| ||
 |
InspectAPedia® |
|
Free Encyclopedia of Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair | Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia |
 Mobile ViewELECTRICAL INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS, REPAIR AFCIs ARC FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERS ALUMINUM SECs & WIRING ALUMINUM WIRING HAZARDS & REPAIRS AMPS & VOLTS DETERMINATION AMPACITY - the LIMITING FACTOR APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS BACKUP ELECTRICAL GENERATORS BOOKSTORE - ELECTRICAL BUILDING SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE Cadet & Encore Heater Recall CIRCUIT BREAKER FAILURE Classified CIRCUIT BREAKER WARNING CIRCUIT BREAKER SIZE for A/C or HEAT PUMP Classified CIRCUIT BREAKER WARNING CUTLER HAMMER PANEL FIRE CONDUIT, ELECTRICAL CORROSION in ELECTRICAL PANELS CORROSION & MOISTURE SOURCES in PANELS DEFINITIONS of ELECTRICAL TERMS Definition of Amps, Electrical Current Definition of Electrical Circuits, shorts Definition of Volts Definition of Watts How a Building Gets 240V and 120V How many Watts in a Circuit Definition of AC Alternating Current Definition of DC Direct Current Definition of Electrical Ground Terms Definition of Electrical Potential Definition of Ohms, Electrical Resistance Efficiency of 120V vs 240V Equipment DIRECTORY OF ELECTRICIANS ELECTRIC HEAT ELECTRIC METERS & METER BASES ELECTRIC MOTOR DIAGNOSTIC GUIDE ELECTRIC MOTOR OVERLOAD RESET SWITCH ELECTRIC PANEL AMPACITY ELECTRIC PANEL INSPECTION ELECTRIC PANEL MOISTURE Electric Power Frequency Table ELECTRICAL BASICS Electricity Basics - how it works Electrical Circuit ID, Map & Label Electrical Circuits, shorts Electrical Code Basics ELECTRICAL CONDUIT Electrical Definitions Electrical Grounding Basics Electrical Outlet-how to add Electrical Splices, how to make Electrical Tools & Tests Electrical Wire Stripping Tips Electrical Wiring Books & Guides Electrical Wiring in Old Houses Old House Electrical Grounding EMF RF FIELD & FREQUENCY DEFINITIONS ENERGY SAVINGS in buildings AIR CHANGE RATE ACH HEAT SAVINGS AIR CONDITIONING HEAT PUMP SAVINGS AIR LEAK SEALING PROCEDURE AQUASTAT OPTIMAL SETTINGS BIOGAS PRODUCTION & USE ENERGY AUDIT - How to Use a Free One ENERGY SAVINGS MAXIMIZE RETURNS ON ENERGY SAVINGS PRIORITIES ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT CASE STUDY ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT LEAK SEALING GUIDE ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT OPTIONS ENERGY STAR PROGRAM ENERGY USE MONITORING GREEN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION HEATING COST SAVINGS METHODS HIGH MASS TRADEOFFS, HEATING vs COOLING HOUSE DOCTOR, how-to be TIMERS for ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS ELECTRICAL GENERATORS ELECTRICAL GROUND SYSTEM INSPECTION Gas Piping Ground Bond TABLE OF GROUND WIRE SIZES Old House Electrical Grounding False Ground at Receptacles False Neutral Connections Case History: Double Fault Leads to Loss of Power Case History:Loss of Neutral Shocks Homeowner Electrical Service Grounding Checklist Why Grounding is Needed ELECTRICAL SYSTEM GROUNDING SERVICE GROUNDING DEFECTS TABLE OF GROUND WIRE SIZES Old House Electrical Grounding FEDERAL PACIFIC FPE HAZARDS FIRE SAFETY Checklist, CPSC GENERATORS, ELECTRICAL GFCI PROTECTION,Testing GFCIs AFCIs HEATING COST FUEL & BTU Cost Table HEAT, ELECTRIC HEAT TAPE USAGE GUIDE Hertz - Definitions of KHz MHz GHz THz KNOB & TUBE WIRING LIGHTING, INTERIOR GUIDE LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEMS LOW VOLTAGE BUILDING WIRING MAIN DISCONNECT MAIN DISCONNECT AMPACITY MOISTURE SOURCES in PANELS MULTI-WIRE CIRCUITS MURRAY SIEMENS Recall PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SYSTEMS PUSHMATIC - BULLDOG PANELS REMOTE ELECTRIC POWER, PHOTOVOLTAIC RUST in ELECTRICAL PANELS SAFETY FOR ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS Shock Risk Statistics Outside Electrical Inspection Electric Meter & Service Entry Local Electrical Grounding Electrical Panel