Would your home pass an electrical safety inspection?

Most homes, especially the modern ones are overwhelmed with various appliances, electrical tools, and fixtures. We need these devices every day, and we heavily depend on them in most of our activities. However, we sometimes forget that like anything in our home, these electrical tools and devices should be maintained to function safely and correctly. To make sure they are in top condition, professional electricians need to inspect them using the standards set by NEC electrical code, as well as their training.

If a professional electrician comes to your home and inspects your house, would it pass the inspection?

The Most Common Electrical Home Defects
The standard set for home electrical inspection is high and strict. If you haven't had your home checked for five or ten years, there is a good chance that an update is necessary. We have listed some of the most common faults and reasons for an inspection failure:

• Not up-to-date or failing smoke and fire detectors
• Modern or new appliances or devices installed into older wiring systems
• Lack of GFCIs in kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms, home exteriors, or any areas in your home that can be exposed to water
• Not using dedicated outlets for major appliances
• Outdated and wrong-sized wiring
• Pull-chain lights instead of wall switches
• Knob and tube wiring present
• Wire overcrowding, or wiring in contact with insulation or other wires

Do you think that's a lot? These are just some of the many electrical safety requirements you need to meet. Although they may sound frustrating, keep in mind that they are meant to keep your home safe.

Signs That an Inspections is in Order
With a lot to check, it would be hard for you to handle everything. Some areas would be challenging for you to reach, and if you can, we still suggest that you don't, just because it is too risky. We strongly recommend hiring a professional inspector to the task to ensure safety and accuracy.
When is it time to have an inspection? These are some signs you need to get in touch with an electrician:

• It's been a while - for a commercial property, it is ideal that inspections be performed every five years, while for residential properties, it should be ten. However, with the fast-moving change in technology, we suggest homes be inspected more often to keep up with the change.
• Flickering lights - are lights flickering in your home all the time? This could be a tell-tale sign your wiring is old and outdated and needs to be inspected right away.
• Breakers trip all the time - breaker trips could mean a lot of things, but one thing is for sure, this is a good reason for an inspection or an electrical repair. It can be very annoying and a hassle at the same time, so the earlier you have it inspected, the sooner it gets fixed.
• Some outlets don't work - do you have outlets that don't supply power when you plug something? Yes, they are annoying, and they are a sign of an electrical issue in your house

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