Remote Distribution Panels

Although this topic is covered in other areas, because the emphasis is on safety, it's important to review.

What Is Grounding?

Generally speaking, the difference between grounding and bonding is: Grounding is a direct connection to the earth to aid in removing damaging transient over-voltages due to lightning. The purpose of bonding is to ensure the electrical continuity of the fault current path, to provide the capacity and ability to conduct safely any fault current likely to be imposed, and to aid in the operation of the over-current protection device. Properly bonding all metal parts within an electrical system helps ensure a low-impedance fault current path.

Service Drop

The service drop is the overhead service conductors located between the utility electric supply system and the service point.

The service-entrance cable SEC (blue arrow) is a line of service conductors (white arrows) located between the terminals of the service equipment (main disconnect) and a point usually outside the building, clear of building walls, where they are joined by a tap or splice (orange arrows) to the service drop or overhead service conductors (red arrows).

Plumbing Vents

Depending on location, there are primarily two different types of plumbing vent flashing. The most common in northern climates is the neoprene or metal boot. In Florida and in many other southern states, a lead flashing, which also protects the plastic vent pipe from ultraviolet damage, is more common. The stack vent is provided for the waste stack. The stack vent is the extension of a soil or waste stack above the highest horizontal drain that is connected to the stack. This is the main commonly-observed pipe that is observed penetrating the sloped roof surface, and it may also be visible in the unfinished attic space. This is an inspection image of a stack vent pipe penetrating the roof covering surface.

Valleys are weak spots in roofing systems. They have a lesser slope than the adjacent roof planes. They erode faster because water is directed into them. Inspectors must look not only at visible flashing, but also at the adjacent roof covering, at least a couple of feet on either side.

Many roof problems are caused by issues with the framing and sheathing. In this section, we will focus on the defects that may be viewed from the exterior of the property. This is one of those cases where standing back and taking a good, hard look is better than getting "up close and personal" with the roof.