Florida Home Inspector Exam
Service entrace conductors run from the service drop to True
the service box or service panel. True or False?
The service size is determined by the amperage and the True
voltage ratings of the service.
Is the service drop overhead or underground? Overhead
Are service laterals overhead or underground? Underground
The drip loop is typically part of the service drop. True or False
False?
The wire size for the service drop must be the same as False
the wire size for the service entrance conductors. True or
False?
How many wires would you typically find in a 240-volt 3
service drop?
What would 4 wires mean? 3-phase electricity
What would 2 wires usually mean? 120 volt service
List 7 common problems with service drops. 1. Overhead wires too low.
2. Damaged or frayed wires.
3. Trees or vines interfering with wires.
4. Wires too close to doors or windows.
5. Wires not well-secured to the house.
6. Poor connection between service drop and service entrance.
7. Inadequate clearance from roofs.
List clearances above ground, swimming pools, and above roadway--18 ft.
roofs. above driveway--12 ft.
above flat roof--8 to 10 ft.
above sloped roof--18 inches
away from water in swimming pool--22.5 ft
3 ft. above sloped roof with pitch > 4 in 12
above walkway--10 ft.
The service entrance conductors run from the service drop to service box
_________ to the ___________.
All service entrance conductors must be in conduit. True False
or False?
All service entrance conductors must be attached above False
roof level. True or False?
, Florida Home Inspector Exam
The drip loop should be as close to the roof as possible. False
True or False?
List 10 common problems with service entrance 1. No drip loop
conductors. 2. No mast head
3. Mast head not weather tight.
4. Mast or conduit bent.
5. Mast or conduit rusted.
6. Mast rotted (if wood).
7. Mast conduit or cable not well secured.
8. Mast conduit or cable not weather tight.
9. Conduit or cable not well sealed at house/wall penetration.
10. Cable frayed, damaged, or covered by siding.
List 4 common areas of water penetration into service 1. conduit joints
entrances. 2. mast head
3. roof flashing
4. meter base
5. house entry
List 2 functions of the drip loop. 1. Prevents water entry into the conduit or service entrance conductors.
2. Shows that the service drop wires are not straining the splices.
Roughly 999 out of 1000 houses have _________ volts 240
available.
Roughly 999 out of 1000 houses have __________ 3
service entrance wires.
Load calculations are part of a home inspection. False
Implications of an undersized service include: e.
a. shock hazard
b. fire hazard
c. shock and fire hazard
d. melting insulation
e. nuisance tripping of the main fuses and breakers
What is the largest single-phase service that you are 400 amps
likely to find in a home?
What size copper wire would you expect to find on the a. 6 gauge
service entrance for: b. 4 gauge
a. 60-amp service c. 2-0 gauge
b. 100-amp service
c. 200-amp service
Which of the following is a reliable way to identify the d.
service size?
a. the size of the service drop wires
b. the distribution panel rating
c. the service box rating
d. the service entrance conductor
e. the service entrance conduit size
Aluminum is an acceptable service entrance conductor True
material. True or False?
A fused 200-amp service has two 100-amp fuses in the False
service box. True or False?
, Florida Home Inspector Exam
If you can't read the size of the fuses in the service box, False
you should remove them to try to get a better look. True
or False?
Which of the following is a safety issue: b
a. The main fuses have a lower rating than the service
entrance wire.
b. The main fuses have a higher rating than the service
entrance wire.
c. The service box has a higher rating than the service
entrance wires.
d. The service box has the same rating as the service
entrance wires.
e. The distribution panel has a larger rating than the
service entrance wires.
The service box can be inside, outside, or in the garage. True
True or False?
There can be up to 10 throws to disconnect all the False
electricity in the house. True or False?
The service box may stand alone or may be combined True
with the distribution panel. True or False?
List common conditions you might find in a service box. 1. poor access or location
2. loose
3. rust or water in box
4. unprotected opening
5. damaged parts
6. overheating
7. incorrect fuse or breaker size; box rating too small
8. service entrance wires exposed in house
9. poor connections
10. illegal taps
11. neutral wire by-passes service box
12. fused neutral wire
13. fuses upstream of disconnect switch
14. obsolete box
15. exterior box not weather-tight
16. box not rated for aluminum
The functions of earth grounding systems include: 1. Dissipate electricity from lightning.