Interior Inspection Removing Electric Panel Covers Electrical Panel Cover Screws Electrical Panel Interior Hazards Testing Main Breakers or Fuses Inspect Breakers, Fuses, Circuits Testing Receptacles GFCIs AFCIs When to Shut Down Equipment Touching Electrical Equipment Guide to Electrical Test Equipment Using DMMs & VOMs Safely Voltage Measurement & Detection General Electrical Safety Suggestions Electrical Inspection Client Safety SE CABLE SIZES vs AMPS SIEMENS MURRAY Recall SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS SQUARE-D RECALLS UNDERGROUND SERVICE LATERALS VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT EQUIPMENT WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS WIND TURBINES & LIGHTNING ZINSCO SYLVANIA ELECTRICAL PANELS More Information |
This article answers basic questions electrical repair tools and a simple voltage presence or absence test for homeowners looking at an electrical outlet. Readers of this article should first see SAFETY FOR ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS. This website provides information about a variety of electrical hazards in buildings, with articles focused on the inspection, detection, and reporting of electrical hazards and on proper electrical repair methods for unsafe electrical conditions. Critique and content suggestions are invited. Credit is given to content editors and contributors. © Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website.
Basic Electrical Tools & Instruments for Working With ElectricityElizabeth Sluder and Daniel Friedman + technical reviewers With a few exceptions, you probably have the tools you need for most electrical repairs. All you need are common hand tools, some power tools, electrical supplies, and a few special items. Three Simple Electrical Test Tools that Every Homeowner Should Have & Use
As a bonus in our photograph above, our plastic, non-conductive pen is pointing out a dangerous condition: the plastic front of the lower half of this electrical receptacle has broken away - someone could be badly shocked or burned. The outlet needs to be replaced immediately.
Basic Hand Tools Needed for Simple Electrical Repairs
Simple Supplies for Basic Electrical Repairs
Additional Supplies for Needed Basic Electrical Appliance Repairs (such as a clock radio)
If your repair work involves wire splicing in an appliance like a clock radio, it is desirable to solder the splice to assure good electrical contact. A high heat electric iron, or gun, or a pencil flame propane torch, will heat the joint faster and assure a good flow of solder.
Descriptions of some Special Electrical Tools & Test Instruments
|
InspectAPedia ® Home & Site Map
|
A digital multimeter such as the tiny one shown in our photo combines several electrical test functions and can be used to check for the presence of live electrical power, to check the voltage level, and in another switch position, it can serve as a continuity tester. See VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT EQUIPMENT for details about using this and related electrical tools. |
Electrical Wire Stripping Tools
Many types of tools are available for stripping insulation from wire. All consist of a pliers-like tool with cutouts on the jaws corresponding to various wire sizes. The cutouts allow the stripper to cut through the insulation without cutting or nicking the conductor Some strippers also have provision for cutting wires and small bolts.
Fish Tape for Pulling Electrical Wires
A "fish tape" is is a flexible wire used to pull electrical cables through building walls and ceilings, also referred to as "fishing wires". We need a fish tape (or a substitute) when we need to pull a wire through existing walls, floors, or ceilings where finished surfaces have been installed.
Fish tapes for pulling electrical wires are available in various lengths. The fish tape has a hook at the end to which the wire can be attached after the tape is worked through the opening. The tape is then withdrawn pulling the wire through.
