2025 HOME INSPECTOR FLORIDA ALL STUDY GUIDE EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS 2025/2026 GRADED A+
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 circuits. True or False - 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. 15 amp breaker
b. 20 amp breaker
c. 30 amp breaker
d. 40 amp breaker - a. 14 gauge
b. 12 gauge
c. 10 gauge
d. 8 gauge
What size wire is found on most general purpose outlets for lights and receptacles? - 14
gauge
Which of the following is a safety concern:
a. a fuse that is too small.
b. a fuse that is too big - a fuse that is too big
Subpanels must be immediately adjacent to the main panel. True or False? - False
Typical distribution panels have 60 circuits. True or False? - False
Do we normally shut off the power when looking at the electrical system in the house?
Why or why not? - No, it would be a significant inconvenience to the occupant.
,List 14 conditions that may be found in all panels. - 1. obsolete/fused neutrals
2. damaged panel or components
3. loose or missing door
4. openings in panel
5. panel too small
6. overheating
7. rust or water in panel
8. circuits not labeled
9. panel crowded
10. poor access
11. upside down
12. not suitable for aluminum wiring
13. poor location
14. exterior panel not weather tight
Explain why fused neutrals are a bad idea. - Only the fuse on the neutral side blows.
The circuit may not work, but there may be voltage throughout the entire circuit.
What is the implication of a panel that is too small for the service? - The panel may
overheat
Should the neutral and the ground wires be bonded together at the sub-panel? - No,
because electricity may flow through the ground wire under normal conditions. The
ground wire should be reserved for emergency conditions.
How should the feeder wires to a sub-panel from the main panel ideally be protected?
a. No fusing is necessary.
b. The main house breakers will protect the wire.
c. Fuses should be provided at the subpanel.
d. Fuses should be provided at the main panel.
e. None of the above. - d.
What are the implications of oversized breakers? - Wires can overheat without tripping
the breakers.
What does the term "double tap" mean? - 2 wires are connected to a single terminal.
The red and black wires of multi-wire circuits should be on separate bus bars. True or
False? - True
List four common problems found only with breakers. - 1. multi-wire circuits not linked.
2. too many breakers
3. wrong breaker in panel
4. loose breakers
,List 6 problems found with wires in panels. - 1. sheathing not removed.
2. overheating
3. loose connections
4. damaged
5. not well secured
6. wires crossing bus bars
7. abandoned wires in the panel
What is a split receptacle? - The top part of the outlet is on one circuit and the bottom
part on a different circuit.
What is meant by linking in multi-wire branch circuits. - The fuses or breakers for multi-
wire branch circuits have to be shut off in pairs.
List 2 different branch wire materials you might see. - copper or aluminum
Describe 3 different cable types you might see. - 1. NM, Romex, Loomex
2. UF
3. BX (AC-90), armored cable
4. knob and tube
What is the difference between insulation and sheathing? - Insulation is around
individual wires; sheathing forms the cables by wrapping around the insulated wires.
The most common wire size for branch household circuits is: - 14 gauge
What are the issues with running wire through steel studs? - Wires can be damaged by
sharp edges on the steel studs. Wires passing through holes should be protected by
grommets. Wires running parallel to studs should stand off the studs.
List 5 common branch circuit wire problems. - 1. damaged
2. not well secured
3. loose connections
4. open splices
5. wires too close to ducts, pipes, vents, chimneys, flues
6. wires too close to studs or joists
7. wires run through steel studs w/o protection
8. exposed wires on walls or ceilings
9. exposed wires in attic
10. cable used outdoors
11. buried cable not rated for buried use
12. household wire used as extension cord
13. undersized wire
14. abandoned wire
Give 4 examples of damaged wire. - 1. cut or pinched
, 2. chewed on by animals
3. burned wire
4. brittle or cracked insulation
List 3 methods for securing wire ends. - 1. terminal screws
2. push-in connectors
3. solderless connectors
What is meant by "open splice"? - a connection that is not made inside a junction box
Wire should be _____ inches away from the edge of studs. - one and a quarter inches
A grommet is ____________. - a fitting that protects a cable from the sharp edges of
steel studs
Wires should not be run on wall surfaces without ___________. - mechanical protection
What is the problem with running wire across the top of the attic ceiling joists? - they are
not visible and may be stepped on
Abandoned wire should be ____________. - removed
Describe how knob and tube wiring is visibly different from modern cable. - 1. The black
and white wires are separate and run in pairs.
2. Ceramic tubes protect the wire as it runs through joists or studs.
3. Ceramic knobs are used where wire changes direction.
Does knob and tube wiring have a ground wire associated with it? - No
List 4 common problems with knob and tube wiring. - 1. Connections not in boxes
2. brittle wire, insulation or sheathing
3. wire buried in insulation
4. fused neutrals
List 3 common problems found with aluminum wiring. - 1. connectors not compatible
with aluminum
2. non anti-oxidant grease on stranded wires
3. overheating
How would you identify aluminum wiring? - The conductor is silver colored. The
sheathing usually has the word ALUMINUM, ALUM, or AL.
When was it used? - from the mid 1960's to the late 1970's.
