Concise Building Inspections, Inc. 522 Old Lancaster Rd., Haverford, PA 19041. - Residential Electrical Inspections

Residential Structural Certifications & Environmental Testing
Spring Hill, FL 34609 (Hernando Co.)
(352) 556-7187

Circuit Breakers and Fuses Inspections
back to Residential Electrical Systems

Electricity is distributed at the main electrical panel to lights, outlets, and appliances throughout the house via circuits.

Main circuit breakers shut off power to the whole house. Individual circuit breakers connect to circuits throughout the house. Each circuit is protected by a circuit breaker (or fuse) at the main panel that will automatically shut off the power to the circuit in the event of a dangerous electrical overload or short circuit.

A circuit breaker can also be used manually to disconnect a circuit from incoming power so that you can repair or upgrade your outlets and fixtures. When you work on your home's electrical systems, it's important to shut off the power before handling electrical wires or components. Label circuits to identify which parts of the house they serve.

GFCI Circuit Breakers
Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are outlets or circuit breakers that shut off power instantly when a circuit shorts or overloads. They are often required for kitchen, bathroom, and outdoor circuits.

How do you know if the system has a grounding wire? First turn off the power. Check an outlet with a circuit tester to make sure it's off, and remove it from the wall. It should have three different-colored terminal screws: brass screws for black (hot) wires, silver screws for white (neutral) wires, and a green screw for the ground wire. The green terminal screw should be connected either to a bare wire or to a metal electrical box. If it isn't, consult an electrician to find out whether your system is properly grounded.

Outlets for 240-volt appliances that draw a lot of current (such as dryers, ranges, and air conditioners) have different configurations. Never force a plug into a outlet that doesn't accommodate it. Always replace old outlets with new ones that have the same amperage and voltage.