Whole-House Rewiring Inspection

Per NEC 80.19, electrical rewiring requires a permit from the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). A licensed electrician must file plans showing panel location, circuit count, wire sizing, and load calculations per NEC 220. Work without permits may void insurance and violate local building codes.

1. Verify electrical permit has been pulled and is posted on-site

2. Confirm load calculation has been performed (NEC 220 standard or optional method)

3. Review circuit plan — minimum circuits per NEC 210: kitchen (2×20A), bathroom (1×20A), laundry (1×20A), general lighting, general receptacles

4. Verify panel location meets NEC 110.26 workspace requirements (36" clear in front, 30" wide, headroom to structural ceiling)

5. Check that a licensed electrician is performing the work

- Work started without permits — fails inspection, must be re-opened

- Load calculation not performed — panel undersized for actual demand

- No plan for dedicated circuits — leads to overloaded shared circuits

- Panel location in bathroom or clothes closet (prohibited by NEC 240.24(E))

Per OSHA 1926.405 and NEC 590, all circuits must be de-energized and verified dead before removal. Knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum branch circuits (pre-1972), and cloth-insulated wiring must be fully removed, not just abandoned in place. All old boxes, splices, and connections must be removed or properly terminated.

1. Verify all circuits are de-energized using a non-contact voltage tester AND multimeter

2. Confirm lockout/tagout procedures are in place at the panel

3. Check that old knob-and-tube or cloth wiring is removed — not left in walls

4. Verify old aluminum branch wiring is removed (15A and 20A circuits)

5. Ensure no abandoned splices or junction boxes are left inaccessible

6. Check that any remaining old wiring (e.g., service lateral) is properly labeled

- Old wiring left in walls near insulation (fire hazard with knob-and-tube)

- Hidden junction boxes left inaccessible behind drywall

- Failure to de-energize before work — electrocution risk

- Aluminum wiring only partially removed, leaving mixed metals at connections

Per NEC 408.36 and NEC 110.26, the main panel must be rated for the calculated load with at least 200A service for a typical modern home. The panel must have adequate spaces for all required circuits plus 20% spare capacity. Panels must be listed (UL 67) and properly grounded per NEC 250.

1. Verify panel amperage rating matches or exceeds load calculation (200A minimum typical)

2. Count circuit breaker spaces — confirm sufficient for all planned circuits plus spares

3. Check panel is UL-listed and not on recall list (Federal Pacific, Zinsco, Pushmatic are known problematic)

4. Verify main breaker is present and properly rated

5. Confirm panel grounding: grounding electrode conductor to ground rod(s) per NEC 250.52

6. Check bonding: neutral-ground bond at main panel only per NEC 250.24

7. Verify proper workspace clearance per NEC 110.26

- Panel undersized — 100A panel cannot support modern loads (EV, heat pump, etc.)

- Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels not replaced (known failure to trip)

- Missing or improper ground rod installation

- Neutral and ground bonded at subpanel (should only bond at main)

Per NEC 334 (NM cable) and NEC 300.4, all branch circuit wiring must use approved cable types (NM-B / Romex for residential), properly supported and protected. Cables through studs must have nail plates where less than 1.25" from edge. Cable must be stapled within 12" of each box and every 4.5 feet along runs per NEC 334.30.

1. Verify correct cable type: NM-B (Romex) for dry interior, UF-B for damp/exterior

2. Check wire gauge matches circuit amperage: 14 AWG for 15A, 12 AWG for 20A, 10 AWG for 30A, 8 AWG for 40A, 6 AWG for 50A

3. Verify cable support: stapled within 12" of every box, every 4.5' along runs

4. Check nail plates installed where cables pass through studs within 1.25" of edge

5. Ensure no cable damage — no kinks, cuts in jacket, or crushed sections

6. Verify proper box fill calculations per NEC 314.16

- Wrong wire gauge for circuit (12 AWG on 15A is fine; 14 AWG on 20A is a violation)

- Missing nail plates — drywall screws can penetrate cable

- Cables not properly supported — sagging in attic or crawl space

- Too many wires in a box — exceeding box fill allowance

Per NEC 210, homes require dedicated circuits for specific areas and appliances. Kitchen requires two 20A small-appliance circuits (NEC 210.52(B)), bathroom(s) require at least one 20A circuit (NEC 210.11(C)(3)), laundry requires one 20A circuit (NEC 210.11(C)(2)). AFCI protection required for all habitable rooms per NEC 210.12.

