Detecting Safety Hazards in a Home's Electrical System
CNHInspections uses industry leading tools to find safety hazards & defects in a home that would otherwise go undetected.
While inspecting homes' electrical systems, including the main panel, sub-panels, receptacles, GFCI protection, AFCI protection, branch wiring etc. we tend to find many defects in homes. The electrical inspection is an important part of a home inspection because electrical defects can lead to house fires and electrocution or shock hazards! The U.S. Fire Administration found that in 2021 there were an estimated 24,200 residential building electrical malfunction fires, and an estimated 296 deaths! Many electrical defects are unintentional, however there is one specific defect that is performed to deceive a potential homebuyer, known as the 'Bootleg Ground'.
WHAT IS A BOOTLEG GROUND?
A "Bootleg" ground is where the original receptacles in the home were two prong receptacles, and three prong receptacles were used to replace them, without running new wiring containing a ground. Then a jumper wire is ran from the neutral screw on the receptacle to the grounding screw on the receptacle giving the false illusion of the receptacle being grounded. This accomplishes nothing other than deceiving someone into believing the receptacle is grounded. (The ground is an important safety feature that minimizes the risk of electric shock, and allows surge protectors to protect your electrical equipment.)
WHAT ARE SAFETY HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH BOOTLEG GROUNDS?
Bootleg grounds can be dangerous when present in conjunction with other electrical defects in the home. For example, if there are other receptacles testing as 'open grounds' or 'reverse polarity', which we commonly find in homes, it can lead to appliances with metal housing i.e. microwaves, refrigerators, washing machines, etc. becoming energized leading to an electrocution hazard. For further understanding regarding how this defect poses an electrocution hazard please refer to the following video below:
HOW DOES CNHINSPECTIONS TEST FOR BOOTLEG GROUNDS?
With our Ideal SureTest® Circuit Analyzer we are able to detect and report upon ‘Bootleg grounds' in a home’s electrical system!
Electrical defects are usually unseen and pose safety hazards. At CNHInspections safety is our priority and safety is what we inspect for! Our general inspection of the home's electrical system informs homebuyers of when a licensed electrician should be called for further evaluation and repair of the system and components!
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