in some of the early wire, a low quality material, prone to weakness and breaking
80
Electrical: | List 12 common lighting problems found in houses.
- Damaged or loose - Overheating - Inoperative - Obsolete - Not grounded - Missing - Poor stairway lighting - Conventional lights used in wet areas - Improper recessed light used in installations - Improper coset lighting - Heat lamps over doors - Isolating links needed on pull chains
81
Electrical: | How are lights tested?
- Lights are tested by turning them on and off by their switches
82
Electrical: | Describe 14 problems commonly associated with recessed lights.
- Damaged - Loose - Overheating - Ungrounded outlets - Open neutral or open hot connections - Reversed polarity outlets - Inoperative - Wrong type receptacle - No GFI's - Overheated neutral on split receptacles - Worn receptacles - Broken pin or blade in slots - Not enough receptacles - Too far from basins
83
Electrical: | Why should heat lamps not be located over doors?
- Because they present a fire hazard to materials that maybe draped over them.
84
Electrical: | Describe how you test a GFI receptacle during an inspection.
- Use a conventional circuit tester and operate the test button on the receptacle.
Home Inspection
flashcards
Decks in class (22)
# Cards
Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2026 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions