During home inspections, several common electrical issues often come to light. Addressing these issues can improve safety and functionality in your home. Here are three frequent electrical problems found in inspections:

Oversized or Undersized Breakers

Electrical panels sometimes reveal breakers that are either too large or too small for the wiring they are supposed to protect.

-Oversized Breakers:
These breakers can allow too much electricity to pass through before tripping, which increases the risk of overheating, arcing, and even fires. If the breaker doesn’t trip when it should, the wires could become dangerously hot.

Undersized Breakers:
While less dangerous than oversized breakers, undersized breakers can cause frequent tripping, leading to nuisance outages. These breakers trip because they are too small to handle the current that the wiring can safely carry.

**Bonus Tip:**

Ensure all breakers in a panel are from the same manufacturer. Mixing brands can lead to compatibility issues and safety concerns.

Solution:

Properly enclose all wire connections in junction boxes to protect them and ensure safety. While wild splices are allowed inside electrical panels, they are not ideal and should be corrected if found outside of panels.

 **Bonus Tip:**

 Although wild splices in panels are permissible, they are not recommended due to safety concerns. Proper wire management and protection are always preferred.

Grounding Issues

 

Grounding issues are common, especially in homes built before the 1970s. 

 

Older Grounding Methods:

In older homes, the neutral wire often served as both the neutral and ground. Modern standards require a separate grounding wire for better safety. 

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs):

GFCIs are essential in areas prone to moisture, such as kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and exterior outlets. They provide additional protection against electrical shock by detecting imbalances and cutting off the circuit.

 **Bonus Tip:**
Ensure your home’s electrical system is grounded correctly according to modern standards. Install GFCIs in required locations to enhance safety. Missing GFCIs are a common issue but easy to fix, offering significant protection for occupants.

Addressing these electrical issues can greatly enhance the safety and efficiency of your home. Regular inspections and updates to your electrical system can prevent potential hazards and ensure a safe living environment.