Very Curious about the mechanics of an electrical inspection

[Donald Farrell]

Folks,

When you are going through a home inspection, particularly the electrical system, what can you take apart or remove covers to see if there are any hidden physical problems?

For example, can you remove the cover (blank) from a ceiling outlet box to see what's inside?

Thanks in advance - Don

[Rick Cantrell]

Folks,

When you are going through a home inspection, particularly the electrical system, what can you take apart or remove covers to see if there are any hidden physical problems?

For example, can you remove the cover (blank) from a ceiling outlet box to see what's inside?

Thanks in advance - Don
You can and should remove covers to most anything you feel you have a need to inspect.
With some limitations: subject to your knowledge, skill and ability, and of course the HO not objecting.

[Jack Feldmann]

What Rick said!

[Eric Barker]

Not only will I tend to open things up but I'll also give a tug on wires at circuit breakers and neutral bus bars - having a poor connection is a big issue with me. Certainly I am not recommending this for those that don't have the background or stomach for it but it does yield some significant safety concerns. Above all - stay within your own comfort level.

[CHARLIE VAN FLEET]

Not only will I tend to open things up but I'll also give a tug on wires at circuit breakers and neutral bus bars - having a poor connection is a big issue with me. Certainly I am not recommending this for those that don't have the background or stomach for it but it does yield some significant safety concerns. Above all - stay within your own comfort level.
if i find aluminum wires in main breaker panel-i will peek inside several outlets to see if there has been a copper alum transfer--dont want that to slip bycvf

[Rick Bunzel]

Eric,

You are a brave man to be tugging on stuff in an electrical panel. Things can go wrong in so many ways. I have never been zapped by anything more than 20 amps and never intend to!

//Rick

[Richard Skalski]

Reading about tugging on wires, then the 20 amp zap, leads me to believe that they are being checked "live". A cheap meter to check for power AFTER the MAIN is shut off should always be used. After all, who wants to mouth to mouth that 70 yr old man who had his hand on you when the current came through your finger. In addition anytime you remove a cover, say from a outlet, it exposes wires which have the potential to be life threatening. Liability is always a concern.

[John Kogel]

In my area we are forbidden to do any work in a panel unless we are licensed electricians, so I keep hands and tools out of there.

No, I do not open a simple junction box in a ceiling unless there is soot or suspicious wiring coming out of it. Even so, I would probably call for the amateur wiring to be removed by an electrician and move on, no need to examine beyond that in most cases.

AL in the panel, an electrician needs to do a full examination of all the fixtures. Any extra inspection by me would be hit-or-miss, so again, mostly a waste of time unless there is evidence of scorching or soot.
I will sometimes pull a receptacle when there is a question of using the wrong fixtures or connectors, remodeled rooms with AL wiring.

[Rick Cantrell]

... I do not open a simple junction box in a ceiling unless there is soot or suspicious wiring coming out of it. ...
I agree



AL in the panel, an electrician needs to do a full examination of all the fixtures. Any extra inspection by me would be hit-or-miss, so again, mostly a waste of time ...
I agree



I will sometimes pull a receptacle when there is a question of using the wrong fixtures or connectors, remodeled rooms with AL wiring.
When there is aluminum wiring, I don't see a need or benefit to pulling a cover, just call for an electrician.

In my opinion, every outlet (receptacle, and light fixture) and switch needs to be examined.
Simply pulling out the wires and pushing them back into the box can break the wires. This is something that should be done by the electrician. (S)he can make repairs as needed,at that time.