Common Electrical Defects
- Aluminum single conductor wiring on 120-volt circuits
- Broken light fixtures or devices
- Loose or inoperative ceiling fans
- Double tapped circuits in service or distribution panels
- Permanently installed extension cords or temporary wiring
- Frayed, deteriorated or melted insulation
- Missing or inoperative GFCIs
- Grounds loose, wire connections/clamps corroded or not properly connected
- Improper junctions or splices
- Improper main disconnect
- Improper exterior wiring
- Loose outlets and switches
- Knob and tube wiring (age and condition concerns)
- Missing cover plates
- Outlets with open grounds
- Inadequate overhead service cable clearances
- Oversized breakers or fuses
- Inoperative smoke detectors
- Missing carbon monoxide detectors
- Reversed polarity at outlets
- Unsecured or inadequately secured electrical cables and wiring
- Subpanel grounds and neutrals not separated
- Missing knock out(s) or unsafe openings in panel/boxes
- Bath lights on GFCI circuit
- Mystery switches (operation is not apparent)
- Zinsco or Federal Pacific Panels in use (Safety hazard)
