What Is an Electrical Home Inspection and Why Is It Important?

An electrical home inspection is a mandatory component of a home or building inspection report, due to the serious nature of the hazards that can be caused by such faults. An experienced inspector will check many aspects of the electrical system during a home or building inspection in Sydney, including the following:

• Checking whether the minimum requirements according to the law and regulations are met, in order to prevent dangerous hazards.
• Checking the meter for defects or damages, and even such things as rust and water accumulation.
• Checking for unprotected or exposed wires, damaged wiring and whether the wires used are of the correct type. This inspection will be done for both the interior and exterior areas of the property.
• Checking the electrical panel to ensure the breakers are of the correct size and that there are no damaged, faulty or corroded breakers. They will ensure that there is no possible chance that the breakers could get overloaded or overheated.
• Checking the junction boxes to ensure they are located in visible areas and that they have covers.
• Ensuring that the ground fault circuit interrupters are wired properly and are in working order.
• Checking on all power outlets to ensure there is no faulty or exposed wiring and that they are fitted securely.
• The entire wiring system will be checked for proper grounding with the circuit panel.

If the inspector’s report indicates any defect or fault with any of the above checks during a home inspection in Sydney or elsewhere, an experienced electrical engineer will need to be called to rectify the issues. While damaged or faulty sockets are minor repairs, other matters such as issues with the circuit panel or ground wiring can be both costly and complicated.

Such repairs are not something that you want to face after buying a new home, which is why getting an inspection done prior to purchasing is best. In this way you can request the seller to do the necessary repairs and rectifications, and ensure that you are purchasing a safe home for your family.

Even for your current home, it is highly advisable to get regular electrical inspections done, in order to have peace of mind that your home is safe from such hazards. The benefits of getting electrical inspections done are:

• Saves money – Over time wires and cabling can get damaged or frayed leaving a higher chance of them causing a fire in your home. In addition, faulty wiring can even damage your electrical equipment beyond the point of repair, meaning you will need to replace these. Sometimes if minor issues are not sorted out in time they can become major problems, costing you a bunch of money to get them repaired or replaced, therefore the small investment you make for a regular inspection of your electrical system is well worth it.
• Keeps you safe – Fire from electrical faults can cause serious injury to both you and your family. Keeping your electrical system in tip-top condition not only gives you peace of mind that your family is safe from such hazards, but they will keep you safe even during adverse weather conditions where such things as lightening can wreak havoc in a home.
• Efficient systems – Regular check ups ensure that the electrical system is kept in good condition, which makes the system more efficient, reducing on your consumption and bills.

You might wonder why you should spend money to get an electrical inspection done when buying a new house. The fact is whether it is an old house you are buying or a brand new one, there can be electrical defects and issues, which would be an unnecessary expense for you to bear so soon after investing your hard-earned money on the property. In addition, can you really compromise on the safety of your loved ones? We think not.

When selecting someone to carry out the electrical home inspection, you need to ensure that they are well experienced and qualified to do the job right. Search online or get some referrals from family and friends, or those who have got it done before, and find the best inspector or inspection company around.