InterNACHI


Go Back   InterNACHI Message Board > Specific Inspection Topics > Electrical

Electrical Contains discussions about electrical systems. This includes outlets, panels, wiring, et cetera.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11/15/06, 1:56 PM
Mark R. Long Mark R. Long is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Thurmont, MD
Posts: 320
Mark R. Long is generally well trusted Mark R. Long is generally well trusted
Default System I inspected yesterday, Wow!!

This is the electrical service for a 4,000 sq. ft., 46 year old house that I inspected yesterday. Maybe I'm a virgin, but I've never seen anything quite like this in a residential setting. Besides these panels, there were also 3 large sub-panels in other parts of the house.

Did have one question, how do you folks feel about the tags in the panel in the last picture?
Attached Images
File Type: jpg P1010025.JPG (25.4 KB, 155 views)
File Type: jpg P1010026.JPG (24.9 KB, 109 views)
File Type: jpg P1010027.JPG (23.8 KB, 78 views)
File Type: jpg P1010028.JPG (27.2 KB, 89 views)
File Type: jpg P1010033.JPG (27.8 KB, 153 views)



Mark
MD HI Lic # 30090
PA DEP Radon Cert # 2457
Certified Home Energy Tune-uP Inspector
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11/15/06, 2:03 PM
Michael Larson's Avatar
Michael Larson Michael Larson is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Hudson, WI
Posts: 12,409
Michael Larson has a reputation beyond repute Michael Larson has a reputation beyond repute Michael Larson has a reputation beyond repute Michael Larson has a reputation beyond repute Michael Larson has a reputation beyond repute Michael Larson has a reputation beyond repute Michael Larson has a reputation beyond repute Michael Larson has a reputation beyond repute Michael Larson has a reputation beyond repute Michael Larson has a reputation beyond repute Michael Larson has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: System I inspected yesterday, Wow!!

There was a spirited discussion on your question recently. Follow the link:

http://www.nachi.org/forum/showthrea...highlight=tags
Reply With Quote
Old 11/15/06, 6:21 PM
Michael Martin
This message has been deleted by Michael Martin.
  #3  
Old 11/16/06, 10:20 PM
Mark R. Long Mark R. Long is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Thurmont, MD
Posts: 320
Mark R. Long is generally well trusted Mark R. Long is generally well trusted
Default Re: System I inspected yesterday, Wow!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by mlarson
There was a spirited discussion on your question recently. Follow the link:

http://www.nachi.org/forum/showthrea...highlight=tags

thanks, Michael!



Mark
MD HI Lic # 30090
PA DEP Radon Cert # 2457
Certified Home Energy Tune-uP Inspector
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11/16/06, 11:09 PM
Ben D. Kelly's Avatar
Ben D. Kelly Ben D. Kelly is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Rives, TN
Posts: 1,752
Ben D. Kelly is very trusted source of information Ben D. Kelly is very trusted source of information Ben D. Kelly is very trusted source of information Ben D. Kelly is very trusted source of information Ben D. Kelly is very trusted source of information Ben D. Kelly is very trusted source of information Ben D. Kelly is very trusted source of information Ben D. Kelly is very trusted source of information
Default Re: System I inspected yesterday, Wow!!

800 or 1200 amp service?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11/17/06, 12:00 AM
bandag bandag is offline
Active Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 137
bandag hasn't had much positive or negative feedback
Please Note: bandag is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
Default Re: System I inspected yesterday, Wow!!

Mark, what kind of business were they operating there?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11/17/06, 9:02 AM
Mark R. Long Mark R. Long is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Thurmont, MD
Posts: 320
Mark R. Long is generally well trusted Mark R. Long is generally well trusted
Default Re: System I inspected yesterday, Wow!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by bkelly1
800 or 1200 amp service?

Would you believe that it was just 400 amp.



Mark
MD HI Lic # 30090
PA DEP Radon Cert # 2457
Certified Home Energy Tune-uP Inspector
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11/17/06, 9:20 AM
Mark R. Long Mark R. Long is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Thurmont, MD
Posts: 320
Mark R. Long is generally well trusted Mark R. Long is generally well trusted
Default Re: System I inspected yesterday, Wow!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by bandag
Mark, what kind of business were they operating there?

No business that I'm aware of, and not even a workshop or anything like that. Just a large, 1960 era contemporary private residence, with a lot of eccentric electrical stuff.

