Electrical System
Portion of the building system that safely provides electrical power throughout the building. Including equipment that provides control, protection, metering, and service.
Note: This does not include transformers or metering that belongs to the providing utility; equipment that is part of any emergency power generating system; or terminal equipment such as receptacles, switches, or panel boards that are located in the units or common areas.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
- Blocked Access/Improper Storage
- Burnt Breakers
- Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion
- Frayed Wiring
- Missing Breakers/Fuses
- Missing Covers
Blocked Access/Improper Storage
Deficiency: A fixed obstruction or item of sufficient size and weight that can delay or prevent access to any panel board or main power switch in an emergency.
Note: If the panel board or main power switch is locked but authorized personnel can quickly gain access, do not record it as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: One or more fixed items or items of sufficient size and weight impede access to the building system's electrical panel during an emergency.
Burnt Breakers
Deficiency: Breakers have carbon on the plastic body, or the plastic body is melted and scarred.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see any carbon residue, melted breakers, or arcing scars.
Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion
Deficiency: You see liquid stains, rust marks, or other signs of corrosion on electrical enclosures or hardware.
Note: Do not consider surface rust a deficiency if it does not affect the condition of the electrical enclosure.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Any corrosion that affects the condition of the components that carry current.
-OR Any stains or rust on the interior of electrical enclosures.
-OR Any evidence of water leaks in the enclosure or hardware.
Frayed Wiring
Deficiency: You see nicks, abrasions, or fraying of the insulation that expose wires that conduct current.
Note: Do not consider this a deficiency for wires not intended to be insulated, such as grounding wires.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see any nicks, abrasions, or fraying of the insulation that expose any conducting wire.
Missing Breakers/Fuses
Deficiency: In a panel board, main panel board, or other electrical box containing circuit breakers, you see an open circuit breaker position that is not appropriately blanked off.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see an open breaker port.
Missing Covers
Deficiency: The cover is missing from any electrical device box, panel box, switch gear box, or control panel with exposed electrical connections.
Note: If the accompanying POA identifies abandoned wiring: capped wires do not pose a risk, therefore, do not record this as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A cover is missing, which results in exposed visible electrical connections.