Florida Home Inspector Exam
Service entrace conductors run from the service drop to the service box
or service panel. True or False? correct answersTrue
The service size is determined by the amperage and the voltage ratings of
the service. correct answersTrue
Is the service drop overhead or underground? correct
answersOverhead Are service laterals overhead or underground?
correct answersUnderground
The drip loop is typically part of the service drop. True or False?
correct answersFalse
The wire size for the service drop must be the same as the wire size for
the service entrance conductors. True or False? correct answersFalse
How many wires would you typically find in a 240-volt service drop?
correct answers3 What would 4 wires mean? correct answers3-phase
electricity
What would 2 wires usually mean? correct answers120 volt service
List 7 common problems with service drops. correct answers1. 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
answersabove 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 answersservice drop to service box
,All service entrance conductors must be in conduit. True or
False? correct answersFalse
All service entrance conductors must be attached above roof level. True
or False? correct answersFalse
The drip loop should be as close to the roof as possible. True or
False? correct answersFalse
List 10 common problems with service entrance conductors. correct
answers1. 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
answers1. conduit joints
11.mast head
12.roof flashing
13.meter base
14.house entry
List 2 functions of the drip loop. correct answers1. Prevents water entry into
the conduit or service entrance conductors.
15.Shows that the service drop wires are not straining the splices.
Roughly 999 out of 1000 houses have volts available. correct
answers240
Roughly 999 out of 1000 houses have service entrance wires.
correct answers3
Load calculations are part of a home inspection. correct
answersFalse 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
answerse.
,What is the largest single-phase service that you are likely to find in a
home? correct answers400 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 answersa. 6 gauge
b. 4 gauge
c. 2-0 gauge
Which of the following is a reliable way to identify the service size?
d. the size of the service drop wires
e. the distribution panel rating
f. the service box rating
g. the service entrance conductor
h. the service entrance conduit size correct answersd.
Aluminum is an acceptable service entrance conductor material. True or
False? correct answersTrue
A fused 200-amp service has two 100-amp fuses in the service box. True
or False? correct answersFalse
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 answersFalse
Which of the following is a safety issue:
i. The main fuses have a lower rating than the service entrance wire.
j. The main fuses have a higher rating than the service entrance wire.
k. The service box has a higher rating than the service entrance wires.
l. The service box has the same rating as the service entrance wires.
m.The distribution panel has a larger rating than the service entrance
wires. correct answersb
The service box can be inside, outside, or in the garage. True or
False? correct answersTrue
There can be up to 10 throws to disconnect all the electricity in the
house. True or False? correct answersFalse
The service box may stand alone or may be combined with the distribution
panel. True or False? correct answersTrue
List common conditions you might find in a service box. correct answers1.
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 answers1.
Dissipate electricity from lightning.
2. Avoid static electricity buildup.
The grounding electrode conductor may also be called . correct
answersthe ground wire
You are allowed to ground to the gas piping. True or False? correct
answersFalse
The grounding systems are connected to the house neutral at the .
correct answersService box
From the point where the ground and neutral wires connect, there are 2
paths to ground. What are they? correct answersThrough 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 answers1.
metal water pipes
17.metal rods driven into the ground
18.wires buried in the footings (UFER ground)
19.buried grounding plates or rings
20.frame of metal buildings
21.metal well casings
List common problems found with grounding systems. correct answers1.
no ground
22.ground wire attached to plastic pipe
23.ground wire after meter and valves with no jumper.
24.spliced ground wire
25.poor connection
26.ground connection not accessible
Service entrace conductors run from the service drop to the service box
or service panel. True or False? correct answersTrue
The service size is determined by the amperage and the voltage ratings of
the service. correct answersTrue
Is the service drop overhead or underground? correct
answersOverhead Are service laterals overhead or underground?
correct answersUnderground
The drip loop is typically part of the service drop. True or False?
correct answersFalse
The wire size for the service drop must be the same as the wire size for
the service entrance conductors. True or False? correct answersFalse
How many wires would you typically find in a 240-volt service drop?
correct answers3 What would 4 wires mean? correct answers3-phase
electricity
What would 2 wires usually mean? correct answers120 volt service
List 7 common problems with service drops. correct answers1. 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
answersabove 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 answersservice drop to service box
,All service entrance conductors must be in conduit. True or
False? correct answersFalse
All service entrance conductors must be attached above roof level. True
or False? correct answersFalse
The drip loop should be as close to the roof as possible. True or
False? correct answersFalse
List 10 common problems with service entrance conductors. correct
answers1. 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
answers1. conduit joints
11.mast head
12.roof flashing
13.meter base
14.house entry
List 2 functions of the drip loop. correct answers1. Prevents water entry into
the conduit or service entrance conductors.
15.Shows that the service drop wires are not straining the splices.
Roughly 999 out of 1000 houses have volts available. correct
answers240
Roughly 999 out of 1000 houses have service entrance wires.
correct answers3
Load calculations are part of a home inspection. correct
answersFalse 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
answerse.
,What is the largest single-phase service that you are likely to find in a
home? correct answers400 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 answersa. 6 gauge
b. 4 gauge
c. 2-0 gauge
Which of the following is a reliable way to identify the service size?
d. the size of the service drop wires
e. the distribution panel rating
f. the service box rating
g. the service entrance conductor
h. the service entrance conduit size correct answersd.
Aluminum is an acceptable service entrance conductor material. True or
False? correct answersTrue
A fused 200-amp service has two 100-amp fuses in the service box. True
or False? correct answersFalse
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 answersFalse
Which of the following is a safety issue:
i. The main fuses have a lower rating than the service entrance wire.
j. The main fuses have a higher rating than the service entrance wire.
k. The service box has a higher rating than the service entrance wires.
l. The service box has the same rating as the service entrance wires.
m.The distribution panel has a larger rating than the service entrance
wires. correct answersb
The service box can be inside, outside, or in the garage. True or
False? correct answersTrue
There can be up to 10 throws to disconnect all the electricity in the
house. True or False? correct answersFalse
The service box may stand alone or may be combined with the distribution
panel. True or False? correct answersTrue
List common conditions you might find in a service box. correct answers1.
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 answers1.
Dissipate electricity from lightning.
2. Avoid static electricity buildup.
The grounding electrode conductor may also be called . correct
answersthe ground wire
You are allowed to ground to the gas piping. True or False? correct
answersFalse
The grounding systems are connected to the house neutral at the .
correct answersService box
From the point where the ground and neutral wires connect, there are 2
paths to ground. What are they? correct answersThrough 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 answers1.
metal water pipes
17.metal rods driven into the ground
18.wires buried in the footings (UFER ground)
19.buried grounding plates or rings
20.frame of metal buildings
21.metal well casings
List common problems found with grounding systems. correct answers1.
no ground
22.ground wire attached to plastic pipe
23.ground wire after meter and valves with no jumper.
24.spliced ground wire
25.poor connection
26.ground connection not accessible
