Who can verify the safety of electrical systems in your area? Are there local or State inspectors, and do home inspectors inspect the wiring too, and do they have to be licensed?

Each state legislates laws for electrical inspections, which all will only be for new construction or installations to be compliant with the electrical code that state has adopted plus any changes that state has adopted.

So best to start with your city or town building dept. or Code Enforcement Office. They can explain what government agency is responsible for electrical inspections in your area.

The important thing to remember is that government agency's only are responsible for new installations.

"Home Inspectors" are for existing homes, and probably vary from state to state, but generally are for the purpose of inspecting an entire home for defects, such as roof condition or leaks, siding, termites, plumbing condition, etc.

Here is an excerpt from the American Society of Home Inspectors (http://www.ashi.org/) FAQ:

What does a home inspection include?
The standard home inspector's report will cover the condition of the home's heating system; central air conditioning system (temperature permitting); interior plumbing and electrical systems; the roof, attic and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; the foundation, basement and structural components.

Here they provide a list of the states that regulate home inspectors (http://www.ashi.org/inspectors/state.asp)

Here they provide a general list of what will be inspected for the electrical system. (http://www.ashi.org/inspectors/standards/standards7.asp#)

Home inspectors are looking for the obvious visual problems, such as open junction boxes or panels, hanging uncapped wires, etc. They do use a GFI tester to actually test the operation of GFI devices, which anyone can buy a tester at a hardware store and test outlets.They state that they identify if the wiring is copper or aluminum.

Unless they have had special training they will not be able to determine if a wire size is correct for that circuit or load, determine if a service is of adequate size for that home, etc.

I suppose each home inspector varies in their knowledge, and experienced ones can do a good job of identifying more subtle problems, but, unless they have the years of training of an electrician, will not be able to understand the entire electrical system.

Many state or city inspectors will not look at existing installations unless new work has been done. They will usually advice you to hire an electrician. This is because inspectors are not allowed to open any equipment or devices, and since that they inspect wiring as it is going in when exposed.

Many inspectors do not do calculations, they certainly know how to, but are not responsible to do them, and will ask for an electrician do have the calcs done and presented to the inspector.

A licensed electrician can do anything such as open panels, junction boxes, outlets , etc. and understand the entire circuit and system.

So to summarize:
Municipal inspectors only inspect new installations for code compliance as certified by each state.
Home inspectors only do visual inspections and report obvious problems and are not knowledgeable about code.
Licensed Electricians(when applicable in each state) can do a complete inspection.

One confusing issue is that an existing home does not need to be compliant with current electrical code.

So really depends on your circumstance and what you are trying to accomplish.

I hope this helps.

Thank you for your detailed reply. Do Home Inspectors have enough experience to work on the removal of a panel cover when they electrical system is energized? Do you know if they wear PPE?

They should not be opening panel covers, only licensed qualified people are allowed, and I doubt they know what PPE means.

The actual hazard category for opening a 240 volt panel is low, but still requires FR rated clothing and rated flash eye protection.

Of course, NFPA 70 E is relatively new, and can be a challenge to get "old timers" to comply.

Anyone opening any energized electrical equipment is exposed to risk of arc flash, and should be trained and prepared.

I am glad you agree with my concerns. When you say: "New England and the USA" are we thinking about the New England States in the USA, or UK?

I have noticed some serious discussion over on Home Inspector - The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (http://www.NACHI.org) related to the PPE and some: "we know what we are doing and have not been hurt so far as records will show, only electricians show up who were hurt!"

Do you know of any accidents where a Home Inspector was hurt?