How do you write these two defects up?

[George E. Russell]

First defect;
Two Prong ungrounded outlets.

Second defect;
Tester shows Hot and Neutral reversed.

Thanks in advance!!

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Two-prong ungrounded receptacles are not a defect.

Hot & neutral reversed should be stated as just that - or - simply state that the receptacle is improperly wired.

[George E. Russell]

Ok not a defect. Do you mention them at all? Suggest upgrade?

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

I will recommend upgrades only in areas where GFCI's are required today, or in locations where large appliances may be installed (i.e. refrigerators, washers, dryers, etc.).

[John Safstrom]

I mention they are there. I do it more for the customer's general knowledge. They can leave them or have them replaced to make the outlets more convenient.

[Eric C. Van De Ven]

Originally Posted by grussell

First defect;
1)Two Prong ungrounded outlets.

Second defect;
2)Tester shows Hot and Neutral reversed.

Thanks in advance!!

1) Depending on where you are and what home you are inspecting, yes or no.

2) Receptacle showed reverse polarity.

As far as recommending "upgrades", in most homes that I have inspected, and I am referring to the 2-prong receptacle issue, most times there are enough defects that it won't be an upgrade, it will be a repair done to the existing building code.

[ROBERT W. NEWLAND, JR.]

Originally Posted by grussell

Ok not a defect. Do you mention them at all? Suggest upgrade?

Maybe an FYI comment something like;

The home is wired mostly with 2-prong ungrounded receptacles. While common years ago and still acceptable today, the lack of a grounding conductor will limit the use of certain appliances, computers, etc. that require a ground. Dedicated circuits may have to be run to properly and safely use such appliances. You may consider having a qualified licensed electrician evaluate the wiring if this is a concern to you.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by evandeven

I am referring to the 2-prong receptacle issue, most times there are enough defects that it won't be an upgrade, it will be a repair done to the existing building code.

Existing (current) codes allow two-pronged receptacles.

Non-grounding type receptacles can be installed on an existing system as replacements to non-grounding type receptacles. There are no requirements to install grounding-type.

[Eric C. Van De Ven]

Originally Posted by jpope

Existing (current) codes allow two-pronged receptacles.

Non-grounding type receptacles can be installed on an existing system as replacements to non-grounding type receptacles. There are no requirements to install grounding-type.

What I meant to say is that there will be deficiencies with other aspects of the electrical system that very well may require replacement of the electrical system, including the receptacles. At which point, the two-prong receptacles will be replaced.

As far as recommending "upgrades", in most homes that I have inspected, and I am referring to the 2-prong receptacle issue, most times there are enough defects that it won't be an upgrade, it will be a repair done to the existing building code.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Originally Posted by rnewland

Maybe an FYI comment something like;

The home is wired mostly with 2-prong ungrounded receptacles. While common years ago and still acceptable today, the lack of a grounding conductor will limit the use of certain appliances, computers, etc. that require a ground. Dedicated circuits may have to be run to properly and safely use such appliances. You may consider having a qualified licensed electrician evaluate the wiring if this is a concern to you.

I love it.

If you fail to mention the presence of 2-prong outlets, a client may be pretty upset with you once they move in. Better to give them an FYI upfront. Jeff is correct about their "legal" acceptability, but clients might not find them acceptable.

Generally, whenever you do see 2-prong receptacles, you won't find as many outlets as is required by today's standards. I tell them that also as an FYI.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by evandeven

At which point, the two-prong receptacles will be replaced.

That was my point. Current NEC allows two-prong receptacles to be replaced with two-prong receptacles.

There is no requirement that they be replaced with three-prong receptacles. In fact, to do so would be in violation of current requirements unless installed in accordance with NEC 406.3(D)(3)(a), (b) or (c)

[Eric C. Van De Ven]

Originally Posted by jpope

That was my point. Current NEC allows two-prong receptacles to be replaced with two-prong receptacles.

There is no requirement that they be replaced with three-prong receptacles. In fact, to do so would be in violation of current requirements unless installed in accordance with NEC 406.3(D)(3)(a), (b) or (c)

I am well aware of the code.
It is why I re-quoted my entire quote, the whole paragraph, not one sentence from it.

I'll say it again:

As far as recommending "upgrades", in most homes that I have inspected, and I am referring to the 2-prong receptacle issue, most times there are enough defects that it won't be an upgrade, it will be a repair done to the existing building code.

Do you understand now?

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

So you're saying that most homes with two-prong receptacles will require re-wiring of the residence? I will have to disagree.

[Eric C. Van De Ven]

Originally Posted by jpope

So you're saying that most homes with two-prong receptacles will require re-wiring of the residence? I will have to disagree.

Where did I say that?

Since you asked, out of the homes I have inspected that were built in the 50s and 40s, 3/4 of them did have to be re-wired. For numerous reasons.

On one home, the homeowners decided to rewire everything themselves. When I checked a three-prong receptacle, it showed as an open ground. So did several others. I then pulled the dead front cover, which I usually do first, but no one could get into the garage until the end of the inspection, and there was all new Romex.......with every ground wire snipped off! Needless to say, no permit was pulled and when the city was called, they wanted everything opened up to see what was done. The house got rewired.

On a majority of the other homes, the wiring in the attic had been damaged by rodents or something else, the homes had 100amp or less service, fuses, etc. and it was more feasible to re-wire the home.

I am not saying, by any stretch of the imagination, that just because a home has two-prong receptacles, everything must be changed.
However, I do mention to my Clients that there is the possibility that it may have to be rewired, someday.

[Jim Port]

Unless it was a polarized receptacle, how did you determine reversed polarity on a 2 prong receptacle?