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Electrical Permit Required ChartElectrical Home Inspection

During a typical home inspection many types of electrical issues can be discovered.  Your home’s electrical system is a vital component of protecting your family—and anyone who buys your home. Electrical distribution or lighting equipment in the home remains the 4th leading cause of home fires, according to the National Fire Prevention Association.  When there is problems with wiring circuits or panel boards the Home Inspector will identify the issue and recommend a licenced electrician be called in for further evaluation and repair.

Aluminum Wiring was common in older homes built between 1965 and 1972.  Many insurance companies will not insure a home that has aluminum wiring.  Read More about Aluminum Wiring

Do It Your Self Electrical Wiring

Home owners doing their own wiring during a renovation is by far the most common issue found during home inspections.  Once this issue has been idenified it opens up a whole can of worms.   #1 – the renovation was completed without the required building permit.  #2  There was no required electrical permit or inspection carried out.  #3  All the hidden wiring behind walls or that is other wise inaccessible is now suspect.  #4 The problems could branch out into issues with plumbing and heating that may have been installed or modified.

Reversed Polarity Issues

Reversed polarity occurs when the hot wire is connected to the neutral and vice versa for the neutral wire.   While your outlet will still power appliances and equipment it can be very dangerous.  A device plugged into a receptacleElectrical Outlet with Reversed Polarity with reversed polarity can remain energized even when turned off, which can short-circuit the device. Devices plugged into an outlet with reversed polarity may appear to work as usual but are unsafe and can shock you.   For a table lamp of light fixture the part that the bulb screws into, which is typically connected to neutral and not live, now becomes live which becomes a shock hazard if you contact it while installing bulb.  You can have the same risk of shock when touching a small appliance.

Home inspectors use a Polarity Tester to verify the outlets and circuits in your home.  A single circuit can contain 12 outlets on a 15 amp breaker.  If one outlet is incorrectly wired with reversed polarity it will affect every outlet that is downstream.   It is important to understand this principal before starting to rewire outlets.  Typically it is the first outlet closest to the panel board that is the culprit.

Home owners should leave all electrical modifications and new installations to licensed electrical contractors.  You and your families safety is not worth the small savings versus the large risk. 

Electrical Installation Rules

Electrical work is complicated and mistakes can be serious. If you hire someone to do electrical work in your home, by Ontario law, they must be a Licensed Electrical Contractor (see exceptions*).  Licensed Electrical Contractors are trained in and understand the safety requirements associated with electrical installations.

General service providers cannot do electrical work in residences unless they hold an electrical contractor’s licence. If you hire a general contractor, confirm that a licensed subcontractor will do the electrical work. A Licensed Electrical Contractor must display their licence number. Ask to see it. You can find a Licensed Electrical Contractor or confirm that your contractor holds a valid licence at https://findacontractor.esasafe.com/

*Exceptions:

  • Maintenance, service and repair work on equipment when done by an employer or agent of the equipment manufacturer;
  • Work done within an industrial establishment or on a farm by an owner, operator or employee;
  • Work on refrigeration and air conditioning units by qualified Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics;
  • Work done on elevators and escalators by a person authorized by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority;
  • Work on fire protection systems by qualified sprinkler and fire protection installers;
  • Work on natural gas or propane appliances by an approved certificate holder; and
  • Maintenance, service or repair on electrical equipment that plugs into an electrical source. This work must not include extending or altering the equipment or installing, extending, altering or repairing any electrical wiring connected to the equipment.

Electrical work can also be done in a home by the homeowner or occupant. (An occupant is someone living in a residence or using the premises, as a tenant or owner; or a person who takes possession of property that has no known owner.) If you choose to do the work yourself, be aware of the responsibilities and risks. Ensure the work is done according to the Ontario Electrical Safety Code and file all required notifications of work to ESA.

Reviewing Your Work

You must get your work reviewed by ESA as soon as it is complete. The inspection process may vary depending on the project.

  • Complicated installations may need an inspection at several stages. New or renovated home electrical inspections may require one of two types of inspections:
    • Rough-in: This inspection occurs when all branch circuit wiring and outlet boxes are installed, but the wiring is not hidden by insulation, vapour barrier, drywall, etc. See more about rough-in inspections.
    • Final: Ask for the final inspection as soon as possible after the completion of electrical installation. See more about final inspection.
  • Remember: Do not to conceal the work before ESA has reviewed it.
  • If you already filed a notification, you may submit an online Request for Inspection to ESA.
  • Once your work has been reviewed and approved, ESA will issue a Certificate of Acceptance. It’s an important document for insurance purposes and resale.
  • If the work doesn’t comply with the OESC, the Inspector will issue a “defect notice” outlining the necessary corrections. Don’t worry if you receive a defect notice — this is only for your safety.
    • When you make the required corrections, the Inspector will review your work again and issue the Certificate of Acceptance.

Reference Chart for Permits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When working in older homes remember Asbestos could be a hazard. Use the Wasaga Beach Asbestos Testing Service for fast certified laboratory test results.  Any home built befor the late 1980’s  has the possibilty of having products containing asbestos.  ( Many contractors will not work on older homes until asbestos testing has been completed.