Code Inspections & Repairs

The U.S. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 70) published the National Electrical Code or “NEC” to safeguard property owners in relation to electrical practices. Our technicians offer code inspections for property owners who wish to have their homes inspected to determine if their electrical and wiring systems meet these criteria. Our experts are trained to spot any possible items that may conflict with the National Electrical Code, state laws, and zoning regulations to keep you out of harm’s way.

The NEC receives public feedback and commentary and is revised every three years through technical sessions. There have been a total of 16 NEC revisions since 1977, the year the median American home was built. 

Mister Sparky will walk you through code requirements for different devices in your home. If you notice any issues, Mister Sparky offers repair and electrical services to ensure that your property is up to standards so that you can get back to your life.

Surge Protection

A power surge is a sudden increase in voltage that can damage or destroy electronic equipment. Surges can occur when large appliances, such as air conditioners, turn on and off. Surge protection has been required by the National Electrical Code (NEC) since 2014, and 82% of surveyed professionals indicated that surge protection is necessary to protect expensive equipment. 

According to ESFI, surge protection is now required for dwelling units. Must be protected by either a type 1 or type 2 surge protection device. These devices protect from electrical devices and appliances that may not have been protected by point of use surge protection. 

AFCI Protection 

AFCI protection detects “arcs”, more easily understood as mini-sparks that occur on an electrical wire and are hazardous. Since the 2008 edition, the National Electrical Code has included significantly expanded requirements for AFCI protection in all new homes. State adoption and enforcement of the NEC with its AFCI intact is key to preventing fires, protecting homes, and saving lives.

Since 2002, AFCI protection has expanded into more parts of the home. AFCI’s use to only be required in bedrooms. Since 2008 there has been a significant expansion to many other rooms, including: 

• Bedrooms
• Closets
• Kitchens
• Laundry areas
• Living rooms
• Family rooms
• Rec rooms
• Parlors, libraries, or dens

The only parts of the home that don’t require AFCI are the garage and exterior bathrooms. 

GFCI Protection 

Ground fault circuit interrupters were introduced in the 1970s and have saved thousands of lives. These safety devices prevent deadly shock by shutting off the power to the circuit if water flows into the circuit by the slightest amount. This prevents homeowners from being electrocuted by their appliances since their inception. 

GFCI protection is currently required in: 

• Outdoors
• Bathrooms
• Garage
• Laundry 
• Anything within 6 ft of a sink
• Jacuzzi tubs
• Dishwasher
• Garbage disposal

Key changes in the 2020 code:

• Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI)protection is now required in all 125-volt through 250-volt receptacles. An example of a device needing protection would be a washer and a dryer.

2023 changes coming soon TBD

Grounding

Electrical grounding refers to the electrical system’s connection to the ground itself. This presents as a copper or steel rod that is driven into the ground and is connected to your electrical panel with a grounding wire. In simple terms grounding provides a safe place for “dirty electricity” to go. NEC defines ground as “the earth.” Section 250.4(A)(1) states that grounded electrical systems “shall be connected to earth in a manner that will limit the voltage imposed by lightning, line surges, or unintentional contact with higher-voltage lines and that will stabilize the voltage to earth during normal operation.” Home inspectors only check if one is present, and if there is a connection, they don’t check the condition. Your mister sparky electrician will always check the condition.

Smoke Detectors 

Up until 1999, you were only required to have one smoke detector per level of the home. In 1999 the NEC started to require them in every bedroom and be interconnected and powered from the same branch circuit. The interconnection causes all smoke alarms to signal an alarm when one device senses smoke, providing an early indicator of smoke throughout the home. 

Electrical Panels & Breakers

The electrical panel holds the main circuit breaker that controls the power to an entire house.  The NEC has some standard requirements for when breaker panels are installed to ensure the safety of residents. 

The working space around the breaker must be at least 6.5 feet high and three square feet away from the wall and have a 30-inch width. It is also frowned upon and often prohibited to install a breaker in smaller rooms like closets, laundry rooms, utility rooms, and bathrooms. The panel must be easily accessible, and the NEC requires a light fixture to be present in the room to perform work safely. 

In 2020 the NEC announced its most recent change requiring an outdoor disconnect for indoor panels. First responders will be able to respond to emergencies much easier while avoiding potential electrical hazards. 

Other Things That Often Come up in Home Inspections

Below are common issues that will often come up in an electrical code inspection.

• Cant have an open bulb fixture in a clothes closet. 
• Breaker labeling (when breakers are not labeled)
• Tested outlet, and it has no power or isn’t grounded. 
  • I.e., GFCIs are now self-testing. GFCIs used to keep giving power even though they had lost the ability to trip. With the new technology, it will stop working altogether. 

The NEC is the minimum safety standard for electricians. Oftentimes state or municipalities have their own ordinances and requirements for electrical work beyond the electrical code.  Mister Sparky’s licensed and trained electricians comply with all local and state codes. Have your home inspected by a qualified Mister Sparky Electrician before buying, selling, or remodeling a home to ensure your home’s electrical system is safe and operating at the highest level. 

 

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