2. Avoid static electricity buildup.
The grounding electrode conductor may also be called the ground wire
__________.
You are allowed to ground to the gas piping. True or False
False?
The grounding systems are connected to the house Service box
neutral at the ___________.
From the point where the ground and neutral wires Through the neutral service wire or through the grounding electrode conductor to
connect, there are 2 paths to ground. What are they? water pipes or ground rods.
, Florida Home Inspector Exam
List 5 destinations where ground wires can terminate. 1. metal water pipes
2. metal rods driven into the ground
3. wires buried in the footings (UFER ground)
4. buried grounding plates or rings
5. frame of metal buildings
6. metal well casings
List common problems found with grounding systems. 1. no ground
2. ground wire attached to plastic pipe
3. ground wire after meter and valves with no jumper.
4. spliced ground wire
5. poor connection
6. ground connection not accessible
7. ground rod cut off
8. corroded ground rod
9. undersized ground wire
10. neutral bonded to ground wire after service box
11. neutral not bonded to ground wire at service box
12. service box not grounded to ground wire
13. no ground in sub-panel feeder wires
Distribution panels are also called: (6) service panels; panelboards; auxiliary panels; sub panels; fuse boxes; fuse
panels; breaker panels
Wires run directly from the service box to the branch False
circuits. True or False
What is the advantage of a 240 volt circuit? More electricity can flow at lower amp ratings
What size copper wires are adequately protected by: a. 14 gauge
a. 15 amp breaker b. 12 gauge
b. 20 amp breaker c. 10 gauge
c. 30 amp breaker d. 8 gauge
d. 40 amp breaker
What size wire is found on most general purpose outlets 14 gauge
for lights and receptacles?
Which of the following is a safety concern: a fuse that is too big
a. a fuse that is too small.
b. a fuse that is too big
Subpanels must be immediately adjacent to the main False
panel. True or False?
Typical distribution panels have 60 circuits. True or False
False?
Do we normally shut off the power when looking at the No, it would be a significant inconvenience to the occupant.
electrical system in the house? Why or why not?
Service entrace conductors run from the service drop to True
the service box or service panel. True or False?
The service size is determined by the amperage and the True
voltage ratings of the service.
Is the service drop overhead or underground? Overhead
Are service laterals overhead or underground? Underground
The drip loop is typically part of the service drop. True or False
False?
The wire size for the service drop must be the same as False
the wire size for the service entrance conductors. True or
False?
How many wires would you typically find in a 240-volt 3
service drop?
What would 4 wires mean? 3-phase electricity
What would 2 wires usually mean? 120 volt service
List 7 common problems with service drops. 1. Overhead wires too low.
2. Damaged or frayed wires.
3. Trees or vines interfering with wires.
4. Wires too close to doors or windows.
5. Wires not well-secured to the house.
6. Poor connection between service drop and service entrance.
7. Inadequate clearance from roofs.
List clearances above ground, swimming pools, and above roadway--18 ft.
roofs. above driveway--12 ft.
above flat roof--8 to 10 ft.
above sloped roof--18 inches
away from water in swimming pool--22.5 ft
3 ft. above sloped roof with pitch > 4 in 12
above walkway--10 ft.
The service entrance conductors run from the service drop to service box
_________ to the ___________.
All service entrance conductors must be in conduit. True False
or False?
All service entrance conductors must be attached above False
roof level. True or False?
, Florida Home Inspector Exam
The drip loop should be as close to the roof as possible. False
True or False?
List 10 common problems with service entrance 1. No drip loop
conductors. 2. No mast head
3. Mast head not weather tight.
4. Mast or conduit bent.
5. Mast or conduit rusted.
6. Mast rotted (if wood).
7. Mast conduit or cable not well secured.
8. Mast conduit or cable not weather tight.
9. Conduit or cable not well sealed at house/wall penetration.
10. Cable frayed, damaged, or covered by siding.
List 4 common areas of water penetration into service 1. conduit joints
entrances. 2. mast head
3. roof flashing
4. meter base
5. house entry
List 2 functions of the drip loop. 1. Prevents water entry into the conduit or service entrance conductors.
