What does a home inspector check in the electrical system?
The panel is the heart of the inspection. Inspectors remove the cover to view breakers, look for proper sizing, correct wiring, signs of overheating or corrosion, and known-problem brands. They assess whether the service is adequate for the home.
Safety devices and grounding matter throughout. The inspector verifies GFCI protection in wet areas, checks for AFCI where expected, and tests a sample of receptacles for proper wiring, grounding, and polarity, flagging reversed or open grounds.
Older homes carry specific risks. Aluminum branch circuits, knob-and-tube, ungrounded outlets, and obsolete panels all show up in Bloomington's mid-century housing. The inspector documents these and recommends evaluation and correction by a licensed electrician.
