The majority of home inspections reveal electrical issues, some are small easy fixes and others require more in depth repairs or upgrades. They can range from miswired or loose outlets to outdated and unsafe electrical wiring. They are all dangerous and usually impossible to identify without an inspection. Electrical issues identified in the report should be corrected by a licensed electrical contractor. Below are some explanations of terms commonly found during inspection reports.

GFCI OUTLETS

A “Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)” outlet is a safety device that automatically shuts off electrical power when it detects an imbalance in the current, which can prevent serious injury from electric shock. GFCI outlets were first required in U.S. homes in 1971 under the National Electrical Code (NEC). Initially, the requirement only applied to outdoor receptacles and those near swimming pools. Over the years, the NEC has expanded the requirements for GFCI protection to include more areas of the home where water might be present. It is important to note that the adoption and enforcement of these codes can vary by local municipality, and older homes are often "grandfathered" into the codes that were active at the time of construction, unless significant electrical modifications are made. However, upgrading to current GFCI standards is highly recommended for safety.

- If an imbalance of approximately 5 milliamperes or more is detected (indicating that electricity is escaping its intended path, possibly through a person's body), the GFCI rapidly intervenes.

- The device trips and cuts the power within as little as 1/40th of a second, much faster than a standard circuit breaker, thus preventing a potentially fatal shock.

- GFCIs have "test" and "reset" buttons on their face for manual verification of their function, and many feature an auto-monitoring or "self-test" function and indicator lights that signal a problem or an "end-of-life" condition.

REVERSED POLARITY

A “reversed polarity” outlet is a hazard resulting from the hot (black) and neutral (white) wires being connected to the wrong terminals. This creates a shock hazard and can potentially damage appliances.

- Even with the switch off, the device may still be "hot" because the switch is only interrupting the neutral wire instead of the hot wire, which can lead to a shock hazard.

- Appliances with circuit boards can be damaged because they may be constantly energized, leading to overheating, short circuits, or fire.

- It can cause devices to not work properly, or a light bulb might glow faintly even when the switch is off.

TWO-PRONG

A “two-prong outlet” common in older homes, lacks a third grounding wire and poses safety risks such as electrical shock, fire, and appliance damage. These outlets are easily identifiable, can be made safe with properly installed adapters, but should ultimately be upgraded to three-prong grounded outlets for improved safety.

UNGROUNDED/OPEN GROUND

An “open ground” or “ungrounded” outlet is a three-prong electrical receptacle that lacks a proper connection to the home's grounding system, making it a safety hazard because there is no safe path for excess electrical current.

- While it looks like a modern, grounded outlet, it lacks a safety feature. People may plug in a three-prong appliance, believing it is properly grounded when it is not, which can lead to dangerous situations.

- If a fault occurs, a shock hazard exists because there is no safe path for electricity to travel to the ground.

- Appliances that rely on a ground connection are not protected from surges and could be damaged.

- Open grounds are considered safety hazards and code violations, especially if they are new or were previously miswired.

OPEN NEUTRAL

An "open neutral" outlet indicates a break in the neutral wire, which can cause flickering lights, equipment damage, or appliances to not work. This occurs when the white neutral wire is loose or disconnected, disrupting the electrical circuit's return path for current

- Without a complete circuit, the neutral wire can become "live" and dangerous, carrying voltage.

- An open neutral can cause voltage to fluctuate unpredictably, potentially damaging sensitive electronics.

- It creates a fire hazard, as current may find an unintended path through plumbing pipes, building materials, or other conductors.

3-WAY SWITCHES

A “3-way switch” is a type of electrical switch that allows a single light fixture or device to be controlled from two separate locations, such as the top and bottom of a staircase or different entrances to a room. They are always installed in pairs or in combination with a four-way switch, which allows operation from three separate locations.

- 3-way switches that do not function properly are actually safety issues. They allow you to illuminate a dark area before entering it reducing the risk of trips and falls, which is especially important at the top & bottom of stairs. They are particularly beneficial for families with children or elderly members, and are required in all newly built stairwells.

DOUBLE TAPS

A "double tapped breaker" occurs when two wires are incorrectly connected to a single terminal on a circuit breaker, which is usually only designed for one wire. This is a hazardous electrical defect because it can lead to poor connections, overheating, and potential fires.

- Poor connections and overloading a single breaker can cause the wires and the breaker to overheat, creating a fire risk.

- Many breakers are not designed to handle two wires, so one connection can become loose over time which can cause arcing and electrical fires.

- This can happen due to a crowded electrical panel, a lack of space for new breakers, or simply being a outdated practice