electrical grounding: Tin-foil hats and other realities
- 07/08/13 12:04 AM
Like most of my readers, I have been known to occasionally don a tin-foil hat when necessary, have avoided stepping on cracks and certainly tilted at necessary windmills. Science usually makes us give up our wishful thinking (the desire for the simplicity of tin foil) and helps us pick and choose actually conquerable windmills---or at least understand the consequences. There will always be causes worth doing battle with as long as there are idiots to create those causes. Often it is seemingly impossible to tell the difference. And, isn’t that what keeps us all entertained all the days of … (11 comments)
electrical grounding: Garbage bag twist-tie technology---goodn’ nuf!
- 06/15/12 05:02 AM
I am not sure how this electrical system grounding wire (EGC) could get so badly damaged---perhaps it was a runaway lawn mower or VERY aggressive weed whacker. Whatever the cause of this damage, twisting two strands of the wires together is not going to fool any inspector---let alone any electricity needing to find a path to ground.
It is time for proper repairs. This will likely require replacement of the wire all the way back to the panel---a costly repair when all of the space in between in finished off.
Charles Buell, Real Estate Inspections in Seattle … (27 comments)
electrical grounding: Spaghetti Westerns and Spaghetti Electricians.
- 07/24/11 01:47 AM
As a Seattle Home Inspector it is very common to find homes prior to the mid sixties that have ungrounded electrical circuits. Whenever I find three prong type receptacles in homes prior to 1965 I want to verify, if I can, that the circuits are actually grounded. This is done "visually," because to actually know that something is grounded is a technically complicated procedure---well beyond what can be expected of a home inspector. Taking off cover plates and seeing a ground wire connected to the receptacle or switch and seeing ground wires connected in the electrical panels in the home is … (23 comments)
electrical grounding: Some times we can be grounded and not grounded all at the same time.
- 11/27/09 04:34 AM
A common way that defects happen in homes is they simply get done wrong from the get-go. Improper installations that involve, clearances, types of materials and code violations are all common. Another way that defects happen is when repairs to existing, properly installed, components get done wrong----during the repairs. This is often the case in areas that involve multiple trades. For example Uncle Harry knows how to do plumbing----or at least good enough to make water run down hill and not leak---but does not fully understand electrical systems. Take for example, this outside faucet repair. One can … (44 comments)
electrical grounding: Grounding your Electrical System, a Seattle Home Inspector’s, 3 Part Series: Part III
- 08/18/09 01:41 AM
If I can re-awaken you all again, I would like to discuss the third means of achieving Grounding of your home’s electrical system. The “new” Washington State, Standards of Practice, require Seattle Home Inspectors (all Washington State Home Inspectors) to report: “The existence of a connected service-grounding conductor and service-grounding electrode when same can be determined.” I would hope that most home inspectors would have already been doing this, but having it spelled out specifically in the Standards of Practice is an improvement to most Home Inspection Standards of practice around the country. The Electrical Service to the … (21 comments)
electrical grounding: Grounding your Electrical System, a Seattle Home Inspector’s, 3 Part Series: Part II
- 08/16/09 02:50 AM
If your eyes haven’t completely glazed over and I can awaken you for a moment I would like to discuss the second means of achieving Grounding of your home’s electrical system. The new Washington State, Standards of Practice, require Seattle Home Inspectors (all Washington State Home Inspectors) to report: “The existence of a connected service-grounding conductor and service-grounding electrode when same can be determined.” I would hope that most home inspectors would have already been doing this, but having it spelled out specifically in the Standards of Practice is an improvement over most Home Inspection, Standards of practice around … (17 comments)
electrical grounding: Grounding your Electrical System, a Seattle Home Inspector’s, 3 Part Series: Part I
- 08/14/09 12:56 AM
Just mention the words “Grounding & Bonding” and most people’s eyes will glaze over and a chorus of yawns will fill the air. The “new” Washington State, Standards of Practice require Seattle Home Inspectors (all Washington State Home Inspectors) to report: “The existence of a connected service-grounding conductor and service-grounding electrode when same can be determined.” I would hope that most home inspectors would have already been doing this, but having it spelled out specifically in the Standards of Practice is an improvement over most Home Inspection Standards of Practice around the country. It is totally understandable why … (17 comments)
electrical grounding: Water pipes make a good ground?
- 01/09/08 02:16 AM
Low voltage utilities (like cable, security, and phone) ground their systems to the Home's electrical system ground. While the low voltage electrical components of these systems are NOT typically inspected according to most Standards of Practice, I do like to verify location and appropriateness of the grounding of these systems. The picture below shows the location of the phone company ground installed at a water pipe in the basement----a very typical location. Other locations might be at the meter base outside the home or at the metal conduit of the incoming electrical service to the home. Sometimes these systems are … (4 comments)
My blog is intended to provide information related to home inspections in Seattle, surrounding communities and anyone else interested. Sometimes I will provide information that has nothing to do with home inspections. Enjoy!
Like most of my readers, I have been known to occasionally don a tin-foil hat when necessary, have avoided stepping on cracks and certainly tilted at necessary windmills.
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