A panel wired with multiwire branch circuits

Don’t panic if your house has Multiwire Branch Circuits

January 17, 2023 | Buyer Inspections

This article is about the multiwire branch circuit wiring technique in home electrics. It is not common. This panel might appear like that you would find at any home, but there is a key difference that a knowledgeable inspector should recognize and explain.But first, let’s cover some basics to set the stage.Conductor -> Wire -> CableA conductor is the metal that carries electricity. That metal is copper or aluminum. A wire is a bare conductor or a conductor covered with a plastic insulator. So, whether we say conductor or wire, it is the same for practical purposes. Two or more wires covered in a sheathing or jacket is a cable as shown.Home electrical systems are mostly single strand insulated copper wires in 2-, 3-, or 4-wire cables. For this topic, we focus on 3-wire cable.Typical use of 3-wire cable3-wire cables are most often used in one of these ways:In 240 Volt … Continued

Code is a dirty four-letter word. What’s your AHJ?

October 31, 2022 | Buyer Inspections

Why do inspectors reference the Authority Having Jurisdiction? Why don’t we just say something “is not to code” when we observe something that is, well, not to some code? Here’s why, with the necessary background.Code modelsThe International Building Code (IBC) is the core model that defines the base regulations and minimum standards for all buildings. If that was all there was to it, all buildings would be good, and life for a home inspector or commercial inspector would be simple. However, the IBC is intended to be adopted to accommodate laws and practices for any region. For example, a Florida beach home has to withstand storm surges whereas a California home has to withstand seismic activity. Both have the IBC at the core, specialized to accommodate regional needs. The International Residential Code (IRC) is adopted from the IBC for residential buildings (homes). All States follow the IRC. There are also code … Continued

Air Quality Dangers Most Landlords Don’t Know

August 18, 2022 | Environmental Services

Keeping your rental property in good condition is one of the most important tasks of being a landlord. For most property owners, this task might mean staying on top of electrical and plumbing repairs or scheduling inspections for their appliances. However, a crucial component most landlords overlook is the air their tenants breathe. Poor air can be detrimental to our health. Several studies link it to the development of allergies and other respiratory complications like asthma. Thus, every property owner that prioritizes their tenants’ health and well-being needs to pay attention to their surroundings. Do you wonder what the potential pollutants are? Or what impact bad air has? This article delves into air quality dangers most landlords don’t know. Sources of Dangerous Air Quality 1. Dust Dust is one of the most common air pollutants in any home. Sometimes they also include tiny microscopic pests, which we call dust mites. They’re common in places … Continued

Two Ways To Fix 2-Prong Outlets

April 13, 2020 | Electric Inspections

Homes built through the 1950s had ungrounded (2-prong) receptacles. That was the norm then but is an inconvenience today. Chester County Home Inspections often find outlets with Open Ground faults or other anomalies. Homeowners often simply install 3-prong outlets in the place of the 2-pronged ones, leaving the grounding conductor open. The electric tester shows that ungrounded defect. You can address the ungrounded receptacles issue with GFCI receptacles as the National Electrical Code explains:Non-grounded receptacles shall be permitted to be replaced with:(a) a non-grounded receptacle;(b) a GFCI type of receptacle. These receptacles shall be marked “No Equipment Ground”; or(c) grounding-type receptacle where supplied through a GFCI. Grounding-type receptacles supplied through the GFCI shall be marked “GFCI Protected” and “No Equipment Ground”InterpretationOption A allows you to replace a broken 2-prong with a new 2-prong.Option B allows you to replace the ungrounded 2-prong with a GFCI receptacle AND properly label it as ungrounded.Option C … Continued

Environmental Services to Ensure the Safety of Your New Home

June 4, 2019 | Buyer Inspections

If you’re in the market to purchase a home, you know you’ll need a professional home inspection before the deal is done. However, sometimes a basic inspection isn’t enough. It’s a good idea to check into the extra inspections available to you. Many future homeowners don’t realize how many environmental dangers are lurking in homes and could pose a serious health risk. Fortunately, our team at Chester County Home Inspections offers a variety of environmental services so you can have peace of mind in your new Chester Springs, PA, home.

Protect Your Home with an EIFS or Stucco Inspection

April 17, 2019 | Buyer Inspections

For most, building a home is part of the American Dream. What could be better than choosing a layout, color scheme, and add-on features to suit your specific needs? But for many Pennsylvania homeowners, building their dream house did not turn out the way they had planned. According to an article in The Inquirer published in November, Pennsylvania is in the middle of a water damage epidemic that is affecting suburban homes, starter homes, and even luxury homes. Our team at Chester County Home Inspections is here to help. We’ve put together a few reasons why you should consider getting your home inspected so you are able to protect your investment down the road.

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