Electrical Installation Inspection

Per NEC 408.4, circuits must be legibly identified. Panel must have adequate working clearance per NEC 110.26: 30" wide, 36" deep, and 78" high (or to ceiling if lower). Panel cover must be intact with all knockouts in place.

1. Verify panel is securely mounted and level

2. Check that all circuits are clearly labeled in the directory

3. Measure working clearance — minimum 30" wide × 36" deep × 78" high

4. Confirm all unused knockouts are closed

5. Verify appropriate breaker sizes match wire gauges

- Circuits mislabeled or not labeled at all

- Insufficient working clearance (storage in front of panel)

- Double-tapped breakers (two wires on single-pole breaker)

- Oversized breakers for wire gauge (fire hazard)

Per NEC 210.52, receptacles in habitable rooms shall be placed so that no point along the floor line is more than 6 feet from an outlet. Kitchen countertop receptacles per NEC 210.52(C) must be within 24 inches of any point along the countertop. All 15A and 20A receptacles must be tamper-resistant per NEC 406.12.

1. Verify 6-foot rule — measure from any point along wall to nearest outlet

2. Test each outlet with a tester for correct wiring (hot, neutral, ground)

3. Check that all outlets are tamper-resistant (TR marked on face)

4. Verify kitchen countertop outlets are spaced within 24" of any point

5. Confirm outlet height is consistent (typically 12-18" to center)

- Missing outlets along wall sections exceeding 6-foot rule

- Reversed polarity (hot and neutral swapped)

- Non-tamper-resistant receptacles in required locations

- Kitchen countertop spacing violations

Per NEC 210.8, GFCI protection is required for receptacles in bathrooms, kitchens (within 6' of sink), garages, outdoors, crawl spaces, basements, laundry, and near pools/hot tubs. Per NEC 210.12, AFCI protection is required for all 120V 15A and 20A branch circuits in dwelling unit bedrooms, living rooms, and other habitable areas.

1. Press TEST button on each GFCI outlet — should trip immediately

2. Press RESET — should restore power

3. Verify GFCI outlets are installed in all required wet locations

4. Check AFCI breakers in panel for bedroom and living area circuits

5. Test AFCI breakers using the test button on the breaker

- Missing GFCI protection in bathrooms or kitchens

- GFCI outlets that fail to trip when tested

- Missing AFCI protection in bedrooms (common code update miss)

- GFCI outlets installed upside down or in inaccessible locations

Per NEC 210.70, at least one wall-switch-controlled light is required in every habitable room, bathroom, hallway, stairway, garage, and at outdoor entrances. Three-way switches are required at both ends of hallways and stairways. Per IRC R303.1, all habitable rooms must have adequate lighting.

1. Verify every room has at least one switch-controlled light

2. Test all switches — lights should respond correctly

3. Check three-way switches at stairways and long hallways

4. Verify outdoor lights at all entrance doors

5. Confirm dimmer switches are rated for the connected load

- Rooms without switch-controlled lighting

- Three-way switches that don't work from both locations

- Missing exterior lighting at entrances

- Buzzing or flickering from incompatible dimmers

Per IRC R314, smoke alarms are required in each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level. They must be interconnected and hardwired with battery backup. Per IRC R315, carbon monoxide alarms are required outside sleeping areas in dwellings with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages.

1. Verify smoke detectors in each bedroom and outside sleeping areas

2. Confirm at least one detector on each level including basement

3. Test interconnection — activating one should trigger all

4. Verify hardwired with battery backup (not battery-only)

5. Check CO detectors near fuel-burning appliances and garage entry

- Missing smoke detectors in individual bedrooms

- Detectors not interconnected (each only sounds locally)

- Battery-only units instead of hardwired with backup

- Missing CO detectors with attached garage