N.M. Admin. Code § 16.66.7.16

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 17, September 10, 2024

Section 16.66.7.16 - ELECTRICAL

A. The licensee shall inspect:

(1) Service drop (overhead) or the readily accessible components of the service lateral (underground);

(2) service entrance conductors and cables;

(3) service equipment and main disconnects;

(4) service and system grounding;

(5) interior Components of service distribution panelboards and secondary panelboards by removing the panelboards dead front cover.

(a) When, as determined by the licensee, primary electrical distribution panelboards or secondary panelboards and their related dead front covers and fasteners are readily accessible, the inspector will remove the dead front covers of such panelboards in order to examine readily accessible components installed on their interiors.

(b) Use of tools to remove dead front covers is specifically excluded when dead front covers or their fasteners are painted or otherwise sealed into place or when they cannot be removed with a standard, non-power-assisted slot head or Phillips head screwdriver or hex head nut driver.

(c) Exception for home inspector safety: The home inspector is not required to remove the covers of the service and distribution panels when hazardous conditions are present. The home inspector should use caution whenever removing the covers of service and distribution panels. Before touching the fasteners and cover, the home inspector should use available voltage test tools to verify if the panel assembly, panel dead front, and fasteners have live voltage conditions. Example tools include voltage sniffers, neon bulb testers, three light testers or voltmeters.

(6) Conductors (wiring methods);

(7) overcurrent protection devices;

(8) presence of labeling of overcurrent protection devices;

(9) ground fault circuit interrupter ("GFCI") protection devices;

(10) arc fault circuit interrupter ("AFCI") protection devices;

(11) a representative number of installed lighting fixtures, switches, and receptacles; and

(12) the polarity and grounding of all readily accessible receptacles within six feet of interior plumbing fixtures, in the attached garage or carport, and on the exterior of inspected structures.

B. In the home inspection report, the licensee shall describe at least the following:

(1) Service location type: overhead service drop or underground service lateral;

(2) amperage and voltage rating of the service;

(3) service and system grounding and bonding (i.e. concrete encased, ground rod, equipotential cold-water metal pipe);

(4) location of main service entry and distribution panelboards and the associated disconnects;

(5) predominant branch circuit wiring methods;

(6) presence or absence of smoke detectors and alarms;

(7) presence or absence of carbon monoxide detectors and alarms;

(8) presence or absence of ground fault circuit interrupter ("GFCI") protection devices;

(9) presence or absence of arc fault circuit interrupter ("AFCI") protection devices;

(10) any unused circuit-breaker panel opening that was not filled;

(11) the presence of solid conductor aluminum branch-circuit wiring;

(12) any tested receptacle in which power was not present, polarity was incorrect, the cover was not in place, the GFCI devices were not properly installed or did not operate properly, there was evidence of arcing or excessive heat, or where the receptacle was not grounded or was not secured to the wall;

(13) wiring methods which are not consistent with generally established practices such as terminations, multiple tapping of hot and neutral conductors, insulation, improper color-coding of conductor insulation, over-stripping, securing and protection of conductors, and bonding of components.

(14) condition of visible conductors and insulation (damaged, scorched, burned, or melted insulation; nicked conductors; cut off strands of multiple strand conductors, anti-oxidant compound on aluminum conductors, etc.);

(15) corrosion on components; and

(16) the presence a utility interactive system (i.e. solar, wind turbine, and electric vehicle charging systems).

C. The licensee is not required to inspect:

(1) Remote control devices;

(2) Low voltage wiring systems and components;

(3) Ancillary wiring systems and components not a part of the primary electrical power distribution system;

(4) Private or emergency electrical supply systems;

(5) Surge protection devices or lightning arrestors.

D. The licensee is not required to:

(1) Operate electrical systems that are shut down;

(2) test or operate overcurrent protection devices except ground fault and arc fault circuit interrupters;

(3) test or operate any overcurrent device or safety device in the electrical service panel or elsewhere that may adversely affect the personal property or activity of the resident;

(4) determine the accuracy of the labeling of all overcurrent protection devices;

(5) calculate or measure amperage, voltage, and impedance;

(6) determine (present or future) service capacity amperage, voltage, or the capacity, when not readily accessible, of the electrical system or main service equipment;

(7) determine the age and type of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms;

(8) test or determine the interconnectivity or effectiveness of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms;

(9) verify that smoke or carbon monoxide alarms are interconnected or suitable for the hearing-impaired;

(10) insert any tool, probe, or testing device inside panels or dismantle any electrical device or control other than to remove the primary electrical distribution panelboards or secondary panelboards and their related dead front covers and fasteners when no hazard conditions exist and when readily accessible;

(11) remove the covers of junction, fixture, receptacle, or switch boxes unless specifically required by this standard; and

(12) the home inspector is not required to remove electrical device covers when removal would damage or mar any painted surface or covering materials.

N.M. Admin. Code § 16.66.7.16

Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXI, Issue 23, December 15, 2020, eff. 1/15/2021, Amended by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXII, Issue 23, December 14, 2021, eff. 1/14/2022