Electrical Fuse Puller
If there are cartridge fuses on your service panel, you will need a fuse puller for safe removal of fuses. Check the sizes of the fuses you will have to remove before you purchase a fuse puller. Make certain the puller you buy is the right size for your use.
Simple but Useful Electrical Tests of an Electrical Outlet With a Neon Tester or Voltage Tester
Two simple and inexpensive testers are absolutely essential to electrical work. If you own a handitester or similar volt-ohm meter, that will do the same job.
How to Test For Correct Ground Connections & for Presence of Electrical Power with a Voltage Tester
|
Safety Warning: Do not attempt to work on your electrical wiring, switches, or outlets unless you are properly trained and equipped to do so. Electrical components in a building can easily cause an electrical shock, burn, or even death. Be careful: Even when a hot line switch is off, one terminal on the switch is still connected to the power source. Before doing any work on the switch, the power source must be turned off by setting a circuit breaker to OFF or removing a fuse. See SAFETY FOR ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS and Electrical Wiring Books & Guides |
3-slot Electrical Receptacle Test Procedure
Touch one voltage tester probe inside the ground slot and the other probe to each of the prong slots in turn. The bulb should light in one of them. The slot in which the bulb lights will tell you which is the "hot" connection; the other slot in the receptacle will be the neutral connection.
You can also determine whether or not the receptacle has been properly wired by this method (the larger slot should be the neutral wire) but a simpler plug-in electrical receptacle tester does the job more easily and more safely.
See VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT EQUIPMENT for details about using this and related electrical tools.
2-slot Electrical Receptacle Test Procedure
Touch one probe to the screw on the outside of the cover plate and the other probe in each slot in turn. The bulb should light in one of them - maybe.
If the receptacle cover plate screw is metal it is touching a metal strap that holds the plastic body parts of the electrical receptacle together. That same metal strap ends in "ears" that include holes through which the electrical receptacle is mounted to the electrical junction box in the building wall. If the electrical junction box is metal and if the electrical junction box is itself connected to the building grounding system, that strap, by touching the metal junction box, provides an unreliable ground path which will let you per from the test above.
The proper method of making the ground connection for an electrical receptacle is through a ground wire connecting the ground screw on the electrical receptacle body to the ground wire entering the electrical junction box - if there is a ground wire.
If the 2-slot electrical receptacle is installed on an electrical circuit which does not include a ground path (such as knob and tube electrical wiring) or if the 2-slot receptacle has not been properly mounted and grounded, this test may not show you anything, but the receptacle may still be "live" - a condition that shows up the two voltage tester probes are inserted one-each into the two receptacle slots.
If you find that the receptacle is live but that connecting the receptacle cover plate through the voltage tester to each receptacle slot in turn does not cause the tester to show power, then that electrical circuit may not be safely grounded, and further investigation by a professional is warranted.
Be careful: this is not a reliable nor a complete test. For example, a weakly-grounded wire or electrode may look just fine when tested with a VOM, a DMM, or a neon tester, but when subject to higher current flow the ground may be completely inadequate.
Questions & Answers regarding this article
.
Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia
Share this Article
...
Technical Reviewers & References
- InspectAPedia.com® - Daniel Friedman - Publisher & Editor.
- InspectAPedia Bookstore lists recommended books, organized by topic & available for purchase. Most of our articles also include a list of recommended books for the specific article topic as well as other references, and information sources.
- Critique, contributions wanted: Contact Us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website, and if you wish, to receive online listing and credit as a contributor. Particular thanks are due to the many experts and also consumers who read and critique technical articles at InspectAPedia.com.
- Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.
Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.