What caused the problem? List at least 3 things. - 1. tends to creep out from under
terminal screws
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS 2025/2026 GRADED A+
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 circuits. True or False - 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. 15 amp breaker
b. 20 amp breaker
c. 30 amp breaker
d. 40 amp breaker - a. 14 gauge
b. 12 gauge
c. 10 gauge
d. 8 gauge
What size wire is found on most general purpose outlets for lights and receptacles? - 14
gauge
Which of the following is a safety concern:
a. a fuse that is too small.
b. a fuse that is too big - a fuse that is too big
Subpanels must be immediately adjacent to the main panel. True or False? - False
Typical distribution panels have 60 circuits. True or False? - False
Do we normally shut off the power when looking at the electrical system in the house?
Why or why not? - No, it would be a significant inconvenience to the occupant.
,List 14 conditions that may be found in all panels. - 1. obsolete/fused neutrals
2. damaged panel or components
3. loose or missing door
4. openings in panel
5. panel too small
6. overheating
7. rust or water in panel
8. circuits not labeled
9. panel crowded
10. poor access
11. upside down
12. not suitable for aluminum wiring
13. poor location
14. exterior panel not weather tight
Explain why fused neutrals are a bad idea. - Only the fuse on the neutral side blows.
The circuit may not work, but there may be voltage throughout the entire circuit.
What is the implication of a panel that is too small for the service? - The panel may
overheat
Should the neutral and the ground wires be bonded together at the sub-panel? - No,
because electricity may flow through the ground wire under normal conditions. The
ground wire should be reserved for emergency conditions.
How should the feeder wires to a sub-panel from the main panel ideally be protected?
a. No fusing is necessary.
b. The main house breakers will protect the wire.
c. Fuses should be provided at the subpanel.
d. Fuses should be provided at the main panel.
e. None of the above. - d.
What are the implications of oversized breakers? - Wires can overheat without tripping
the breakers.
What does the term "double tap" mean? - 2 wires are connected to a single terminal.
The red and black wires of multi-wire circuits should be on separate bus bars. True or
False? - True
List four common problems found only with breakers. - 1. multi-wire circuits not linked.
2. too many breakers
3. wrong breaker in panel
4. loose breakers
,List 6 problems found with wires in panels. - 1. sheathing not removed.
2. overheating
3. loose connections
4. damaged
5. not well secured
6. wires crossing bus bars
7. abandoned wires in the panel
What is a split receptacle? - The top part of the outlet is on one circuit and the bottom
part on a different circuit.
What is meant by linking in multi-wire branch circuits. - The fuses or breakers for multi-
wire branch circuits have to be shut off in pairs.
List 2 different branch wire materials you might see. - copper or aluminum
Describe 3 different cable types you might see. - 1. NM, Romex, Loomex
2. UF
3. BX (AC-90), armored cable
4. knob and tube
What is the difference between insulation and sheathing? - Insulation is around
individual wires; sheathing forms the cables by wrapping around the insulated wires.
The most common wire size for branch household circuits is: - 14 gauge
What are the issues with running wire through steel studs? - Wires can be damaged by
sharp edges on the steel studs. Wires passing through holes should be protected by
grommets. Wires running parallel to studs should stand off the studs.
List 5 common branch circuit wire problems. - 1. damaged
2. not well secured
3. loose connections
4. open splices
5. wires too close to ducts, pipes, vents, chimneys, flues
6. wires too close to studs or joists
7. wires run through steel studs w/o protection
8. exposed wires on walls or ceilings
9. exposed wires in attic
10. cable used outdoors
11. buried cable not rated for buried use
12. household wire used as extension cord
13. undersized wire
14. abandoned wire
Give 4 examples of damaged wire. - 1. cut or pinched
, 2. chewed on by animals
3. burned wire
4. brittle or cracked insulation
List 3 methods for securing wire ends. - 1. terminal screws
2. push-in connectors
3. solderless connectors
What is meant by "open splice"? - a connection that is not made inside a junction box
Wire should be _____ inches away from the edge of studs. - one and a quarter inches
A grommet is ____________. - a fitting that protects a cable from the sharp edges of
steel studs
Wires should not be run on wall surfaces without ___________. - mechanical protection
What is the problem with running wire across the top of the attic ceiling joists? - they are
not visible and may be stepped on
Abandoned wire should be ____________. - removed
Describe how knob and tube wiring is visibly different from modern cable. - 1. The black
and white wires are separate and run in pairs.
2. Ceramic tubes protect the wire as it runs through joists or studs.
3. Ceramic knobs are used where wire changes direction.
Does knob and tube wiring have a ground wire associated with it? - No
List 4 common problems with knob and tube wiring. - 1. Connections not in boxes
2. brittle wire, insulation or sheathing
3. wire buried in insulation
4. fused neutrals
List 3 common problems found with aluminum wiring. - 1. connectors not compatible
with aluminum
2. non anti-oxidant grease on stranded wires
3. overheating
How would you identify aluminum wiring? - The conductor is silver colored. The
sheathing usually has the word ALUMINUM, ALUM, or AL.
When was it used? - from the mid 1960's to the late 1970's.
What caused the problem? List at least 3 things. - 1. tends to creep out from under
terminal screws
