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Electrical Condition Inspections
Electrical condition inspections are conducted to help maintain the safety of a building and the people inside. Qualified electricians are brought in to perform visual inspections and electrical tests on the wiring, connections and terminals of the electric systems in the building. The visual inspection is simply looking at the electrical equipment and noting any damage found and the severity of the damage.
The visual inspection also looks at the terminals and connections to ensure no bare wires have occurred and that the terminals and connections have been properly made in accordance with local and national codes.
Electrical tests are run on the wires to determine if these wires can still handle the current being sent through them. A visual inspection is not possible since most of the wiring is run through the walls and in the ceiling. Wires that transmit a greater current than they are rated for will grow hot and the risk of fire is great.
Damage to wires can decrease the wires ability to pass current safely. It is more dangerous to have a damaged wire than a broken wire.
Inspections are performed at the end of any construction that happens on the building, whether it is the initial construction, an add-on to the building or internal reconstruction. Inspections will also occur when a property is sold. Additional inspections will occur every ten years. A building manager may always request an inspection at any time he thinks a problem may have occurred.
Insurance companies can require electrical condition inspections as part of their agreement to cover the building in question. Local governments can pass regulations that require these inspections. The result of these inspections can be public knowledge so the citizens can see for themselves how safe any particular building is; from an electrical standpoint.