ELECTRICAL BASICS
Electricity Basics - how it works
Electrical Circuit ID, Map & Label
Electrical Circuits, shorts
Electrical Code Basics
ELECTRICAL CONDUIT
Electrical Definitions
Electrical Grounding Basics
Electrical Outlet-how to add
Electrical Splices, how to make
Electrical Tools & Basic Tests
Electrical Wire Stripping Tips
Electrical Wiring Books & Guides
Electrical Wiring in Old Houses
- Elizabeth Sluder, Montross, VA, was the original author of this article. She is a public school teacher who writes basic educational articles about a variety of building, construction, and other topics. Her husband, a licensed electrician, consults for her writing on electrical topics. Her articles appearing at the InspectAPedia TM Website have been edited, illustrated, and on occasion extensive new and corrective content has been added by the website editors and technical consultants. These articles are © 2010 - 2009 InspectAPedia copyright-protected, all rights reserved.
- Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission to use illustrations from their publication, The Illustrated Home which illustrates construction details and building components. Carson Dunlop provides home inspection education including the ASHI-adopted Home Inspection Training Program (home study course), publications such as the Home Reference Book, report writing materials including the Horizon report writer, and home inspection services. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
- The 2008 Residential Wiring Code, a subset of the 2008 NEC, can be understood through Mastering the NEC at http://www.2008nec.com/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=1
- Special thanks to Bud - a master electrician in Minnesota who contributed text and suggestions for explaining why we need electrical grounding, and for discussing the shortcomings of neon testers and plug-in receptacle testers - 1/22/2009
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
- Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
- Recommended books on electrical inspection, electrical wiring, electrical problem diagnosis, and electrical repair can be found in the Electrical Books section of the InspectAPedia Bookstore. (courtesy of Amazon.com)
- * Safety Hazards and Safe Inspection Procedures for Electrical and Home Inspectors at Residential Electric Panels
- Aluminum Wiring Information Website Aluminum Electrical Wiring Hazards and Repairs: in-depth authoritative info, photos, documents including selection of proper vs. ineffective repair methods. E.g.: Ideal 65 "Twister" purple connector fails in field and lab testing with aluminum wire.
- Ampacity of an Electrical Service: How to determine the electrical service size or ampacity entering a building
- Circuit Breaker, a bad one fails to trip failure at aluminum bus-to-circuit breaker connection - field report and photographs
- Electrical Panels, How to Inspect in buildings, safety for electrical inspectors, electrical panel, fusing, wiring defects, defective products. Inspection Class Presentation
- Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Stab-Lok Circuit Breaker Panel Hazards Website - Latent fire hazards, in-depth authoritative research, documents, advice on Stab-Lok electric panel and circuit breaker failures and what to do when this equipment is found in buildings.
- Lightning Strike Risk Assessment, Protection Systems & Services
- Multi-wire branch circuit inspection and defects
- Rust and Corrosion in Electrical Panels, A Study and Report on Frequency and Cause for Electrical and Home Inspectors at Residential Electric Panels
- "Electrical System Inspection Basics," Richard C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985.
- "Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. 4-77 1977 [Lots of sketches of older-type service panels.]
- "How to plan and install electric wiring for homes, farms, garages, shops," Montgomery Ward Co., 83-850.
- "Electrical System Inspection Basics," Richard C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985.
- "Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. 4-77 1977 [Lots of sketches of older-type service panels.]
- "How to plan and install electric wiring for homes, farms, garages, shops," Montgomery Ward Co., 83-850.
- "Home Wiring Inspection," Roswell W. Ard, Rodale's New Shelter, July/August, 1985 p. 35-40.
- "Evaluating Wiring in Older Minnesota Homes," Agricultural Extension Service, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108.
- "Electrical Systems," A Training Manual for Home Inspectors, Alfred L. Alk, American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), 1987, available from ASHI. [DF NOTE: I do NOT recommend this obsolete publication, though it was cited in the original Journal article as it contains unsafe inaccuracies]
- "Basic Housing Inspection," US DHEW, S352.75 U48, p.144, out of print, but is available in most state libraries.
- Electrical System & Wiring Hazard Inspection, Detection, Cause, Remedy, Prevention - Main Electrical Page
- ...
| Home | About Us | Accuracy | Contact Us | Content Use Policy | Privacy | Website Description | © 2012 Copyright InspectAPedia.com |