[electricalguru]

In dwellings and for new and old installations.

1. Are AFCI's the way to go, and are they required when replacing receptacles or fixtures in a bedroom?

2. How are we supposed to test a GFCI?

3. Is there really a problem when VD shows up during an inspection, or is reversed polarity more of a concern?

4. Which one of the associations is the best when it comes to home inspections?

[tkrussell]

Your post heading "What are the 10 most common violations?", does not match your list of questions, and is a much more general question than I care to answer.

However, I will be glad to tackle the list.

1. AFCI protection is required by NEC in all new wiring of bedrooms, new construction and remodeled or rewired.

Existing bedrooms are never required to be upgraded to AFCI, unless the bedroom is remodeled to the point of removing wallboard.

Simply replacing devices,such as receptacles, switches, light fixtures will not warrant any existing bedroom wiring to be upgraded to AFCI protection.

2. First of all, who is "we"? A homeowner? An electrical inspector? A home inspector?
An owner is responsible to test their GFI device monthly by using the device's test button.
An inspector can do the same, or can be done using a GFI tester, there are several styles available.

3.Vd, (Voltage Drop) is as much as a concern as reverse polarity.

However, reverse polarity usually means some wiring connection is reversed in the circuit, and can be corrected by locating the miswired connection(s) and making the proper changes.

Voltage drop, and I assume that this is found by using a circuit analyzer/tester, typically used by inspectors, that applies a known load on a circuit at a known voltage and gives the resulting volt drop in volts or percentage, can be a more subtle indication of other problems.

Since a typical home rarely has circuit lengths of the magnitude to cause Vd, any voltage drop found usually is an indication of poor, loose, or corroded connections in that circuit, assuming the voltage at the service is at nominal levels.

4. Sorry, but being having been the electrician that has been hired,usually by the property seller, to read and interpret the home report, discount the recommended corrections that are not really problems, and effect the repairs of legitimate damage or violations, I admit to having a biased opinion of the electrical knowledge of home inspectors, and have no opinion of any association.

Let me say that I do agree that every home buyer should hire a qualified, reputable home inspector before ever committing to the purchase of any real estate, as I do see the benefit of having a someone look over the entire building and provide a report of the general condition.

Since most inspectors, I believe, are independent contractors, and only are "members" of these "associations", I question the training and knowledge that some may have, as I can usually find so much more problems after they are done.

[electricalguru]

Thanks again!