Electric Panel Inspection
Electric Panel Inspection
Course Outline
By
Casey, O’Malley Associates
- Course description/abstract: This two-hour session with Mike Casey and Steve Gladstone will cover a brief history of alternating current and inspection of electric panel boards exclusively. We will discuss modalities and evidences of failures and/or improper installations and review many actual case studies. This session will review installations from 30-Ampere 120-Volts to modern 400-Ampere 120/240-Volt. We will cover sub-panels and grounded conductor isolation and some of the more problematic panels such as Zinsco and others.
- Goal: Upon completion of this class, students will be more knowledgeable regarding the fundamental conditions found in electric panel boards and application to residential inspection. Students will also be more knowledgeable regarding the appropriate conditions observed that warrant recommendation of further analysis. Actual panels and live exercise will be used at the session.
- Learning Objectives: Upon completion of the course students will be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of:
- Nomenclature specific to various panel boards and their relation to Home Inspection
- Identify capacities of various panel boards and service equipment
- Identify Modalities and evidences of failure
- Common “defects” and recognition
- Books and Handouts: PowerPoint Presentation by Michael Casey
- Evaluation: Class participation
Class Schedule – 2 Hours
- Alternating Current history 15 mins
- Electrical current flow and neutral separation 20 mins
- Older fused services and 120V systems 10 mins
- Various service equipment (60 to 400 Amp) panel inspection 30 mins
- Sub-panels and inspection 25 mins
- Live (participation, not energy) panel inspection exercise 20 mins
Stephen Gladstone, ACI, has been inspecting homes since 1983 and is the President of Stonehollow
Fine Home Inspections a multi-inspector home inspection and environmental testing company. He is
licensed in CT, NY and MA. He has served as President of both the Southern New England and Coastal CT.
Chapters of the American Society of Home Inspectors & was ASHI’s National President in 2004. Steve was
Managing Instructor and Campus Director of Kaplan Professional Schools (ITA) in New Haven & Manhattan
for 6 years. And is the Managing Instructor of The “ASHI School” in Stamford. He has written many
articles for local papers, has been nationally interviewed in Reader's Digest and The Wall Street Journal,
featured on “Ask This Old House” tv show and many syndicated radio shows. Steve is a contributing
author for the ASHI® Reporter and many other periodicals. His newest book “The Field Guide to Home
Inspections”, was published. He has produced & hosts his own Saturday morning radio show "Around
the House with Steve Gladstone" in CT & NY for the past 11 years. He is a Supervisory Pest Inspector,
Infrared Thermographer and Nationally Certified Radon tester. He lives in Stamford CT.
Michael Casey, ACI, is a partner with Casey, O’Malley Associates; a national A.M. Best recommended
consulting firm based in San Diego. Mike is past president of the California Real Estate Inspection
Association (1994/1995) and of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) (2002). Mike is multicode
certified by the ICC and IAPMO. He is a licensed general, plumbing and mechanical contractor in
several states and a Virginia Certified Home Inspector. Besides co-authoring several books in the Code
Check series, Michael has authored numerous other books, has taught home and building inspection
nationwide and has an expert witness and claims consulting practice throughout North America since
1987. Mike has inspected over 10,000 buildings in his over 25-years career in the inspection profession.
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