1. Verify dedicated 20A circuits: kitchen countertop (2), bathroom (1+), laundry (1)

2. Confirm dedicated circuits for fixed appliances: dishwasher, disposal, microwave, refrigerator

3. Check AFCI breakers installed for bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, hallways, closets per NEC 210.12

4. Verify GFCI protection: kitchen (within 6' of sink), bathrooms, garage, outdoor, unfinished basement, laundry per NEC 210.8

5. Count receptacles per room — per NEC 210.52(A), no point along wall should be more than 6' from an outlet

6. Verify 240V circuits for large appliances: range (50A), dryer (30A), water heater (30A), HVAC

- Kitchen sharing circuits with other rooms (code violation)

- Missing AFCI protection in bedrooms (required since NEC 2002, expanded since)

- Insufficient receptacles — long runs of extension cords indicate too few outlets

- No dedicated circuit for refrigerator (causes nuisance tripping if shared)

Per NEC 250, the electrical system must be properly grounded and bonded. Grounding electrode system requires at minimum two ground rods spaced 6' apart (NEC 250.53(A)(2)) or one ground rod with resistance ≤25 ohms (NEC 250.56). All metal piping, structural steel, and equipment must be bonded per NEC 250.104.

1. Verify grounding electrode conductor (GEC) is properly sized per NEC 250.66

2. Check ground rod installation: 8' copper-clad rod, driven full depth

3. Measure ground rod resistance if possible (should be ≤25 ohms, or use two rods)

4. Verify water pipe bonding within 5' of entry point per NEC 250.52(A)(1)

5. Check gas pipe bonding per NEC 250.104(B)

6. Confirm equipment grounding conductor (EGC) is continuous from each outlet back to panel

7. Verify neutral-ground bond exists only at main panel

- Ground rods too short or not driven full depth

- Missing water pipe bond (especially after plumbing repairs with plastic pipe)

- Ground wire cut or not connected at outlets

- Multiple neutral-ground bonds causing objectionable current on ground

Per NEC 406.12, all receptacles in new or rewired homes must be tamper-resistant (TR). GFCI receptacles required per NEC 210.8 in wet/damp locations. Receptacles must be installed with ground pin down or per manufacturer instructions. All devices must be properly seated in boxes with cover plates installed per NEC 406.6.

1. Verify all receptacles are tamper-resistant (TR marking on face)

2. Test GFCI receptacles: press test button, verify downstream outlets lose power, press reset

3. Check all outlets with a 3-light tester: correct wiring (hot, neutral, ground)

4. Verify proper torque on terminal screws (follow manufacturer specs)

5. Confirm all cover plates installed with no gaps around boxes

6. Check switch operation: firm feel, no sparking, controls correct fixture

7. Verify USB outlets, if installed, are UL-listed

- Non-tamper-resistant receptacles used (code violation in new work)

- GFCI outlets wired incorrectly (line/load reversed, no downstream protection)

- Loose connections causing arcing — check by wiggling plug

- Missing or cracked cover plates

Per NEC 110.7 and local codes, all wiring must be tested and inspected before walls are closed. Tests include continuity testing, insulation resistance testing (megger test), GFCI testing, AFCI testing, and circuit identification. Final inspection by the AHJ is required before energizing.

1. Verify continuity of all ground conductors from each outlet to panel

2. Perform insulation resistance test (megger): minimum 1 MΩ between conductors

3. Test all GFCI outlets and breakers with built-in test button AND external tester

4. Test all AFCI breakers with test button

5. Verify circuit directory is complete and accurate — each breaker labeled

6. Check all connections are torqued to manufacturer specifications

7. Confirm rough-in inspection passed before drywall was installed

8. Schedule and pass final electrical inspection with AHJ

- Walls closed before rough-in inspection (must be re-opened)

- Circuit directory inaccurate or missing — circuits not properly identified

- GFCI or AFCI breakers not tested (may be defective from factory)

- Loose connections found during testing — check all lugs and terminals