There's a lot of lighting with multiple switches to turn every light on and off from various locations and all of the light switches are on relays. Just not your typical three way switches. A security system , of course. There's some type of driveway heating system to melt the snow. Apparently they originally hung their clothes on a clothes line in the basement and there's a large exhaust fan to pull the moisture out of the basement. Originally it was all Radiant ceiling heat before they installed some heat pumps and about four of the panels on the upper right contain relays for that. A swimming pool. Just a lot of stuff. The large commercial type main breakers just kinda surprised me.



Mark
MD HI Lic # 30090
PA DEP Radon Cert # 2457
Certified Home Energy Tune-uP Inspector
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11/17/06, 9:41 AM
Ben D. Kelly's Avatar
Ben D. Kelly Ben D. Kelly is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Rives, TN
Posts: 1,752
Ben D. Kelly is very trusted source of information Ben D. Kelly is very trusted source of information Ben D. Kelly is very trusted source of information Ben D. Kelly is very trusted source of information Ben D. Kelly is very trusted source of information Ben D. Kelly is very trusted source of information Ben D. Kelly is very trusted source of information Ben D. Kelly is very trusted source of information
Default Re: System I inspected yesterday, Wow!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by mlong
Would you believe that it was just 400 amp.
No. That main disconnect looks like at least 800. If it is only a 400amp they spent alot of unnescearry monies.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11/17/06, 10:33 AM
Kevin L. Saunders's Avatar
Kevin L. Saunders Kevin L. Saunders is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Westerville (888)-332-3955, OH
Posts: 36
Kevin L. Saunders hasn't had much positive or negative feedback
Question Re: System I inspected yesterday, Wow!!

How did you write this up? the pics are small but it would appear to be above my level of expertise.
Regards Kevin
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11/17/06, 10:42 AM
William J. Decker's Avatar
William J. Decker William J. Decker is online now
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Skokie, IL
Posts: 5,579
William J. Decker is very trusted source of information William J. Decker is very trusted source of information William J. Decker is very trusted source of information William J. Decker is very trusted source of information William J. Decker is very trusted source of information William J. Decker is very trusted source of information William J. Decker is very trusted source of information William J. Decker is very trusted source of information William J. Decker is very trusted source of information William J. Decker is very trusted source of information William J. Decker is very trusted source of information
Default Re: System I inspected yesterday, Wow!!

I regularly see 400 amp service in this area. Large homes, larger service.

I have eve started to see 480 amp, commercial main disconnects in some large homes with 3 or 4 load side distribution boxes.

Better bone up on commercial electrical installations, that is where these guys are going.

What a time to be an inspector.



Will Decker
Decker Home Services, LLC
Chicago and Northern Suburban Home Inspections
Office: (847) 676-8393
Cell: (847) 609-2345
Home: (847) 673-2702

wjd@DeckerHomeServices.com
www.DeckerHomeServices.com

Learn, Educate, Serve and have fun doing it!
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 11/17/06, 11:33 AM
Ben D. Kelly's Avatar
Ben D. Kelly Ben D. Kelly is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Rives, TN
Posts: 1,752
Ben D. Kelly is very trusted source of information Ben D. Kelly is very trusted source of information Ben D. Kelly is very trusted source of information Ben D. Kelly is very trusted source of information Ben D. Kelly is very trusted source of information Ben D. Kelly is very trusted source of information Ben D. Kelly is very trusted source of information Ben D. Kelly is very trusted source of information
Default Re: System I inspected yesterday, Wow!!

Even so, all of that is nowhere near needed for a simply 400amp install.

I have seen a 1200 amp service in a house. And I have installed more 1200 and 1800 amp installations than I care to remember. Not to mention some much larger than that. There is nothing like working on a motor in a factory that is 3600volts.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 11/17/06, 1:32 PM
Brian R. Sumpter Brian R. Sumpter is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Martinez, CA
Posts: 234
Brian R. Sumpter has had a little positive feedback
Default Re: System I inspected yesterday, Wow!!

Was your clients last name "Frankenstein"?

