Reliable Electrical Inspections

 AFCIs
An AFCI is intended to de-energize the circuit when it detects the current waveform characteristics unique to an arcing fault [100].

AFCI protection is required for the entire length of the branch circuit per 210.12(B) through (C) . AFCI protection is not required for outlets in bathroom areas, garages, or outside. But it is required for 15A or 20A, 120V branch circuits in the following dwelling unit locations [210.12(B)]:
(1) Kitchens
(2) Family rooms
(3) Dining rooms
(4) Living rooms
(5) Parlors
(6) Libraries
(7) Dens
(8) Bedrooms
(9) Sunrooms
(10) Recreation rooms
(11) Closets
(12) Hallways
(13) Laundry areas
(14) Similar areas

AFCI protection is required for 15A or 20A, 120V branch circuits in the following dormitory unit locations [210.12(C)]:
(1) Bedrooms
(2) Living rooms
(3) Hallways
(4) Closets
(5) Bathrooms
(6) Similar rooms

AFCI protection is required for 15A and 20A, 120V branch circuits in the following other occupancy locations 210.12(D)]:
(1) Guest rooms and guest suites of hotels and motels.
(2) Nursing homes and limited care facilities, areas used exclusively as patient sleeping rooms.
(3) Areas designed for use exclusively as sleeping quarters in fire stations, police stations, ambulance stations, rescue stations, ranger stations, and similar locations.

If 15A or 20A, 120V branch-circuit wiring is extended, modified, or replaced in any of the areas specified in 210.12(B), (C), or (D), the wiring must be AFCI protected by one of the following [210.12(E)]:
(1) AFCI circuit breaker.
(2) AFCI receptacle installed at the first receptacle outlet of the existing branch circuit.

Ex: AFCI protection is not required for extension wiring that is less than 6 ft long if no outlets or devices, other than splicing devices, are added. This measurement does not include the conductors inside an enclosure, cabinet, or junction box.

GFCI protection for dwellings
GFCI protection must be provided as required in 210.8(A) through (F). GFCI protective devices must be in a readily accessible location.

You can provide the GFCI protection using either a GFCI circuit breaker or a GFCI receptacle. To apply 210.8(A)(8) or (10), 210.8(B)(7), (13), and (15), the distance you measure from the sink or bathtub/shower is the shortest path the power-supply cord connected to the receptacle will follow without piercing a floor, wall, ceiling, or fixed barrier.

With the 2023 revision, the reference to windows and doors was removed to ensure GFCI protection for receptacles within the measured distance as required in 210.8 even if the measurement line passes through a window or door.

A GFCI circuit breaker provides ground-fault protection starting at the breaker, so the entire circuit has ground-fault protection. A GFCI receptacle provides ground-fault protection for whatever is plugged into it; it has load-side terminals that provide downstream protection for any other receptacle(s) or device(s) on the circuit.

Receptacles installed in the following dwelling unit locations must be GFCI protected (and the GFCI device must be in a readily accessible location) [210.24(A)]. Figure 01
(1) Bathrooms.
(2) Garages and accessory buildings.
(3) Outdoors.
(4) Crawl spaces (at or below grade).
(5) Basements.
(6) Kitchens.
Traditionally this requirement applied only to kitchen countertop receptacles, but now any cord-and-plug-connected appliance in the kitchen such as the range receptacle, refrigerator receptacle, disposal receptacle, and microwave receptacle now require GFCI protection.
(7) Food or beverage preparation or cooking areas.
(8) Sinks (receptacles within 6 ft of the top inside edge of the bowl of a dwelling unit sink).
(9) Boathouses.
The Code does not require installing a receptacle in a boathouse, but any that are in a boathouse must be GFCI protected.
(10) Bathtubs or shower stalls (receptacles within 6 ft of the outside edge of a bathtub or shower stall not installed within a bathroom).
(11) Laundry areas.
(12) Damp and Wet Locations Indoors.

Ex 1: GFCI protection is not required for a receptacle dedicated to fixed electric snow-melting equipment if the receptacle is not readily accessible and ground-fault protection of equipment (GFPE) is provided as required by 426.28 and 427.22.

Ex 2: GFCI protection is not required for a receptacle supplying only a permanently installed premises security system.

Ex 4: GFCI protection is not required for receptacles in dwelling unit bathroom exhaust fans, unless specified by the fan instructions.

The receptacle for exhaust fans is internal to the exhaust fan. They are not accessible as a convenience cord-and-plug receptacle, therefore GFCI protection is not required. Per UL Guide Information GPWX, exhaust fans installed in the area directly above the footprint (width and depth of the equipment) of the bathtub or shower must be GFCI protected

We typically provide the inspection report within 1-2 weeks of the inspection. However, if you need it sooner, we can often provide a same-day report for an additional fee.

For single gang meter enclosures. National Grid requires they be no lower than 42" and no higher than 66" above finished grade. Measuring to the center of the socket. A minimum of 3" is required around the electrical meter can. The electrical meter must be 36" away from the closet edge of the meter can, to the center of the gas meter baffle.

NEC  Articles 110.26 (A) (1) (A) (2) (A) (3) & 240.24  (F)

30" wide x 36" deep x 78" from finished floor or final grade, is required for working clearances.