Help with an inspection question

[Joseph Hagarty, CMI]

Originally Posted by Ann P. Simth

....I just got off the phone with a registered electrician - who previously looked at the panel for me - but didn't check out internal wiring - because that wasn't an issue since I believe the report - he is going to swing by tomorrow am and open up the panel to see if from the panel - aluminum is present. BUT in the meantime - i will try to capture a picture or two... Thanks

If a "registered electrician" had previously reviewed the Panel, why does he need to come back and check the panel for the presence of Aluminum wire?

[Michael R. Boyett]

Well, first of all just don't touch anything on or near the outlets or wiring while taking any photos...we don't want you electroplated tonite. A photo is not that important. Secondly, I think maybe you've opened up a new line of analysis here...why did the electrician look at the panel previously?

[Greg Bell]

Hi Ann,


First I would like to thank you for bringing your concern here and looking for some advice or education on your problem. I wish that more consumers would do the same. It does appear to me that many of the responses given portray a circling of the wagons mentality.

Aluminum conductors for household circuits is a big problem for me. In my state (Florida) you have a very hard time getting insurance when single strand AL is used for the household circuits. I always identify the conductors used for the household circuits with ever inspection. Fortunately you don't have to rewire the house to correct the problem. I can only speak for myself but if I clearly made such an error on my report I would pay to have the problem corrected.

I hope that all of this has a satisfactory conclusion for you. Please let us know how it works out.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by jhagarty

If a "registered electrician" had previously reviewed the Panel, why does he need to come back and check the panel for the presence of Aluminum wire?

Yes, Joe, I'm confused, too. If the registered electrician had looked at the panel previously, wouldn't a whole house with aluminum wiring mean that lots of aluminum wiring was present and visible in the panel? I've never seen a panel where I couldn't see the wire terminations in the circuit breakers. I'm really confused.

[Ted Allen]

Originally Posted by gbell

Hi Ann,


First I would like to thank you for bringing your concern here and looking for some advice or education on your problem. I wish that more consumers would do the same. It does appear to me that many of the responses given portray a circling of the wagons mentality.

Aluminum conductors for household circuits is a big problem for me. In my state (Florida) you have a very hard time getting insurance when single strand AL is used for the household circuits. I always identify the conductors used for the household circuits with ever inspection. Fortunately you don't have to rewire the house to correct the problem. I can only speak for myself but if I clearly made such an error on my report I would pay to have the problem corrected.

I hope that all of this has a satisfactory conclusion for you. Please let us know how it works out.

I would too.
That is a mistake that is not really a matter of simply overlooking something. If alu. truly is what exsits in this home as the branch circuit wiring then someone did not check the panel.

[Ann P. Simth]

Because he wasn't looking for aluminum - he was looking to see if the panel needed repair - he said it didn't at this point if I wasn't blowing fuses.

[Ann P. Simth]

Because it has fuses and not circuit breakers - I think it's easier to determine wire type when it's circuit breakers - don't they kind of pop in and out - where as fuses you need to open the panel up? I have three photos - but can't seem to get them loaded on the website - when I click attachments - it doesn't do anything... any clues how to get these photos up?

[Peter C. Russell]

Also, if a registered electrician has looked at the panel wouldn't that person have written some sort of recommendation with a cost.

This tread has been very educational for all of us Ann and please don't think we are trying to circle the wagons around you, we just crave information like this so we can be the best we can be.

[Russel Ray]

Personally, I would be more concerned about the fused electric panel than the use of aluminum wiring. But that's just me because insurance companies in my area won't insure a home with fused electric panels. They will insure homes with aluminum wiring.

[Ann P. Simth]

He is a personal friend and did it as a favor - tomorrow - when he opens the panel up - I'm sure what ever he finds - (I'll be right behind him taking pictures....) I will know what is what - The inspector stated that he based his decision "copper" by looking at the panel - but then he also listed in the initial report that the panel was a circuit breaker type/ NOT fuses - and somewhere I think that got corrected - but I never received a copy. So makes you wonder huh? Did he ever look at the panel?

[Doug Edwards]

Every time I had trouble loading a photo, it was too large and the system would not accept it. Try resizing it.

[Russel Ray]

Hey, Ann. I just saw where you're in Louisiana. Where at? I have brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews in Slidell and Chalmette (still), suburbs of New Orleans that were very hard hit by Katrina.

[Peter C. Russell]

I agree with RR, if I was buying a house that still had fuses for the main panel I would request it be upgraded or an allowance before closing.
I know you said you were not present for the entire inspection and this is an issue also.

[Joseph Hagarty, CMI]

1967 Home...?

Fused Panel...?

All Aluminum Wire....?

Registered Electrician can not remember what he was looking at when he looked in the Panel...?

Hmmmmm....

[Ann P. Simth]

Ok -I'm trying to attach - but the image size is too large - any suggestions.