:P



Brian R. Sumpter
First Call Inspections
Proudly serving most Bay Area Counties

www.firstcallinspections.com
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 11/17/06, 6:50 PM
Paul W. Abernathy's Avatar
Paul W. Abernathy Paul W. Abernathy is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Harrisonburg, VA
Posts: 6,937
Paul W. Abernathy is very trusted source of information Paul W. Abernathy is very trusted source of information Paul W. Abernathy is very trusted source of information Paul W. Abernathy is very trusted source of information Paul W. Abernathy is very trusted source of information Paul W. Abernathy is very trusted source of information Paul W. Abernathy is very trusted source of information Paul W. Abernathy is very trusted source of information Paul W. Abernathy is very trusted source of information Paul W. Abernathy is very trusted source of information Paul W. Abernathy is very trusted source of information
Send a message via AIM to pabernathy Send a message via MSN to pabernathy
Default Re: System I inspected yesterday, Wow!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by wdecker
I regularly see 400 amp service in this area. Large homes, larger service.

I have eve started to see 480 amp, commercial main disconnects in some large homes with 3 or 4 load side distribution boxes.

Better bone up on commercial electrical installations, that is where these guys are going.

What a time to be an inspector.
Just make sure they are not sizing the SE conductors via 310.15(B)(6) in those 480A installations big guy..lol....

Ensure they size according to 310.16 and understand even in residential....using commercial equipment...that being OVER 400A has some things they need to be aware of...



Paul W. Abernathy,CMI,CEI,CEPE
Electrical Plans Examiner/Engineer I
NEC Code Expert & Consultant

- ICC & IAEI Certified Electrical Inspector
- DHCD Virginia Certified Electrical Inspector
- ICC & IAEI Certified Electrical Plans Examiner
- DHCD Virginia Certified Electrical Plans Examiner
- DPOR Virginia CE Provider - Electricians
- 2007 "Top Gun" Winner - Mike Holt Enterprises
" visit www.TheElectricalGuru.com Today !"

P.S. Check me out on Mike Holts 2008 Exam Prep DVD Series.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 11/17/06, 7:33 PM
Mark R. Long Mark R. Long is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Thurmont, MD
Posts: 320
Mark R. Long is generally well trusted Mark R. Long is generally well trusted
Default Re: System I inspected yesterday, Wow!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by bkelly1
No. That main disconnect looks like at least 800. If it is only a 400amp they spent alot of unnescearry monies.
No, I double checked. The main disconnect was clearly stamped 400 amp. I was surprised too. The type of breakers they had seemed like over kill, but maybe the builder got some sort of "deal" from some supplier that year. Who knows?



Mark
MD HI Lic # 30090
PA DEP Radon Cert # 2457
Certified Home Energy Tune-uP Inspector
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 11/17/06, 7:57 PM
Mark R. Long Mark R. Long is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Thurmont, MD
Posts: 320
Mark R. Long is generally well trusted Mark R. Long is generally well trusted
Default Re: System I inspected yesterday, Wow!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by ksaunders
How did you write this up? the pics are small but it would appear to be above my level of expertise.
Regards Kevin
Well first, I stood back and took a deep breath , and just soaked it all in. At first, I thought too, that this just might be over my head. (I don't pretend to be an electrician). Fortunately, though, I was alone on this inspection (homeowner passed away and my clients are not in the area yet, business transfer) so I decided to just take my time, go for it and make it a learning experience.

Basically, I just treated it like any other inspection and focused on one component at a time. I actually did open up every panel. I don't wear a watch when I'm on an inspection, but I think that I spent about 1 1/2 hours just looking at all of the electrical panels. Actually, the big ones, though they look intimidating, are just big metal boxes with 2 big fuses in each of them, with a throw switch (yea, i know, that's simplistic). And the several panels of relays, basically made sure they worked, no scorching, no clattering, etc. I used to sell spas/hot tubs and worked on them some. The relays were pretty much the same as I would see in older spa packs. All the sub panels I just treated like any other sub.

I even opened up the main disconnect. As you commercial guys probably know, to open up a panel like that, you have to throw the switch off. I thought about that for a long time and considered what, if any consequences there might be to shut off all of the power to the house, but decided what the heck, in for a penny in for a pound ( or whatever the saying is). I put on my head lamp, turned on my second flashlight, and went for it.

And I lived to tell the tale .
</IMG>



Mark
MD HI Lic # 30090
PA DEP Radon Cert # 2457
Certified Home Energy Tune-uP Inspector
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes