![\"Close-up](\"https:\/\/www.prairielectric.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/standard-digital-electric-meter-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\nEven nonprofessionals can perform a routine electrical home inspection from time to time. It just takes a little know-how and a willingness to learn a few fundamentals.<\/p>\n
Of course, it\u2019s important to remember that only an electrician can perform a thorough electrical inspection of your home. Standard inspections can cover a lot of ground, and property owners themselves can perform basic reviews and checkups, which we cover below.<\/p>\n
However, a trained and expert eye will almost certainly provide you with the best and most comprehensive home electrical inspections.<\/p>\n
For example, you may have wiring that needs to be replaced; perhaps it\u2019s functioning properly at the moment, but as it degrades further, it could lead to an electrical fire.<\/p>\n
When in doubt, contact Prairie Electric. Our talented, experienced, and licensed electricians are happy to help. They\u2019ll pinpoint problems and the reasons for those problems right away. They\u2019ll also be able to forecast problems that may crop up in the future.<\/p>\n
And now \u2026 your Electrical Home Inspection Checklist!<\/p>\n
Here are a few things you can do on your own. Think of it as a professional electrical safety checklist for amateurs!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Check:<\/em><\/p>\n \u2713 Installation<\/em><\/p>\n \u2713 Cracks<\/em><\/p>\n \u2713 Water damage<\/em><\/p>\n \u2713 Rust<\/em><\/p>\n Your electric meter<\/a> is usually an efficient and trouble-free mechanical marvel. It spins merrily along, calculating your energy usage and displaying it analog-style for the monthly visit from the meter reader. (In the case of smart meters, which are becoming more and more common, the meter delivers the information directly to your power company.)<\/p>\n Still, everything is susceptible to a glitch. Homeowners can perform an eyeball test on their meter to ensure that it\u2019s working. They can also examine the meter for physical defects<\/strong> that may impair its proper functioning.<\/p>\n Is the meter still installed correctly<\/strong>? Is anything cracked or broken<\/strong>? Does the box or meter itself show signs of water damage or rust<\/strong>?<\/p>\n Check:<\/em><\/p>\n \u2713 Tripped breakers<\/em><\/p>\n \u2713 Corrosion<\/em><\/p>\n \u2713 Moisture<\/em><\/p>\n The circuit breaker is part of what\u2019s also known as the circuit box, breaker box, electrical panel, or (even though fuses are less common than they once were), the fuse box.<\/p>\n Examine the circuit breaker<\/strong> to make sure nothing\u2019s been tripped. This is usually the first thing one does when a portion of a home has lost power. Hair dryers and other appliances can sometimes cause the circuit breaker to trip and cause that loss of power.<\/p>\n Most homeowners and renters are aware of the need to check the box when something has tripped. But circuit breakers can also be checked for signs of corrosion or moisture<\/strong>, especially in older homes or if the breaker is located in basements or near washers and dryers or bathrooms and showers.<\/p>\n Check:<\/em><\/p>\n \u2713 Frayed wires<\/em><\/p>\n \u2713 Hanging wires<\/em><\/p>\n \u2713 Loose wires<\/em><\/p>\n This may be the most straightforward inspection of all. Wires are usually out of sight (and out of mind). An electrician can search for frayed or damaged wires<\/strong> in walls or other places behind the scenes.<\/p>\n But if you\u2019ve just moved into a new home, you may notice wires hanging in attics, crawl spaces, or down in the basement<\/strong>. If that\u2019s the case, contact an electrician to design a safer and more efficient method of wiring.<\/p>\n Check:<\/em><\/p>\n \u2713 Too many plugs in one outlet<\/em><\/p>\n \u2713 Power strips plugged into other power strips<\/em><\/p>\n \u2713 Appliances that require a dedicated outlet<\/em><\/p>\n Remember the scene in \u201cA Christmas Story\u201d<\/a> where the old man has about a dozen things plugged into a single wall outlet<\/strong>? We\u2019ve come a long way since then; power strips and surge protectors are light years ahead of their old counterparts, but they still have their limits.<\/p>\n Make sure that none of the power strips in your home are plugged into other power strips<\/strong> that are plugged into other power strips \u2014 so on and so forth.<\/p>\n Also, be sure that nothing inappropriate is plugged into a power strip. Bob Vila lists<\/a> a number of items that require their own dedicated wall outlet: big appliances, microwaves, hair dryers, and more. Take a look and make sure that nothing on Bob\u2019s list is also plugged into your power strip<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Check:<\/em><\/p>\n \u2713 Missing insulation covers<\/em><\/p>\n \u2713 Broken housings<\/em><\/p>\n \u2713 Bent prongs<\/em><\/p>\n \u2713 Missing prongs<\/em><\/p>\n \u2713 Enough space<\/em><\/p>\n \u2713 Snug fit<\/em><\/p>\n \u2713 Permanently used extension cords<\/em><\/p>\n There\u2019s an impressive number of safety features built into a modern electrical plug. Examine them from time to time. Look for missing insulation covers<\/strong>, broken housings<\/strong>, and bent or missing prongs<\/strong>. With damaged safety features, the likelihood of sparking and electrical fires increases<\/a>.<\/p>\n Also look out for plugs that are smashed against the wall because they\u2019re located behind large items of furniture<\/strong>, such as your living room sofa. Plugs need space<\/strong> to operate and function properly, so make sure they have breathing room back there. The plug should fit snugly<\/strong>. And the cord should never be bent so severely<\/strong> that one risks damage to the rubber housing or the wires within.<\/p>\n Check your extension cords<\/strong>, too. And remember: Don\u2019t use an extension cord as a permanent power supply<\/strong><\/a>. If you need additional electrical outlets<\/a>, get in touch with an electrician.<\/p>\n\u2714\ufe0f Circuit Breaker<\/b><\/h4>\n
![\"Close-up](\"https:\/\/www.prairielectric.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/how-do-circuit-breakers-protect-homes-300x193.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\u2714\ufe0f Electrical Wires<\/b><\/h4>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.prairielectric.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/wires-outlet-residential-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\u2714\ufe0f Overloaded Power Strips<\/b><\/h4>\n
![\"Several](\"https:\/\/www.prairielectric.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/overloaded-power-strip-200x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\u2714\ufe0f Electrical Plugs<\/b><\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.prairielectric.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/two-pronged-plug-in-prairie-electric-200x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPrairie Electric<\/b><\/h2>\n