Florida Home Inspector Exam questions with answers 2023
Service entrace conductors run from the service drop to the service box or service panel. True or False? - correct answer True
The service size is determined by the amperage and the voltage ratings of the service. -
correct answer True
Is the service drop overhead or underground? - correct answer Overhead
Are service laterals overhead or underground? - correct answer Underground
The drip loop is typically part of the service drop. True or False? - correct answer False
The wire size for the service drop must be the same as the wire size for the service entrance conductors. True or False? - correct answer False
How many wires would you typically find in a 240-volt service drop? - correct answer 3
What would 4 wires mean? - correct answer 3-phase electricity
What would 2 wires usually mean? - correct answer 120 volt service
List 7 common problems with service drops. - correct answer 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 roofs. - correct answer above roadway--18 ft.
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 _________ to the ___________. - correct
answer service drop to service box
All service entrance conductors must be in conduit. True or False? - correct answer False
All service entrance conductors must be attached above roof level. True or False? - correct answer False
The drip loop should be as close to the roof as possible. True or False? - correct answer
False
List 10 common problems with service entrance conductors. - correct answer 1. No drip loop
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 entrances. - correct answer 1. conduit joints
2. mast head
3. roof flashing
4. meter base
5. house entry
List 2 functions of the drip loop. - correct answer 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 available. - correct answer 240
Roughly 999 out of 1000 houses have __________ service entrance wires. - correct answer 3
Load calculations are part of a home inspection. - correct answer False
Implications of an undersized service include:
a. shock hazard
b. fire hazard
c. shock and fire hazard d. melting insulation
e. nuisance tripping of the main fuses and breakers - correct answer e.
What is the largest single-phase service that you are likely to find in a home? - correct answer 400 amps
What size copper wire would you expect to find on the service entrance for:
a. 60-amp service
b. 100-amp service
c. 200-amp service - correct answer a. 6 gauge
b. 4 gauge
c. 2-0 gauge
Which of the following is a reliable way to identify the 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 - correct answer d.
Aluminum is an acceptable service entrance conductor material. True or False? - correct answer True
A fused 200-amp service has two 100-amp fuses in the service box. True or False? - correct answer False
If you can't read the size of the fuses in the service box, you should remove them to try to get a better look. True or False? - correct answer False
Which of the following is a safety issue:
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. - correct answer b
The service box can be inside, outside, or in the garage. True or False? - correct answer True
There can be up to 10 throws to disconnect all the electricity in the house. True or False? - correct answer False
The service box may stand alone or may be combined with the distribution panel. True or False? - correct answer True List common conditions you might find in a service box. - correct answer 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: - correct answer 1. Dissipate electricity from lightning.
2. Avoid static electricity buildup.
The grounding electrode conductor may also be called __________. - correct answer the ground wire
You are allowed to ground to the gas piping. True or False? - correct answer False
The grounding systems are connected to the house neutral at the ___________. - correct answer Service box
From the point where the ground and neutral wires connect, there are 2 paths to ground. What are they? - correct answer Through the neutral service wire or through the
grounding electrode conductor to water pipes or ground rods.
List 5 destinations where ground wires can terminate. - correct answer 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. - correct answer 1. no ground
2. ground wire attached to plastic pipe
3. ground wire after meter and valves with no jumper.
4. spliced ground wire
Service entrace conductors run from the service drop to the service box or service panel. True or False? - correct answer True
The service size is determined by the amperage and the voltage ratings of the service. -
correct answer True
Is the service drop overhead or underground? - correct answer Overhead
Are service laterals overhead or underground? - correct answer Underground
The drip loop is typically part of the service drop. True or False? - correct answer False
The wire size for the service drop must be the same as the wire size for the service entrance conductors. True or False? - correct answer False
How many wires would you typically find in a 240-volt service drop? - correct answer 3
What would 4 wires mean? - correct answer 3-phase electricity
What would 2 wires usually mean? - correct answer 120 volt service
List 7 common problems with service drops. - correct answer 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 roofs. - correct answer above roadway--18 ft.
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 _________ to the ___________. - correct
answer service drop to service box
All service entrance conductors must be in conduit. True or False? - correct answer False
All service entrance conductors must be attached above roof level. True or False? - correct answer False
The drip loop should be as close to the roof as possible. True or False? - correct answer
False
List 10 common problems with service entrance conductors. - correct answer 1. No drip loop
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 entrances. - correct answer 1. conduit joints
2. mast head
3. roof flashing
4. meter base
5. house entry
List 2 functions of the drip loop. - correct answer 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 available. - correct answer 240
Roughly 999 out of 1000 houses have __________ service entrance wires. - correct answer 3
Load calculations are part of a home inspection. - correct answer False
Implications of an undersized service include:
a. shock hazard
b. fire hazard
c. shock and fire hazard d. melting insulation
e. nuisance tripping of the main fuses and breakers - correct answer e.
What is the largest single-phase service that you are likely to find in a home? - correct answer 400 amps
What size copper wire would you expect to find on the service entrance for:
a. 60-amp service
b. 100-amp service
c. 200-amp service - correct answer a. 6 gauge
b. 4 gauge
c. 2-0 gauge
Which of the following is a reliable way to identify the 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 - correct answer d.
Aluminum is an acceptable service entrance conductor material. True or False? - correct answer True
A fused 200-amp service has two 100-amp fuses in the service box. True or False? - correct answer False
If you can't read the size of the fuses in the service box, you should remove them to try to get a better look. True or False? - correct answer False
Which of the following is a safety issue:
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. - correct answer b
The service box can be inside, outside, or in the garage. True or False? - correct answer True
There can be up to 10 throws to disconnect all the electricity in the house. True or False? - correct answer False
The service box may stand alone or may be combined with the distribution panel. True or False? - correct answer True List common conditions you might find in a service box. - correct answer 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: - correct answer 1. Dissipate electricity from lightning.
2. Avoid static electricity buildup.
The grounding electrode conductor may also be called __________. - correct answer the ground wire
You are allowed to ground to the gas piping. True or False? - correct answer False
The grounding systems are connected to the house neutral at the ___________. - correct answer Service box
From the point where the ground and neutral wires connect, there are 2 paths to ground. What are they? - correct answer Through the neutral service wire or through the
grounding electrode conductor to water pipes or ground rods.
List 5 destinations where ground wires can terminate. - correct answer 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. - correct answer 1. no ground
2. ground wire attached to plastic pipe
3. ground wire after meter and valves with no jumper.
4. spliced ground wire
