Bubbly is good for drinking but not for wiring. The dangers of loose electrical connections.

Bubbly is good for drinking but not for wiring.  The dangers of loose electrical connections.

Wenatchee Home Inspection Services

With all electrical systems heat is the enemy. When evaluating the system with in mind you may think what can cause heat. One of the main contributors to heat is resistance.

 In electrical systems you can think of pressure being applied on the charge (amps) as Voltage. How difficult or how much friction it is to push that charge along as being resistance.

So using the old water analogy we have more friction/resistance pushing water through a long narrow pipe (long runs of light gauge wire) versus wide short pipe (short run of heavy gauge wire).

Now couple that with a high resistance connection then we lead to a condition that can cause failure and fire. As you can see in this photo we have reached that condition.

Each connection point, be it at a receptacles, switches, splices or connection in the panel, needs to be properly tightened (torque). Failure to do so creates resistance, which creates heat, which creates a higher potential for failure and fire. This will worsen over time as that connection goes through heat cycles.

Most panel manufactures have specifications on what the torque values are in the panel.

Example-

So by this panel manufacturer, Square-D the screws (on the neutral/ground bar) need anywhere from 10 in/lb to 35 in/lb of torque depending on screw sets.

When performing home inspection we are required by our Standards of Practice  to evaluate all readily accessible panels and subpanels to inspect the wiring and overcurrent devices (breakers and Fuses).  It is very important to look for signs of overheating because over time this will lead to failure.

The NFPA states that the largest portion of fires caused by electrical distribution systems (48%) were caused by faulty fixed wiring, receptacles and switches. So having these connections evaluated could prevent possible future problems. Time is not forgiving on anything (me included).

“If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.”

Red Adair

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…  

Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service

www.ncwhomeinspections.com                                               509-670-9572