Is an Electrical Inspection Needed?

Question

If you change all your two prong outlet to a GFI outlet, do you need to have the work inspected by an electrical inspector?

Answer 1

No

Answer 2

To do this properly, you need to verify that there is a ground at each of the outlets. This is part of what the inspector will do. I hope that there are ground wires in each location. If there is no ground wire in the outlet box, the GFI is not able to operate properly, if at all. To answer the specific about required inspection, probably not. It depends on how much work you are having done. I would suggest that you hire a qualified professional electrician.

Answer 3

Hummmm!

Now this depends on where you live. You have to go by the law or code in your area.

It is differient eveywhere. State to State, Community to Community.

You really do need to check the requirements in you area and find out what they are.

Answer 4

You do not replace "all" of your outlets with GFIC outlets. One at the beginning of that particular run will suffice. Getting all the outlets grounded will take some work though.

Answer 5

Sorry but yes. if you are going from 2 prong that means your house is old. part of the permit process is there to notify the fire dept of the specifics of your home. today many fire depts can pull up a floor plan of your house if they need to  this allows them to be more effective. if you don't get a permit but you up grade your electrical it could negatively impact there ability to asses an emergency. that in turn could create insurance problems  (most insurance company's have clauses that allow them to refuse payment if you don't permit all electrical plumbing and structural changes to a dwelling)  

Answer 6

Profquill knows what he is talking about.

Normally, a permit is required if you add or extend a branch circuit (though obviously the laws may vary). If you are just replacing a bad switch, recept or light fixture, I would be surprised if you would be expected to get a permit. Simply call the city or state office and ask them.

As for the GFI, good idea. I assume you have no grounding means at the receptacle location. NEC will permit a GFI recept to be installed without a grounding connection, the logic to this is that it is better than a recept without it, even if there is no grounding connection.

As mentioned, you can install one at the first recept location on a string and (if properly wired) will protect all downstream outlets (this will save you money).

You MUST mark all recepts on the circuit to indicate that they have GFCI protection but Do Not have a grounding connection. This is to serve as a warning to users that the recept does not have a grounding conductor. If you just put one GFI recept in the line to protect the downstream recepts (and leave them with the original 2 prong recepts), some day you will want to plug something in with a 3 prong plug.

Answer 7

Yes .... here's why.  Most of the time you only need an inspection if a permit has been pulled, either by you or a contractor.  This usually means that you are adding or changing something on a larger scale than your outlet.  Technically anytime you change something electrically in your home you should have it inspected.  

Reality.... Most people do not have small things inspected.  If it's in your home, the inspector can't see it.  As long as you feel comfortable doing it, do it.  Just make sure you hook up everything correctly and make sure that all your terminals / screws are tight on the wire.

Moneysaver.... you don't need to change all your outlets to GFCI's.  You only need to change the outlet where power comes in first.  If you follow the instructions correctly, all the outlets that follow the first will be protected as well.  You should definitly change all your outlets to the grounding type, three prong.  Even more of a saver..... you only need GFCI's on kitchen and bath countertops, basement outlets, whirlpool tubs and any exterior outlets.  Anything else would be a little overkill.  Besides that is all the National Electric Code requires in a home.  

Hope I helped.

Answer 8

Not unless the electrician got a permit from the city to do the work. If he did, the city will have to inspect his work. If not,,,,,don't worry about it.

Answer 9

NO.

Answer 10

Concerning inspection, I agree with the poster who said it depends on where you live.  Some cities have very strict codes, others not, although usually replacing an outlet, even with a GFCI, is OK.

However, I have to chime in on the poster who said that a GFCI needs to be grounded.  Nope.  The protection works by sensing the differential currents between the hot and neutral, they should be precisely equal.  If they differ, that means some current is leaking out, ostensibly through the user, meaning there's a shock hazard and it will shut off.

This protection does not depend on a safety ground connection, and in fact is a recommended way to protect an outlet when no such ground is available.

Code says that in such a case you should attach a sticker noting "No Equipment Ground" to advise the user that indeed it is not grounded.

Answer 11

No. You only need to have major electrical work inspected, like

putting on an addition or changing the meter.