2. Shows that the service drop wires are not straining the splices.
Roughly 999 out of 1000 houses have _________ volts 240
available.
Roughly 999 out of 1000 houses have __________ 3
service entrance wires.
Load calculations are part of a home inspection. False
Implications of an undersized service include: e.
a. shock hazard
b. fire hazard
c. shock and fire hazard
d. melting insulation
e. nuisance tripping of the main fuses and breakers
What is the largest single-phase service that you are 400 amps
likely to find in a home?
What size copper wire would you expect to find on the a. 6 gauge
service entrance for: b. 4 gauge
a. 60-amp service c. 2-0 gauge
b. 100-amp service
c. 200-amp service
Which of the following is a reliable way to identify the d.
service size?
a. the size of the service drop wires
b. the distribution panel rating
c. the service box rating
d. the service entrance conductor
e. the service entrance conduit size
Aluminum is an acceptable service entrance conductor True
material. True or False?
A fused 200-amp service has two 100-amp fuses in the False
service box. True or False?
, Florida Home Inspector Exam
If you can't read the size of the fuses in the service box, False
you should remove them to try to get a better look. True
or False?
Which of the following is a safety issue: b
a. The main fuses have a lower rating than the service
entrance wire.
b. The main fuses have a higher rating than the service
entrance wire.
c. The service box has a higher rating than the service
entrance wires.
d. The service box has the same rating as the service
entrance wires.
e. The distribution panel has a larger rating than the
service entrance wires.
The service box can be inside, outside, or in the garage. True
True or False?
There can be up to 10 throws to disconnect all the False
electricity in the house. True or False?
The service box may stand alone or may be combined True
with the distribution panel. True or False?
List common conditions you might find in a service box. 1. poor access or location
2. loose
3. rust or water in box
4. unprotected opening
5. damaged parts
6. overheating
7. incorrect fuse or breaker size; box rating too small
8. service entrance wires exposed in house
9. poor connections
10. illegal taps
11. neutral wire by-passes service box
12. fused neutral wire
13. fuses upstream of disconnect switch
14. obsolete box
15. exterior box not weather-tight
16. box not rated for aluminum
The functions of earth grounding systems include: 1. Dissipate electricity from lightning.
2. Avoid static electricity buildup.
The grounding electrode conductor may also be called the ground wire
__________.
You are allowed to ground to the gas piping. True or False
False?
The grounding systems are connected to the house Service box
neutral at the ___________.
From the point where the ground and neutral wires Through the neutral service wire or through the grounding electrode conductor to
connect, there are 2 paths to ground. What are they? water pipes or ground rods.
, Florida Home Inspector Exam
List 5 destinations where ground wires can terminate. 1. metal water pipes
2. metal rods driven into the ground
3. wires buried in the footings (UFER ground)
4. buried grounding plates or rings
5. frame of metal buildings
6. metal well casings
List common problems found with grounding systems. 1. no ground
2. ground wire attached to plastic pipe
3. ground wire after meter and valves with no jumper.
4. spliced ground wire
5. poor connection
6. ground connection not accessible
7. ground rod cut off
8. corroded ground rod
9. undersized ground wire
10. neutral bonded to ground wire after service box
11. neutral not bonded to ground wire at service box
12. service box not grounded to ground wire
13. no ground in sub-panel feeder wires
Distribution panels are also called: (6) service panels; panelboards; auxiliary panels; sub panels; fuse boxes; fuse
panels; breaker panels
Wires run directly from the service box to the branch False
circuits. True or False
What is the advantage of a 240 volt circuit? More electricity can flow at lower amp ratings
What size copper wires are adequately protected by: a. 14 gauge
a. 15 amp breaker b. 12 gauge
b. 20 amp breaker c. 10 gauge
c. 30 amp breaker d. 8 gauge
d. 40 amp breaker
What size wire is found on most general purpose outlets 14 gauge
for lights and receptacles?
Which of the following is a safety concern: a fuse that is too big
a. a fuse that is too small.
b. a fuse that is too big
Subpanels must be immediately adjacent to the main False
panel. True or False?
Typical distribution panels have 60 circuits. True or False
False?
Do we normally shut off the power when looking at the No, it would be a significant inconvenience to the occupant.
electrical system in the house? Why or why not?
