Texas law requires all electrical work to be performed by licensed and insured electrical contractors and their employees. Homeowners within strict limitations, are exempt from electrical licensing in the city of Carthage.

An owner is a natural person who physically performs electrical work on premises the person owns and actually occupies as a residence and will occupy as a residence upon completion of construction.

Note: On new construction, there will be a minimum of three (3) inspections (temporary power, rough-in and final). Remodeling will require a minimum of rough-in and final. A rough-in inspection must be made before insulation, sheet rock, paneling, or other materials cover any wiring. Underground wiring must be inspected before the trench is backfilled.

This checklist is intended to help prepare for an inspection. This is only a general list and not intended to address all possible conditions. References are to the 2005 National Electrical Code, and the 2003 IRC Residential Code. NOTE: Contractors and homeowners are required to check with the City of Carthage and/or the inspectors to see if any city ordinances add to the requirements of the NEC or the IRC codes.

Please verify all of the following before calling for an electrical inspection.

Permits and Plans         (Numbers in parentheses refer to 2003 IRC Residential Code)
    1. Job address is posted in visible location. (R325.1)
    2. Permit and approved plans and specifications for any engineered systems are on site and accessible to the inspector. (R106.3.1, R105.7)
    3. Permit information is correct (address, permit number, description of work, etc.)

Service
    1. All service drops meet clearance requirements of NEC 230.9 and 230.24.
    2. Service drop point of attachment is minimum 10above finished grade NEC 230.26 and properly attached per NEC 230.27. Service masts meet requirements of NEC 230.28.
    3. Ground rods properly installed NEC 250.53, and ground rod connection to the grounding electrode conductor is exposed for inspection. NOTE: in new construction, rebar grounding is required. NEC 250.52 (A) (3)
    4. Service equipment is properly bonded. NEC 250.92
    5. Minimum 100 amp disconnecting means. NEC 230.79(c)
    6. Location of the service disconnecting means shall be readily accessible (front one-third of the dwelling closest to normal public access) NEC 230.70
    7. Service shall not be over dwellings, carports or buildings.
    8. Mobile home service equipment shall be located adjacent to and not mounted in or on the mobile home. NEC 550.32
    9. Mobile home service equipment shall be located in sight from and not more than 30' from the exterior wall of the mobile home it serves. NEC 550.32
    10. Mobile homes shall have neither the frame of the mobile home nor the frame of any appliance connected to the grounded circuit conductor (neutral). NEC 550.16

NOTE: It is recommended to contact Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) to obtain an Electric Service Handbook if unsure of the requirements for Residential service. (Overhead, Underground and Temporary service)

Service Panel
    1. Service panel and sub-panels are properly labeled and needed panel blanks are in place. NEC 110.22
    2.  All conductors are protected against over-current with proper sized breakers. NEC 240.4
    3. All required working spaces are provided NEC 110.26
    4. Sub-panels feeding building or structures. NEC 250.32

General
    1. Installation of all devices, fixtures and wiring is complete and according to manufacturer's installation requirements.
    2. Outside receptacles have proper weatherproof enclosures and are GFCI protected. NEC 406.8 and 210.8(A)(3)
    3. All receptacles are mounted correctly. NEC 406.4 All switch and receptacle faceplates are installed properly. NEC 404.9 and 406.5
    4. Boxes installed in walls or ceiling are installed flush from the finished surface of wood or other combustible material. NEC 314.20
    5. Cable installed in attics is protected in accordance with NEC 320.23
    6. Switches and receptacles are bonded where required by NEC 250.110
    7. All wiring terminations occur in boxes. NEC 300.15
    8. All habitable rooms and bathrooms have at least one wall switch controlled lighting outlet. NEC 210.70
    9. Ceiling fans are supported by approved fan boxes. NEC 422.18
    10. In addition to the branch circuits installed to supply general illumination and receptacle outlets in dwelling units, the following minimum requirements apply:
             a. Two 20 amp circuits for the kitchen receptacles
             b. One 20 amp circuit for the laundry receptacles.
             c. One 20 amp circuit for the bathroom receptacles.
             d. One separate individual branch circuit for the central heating equipment.

Bedrooms
    1. Bedroom circuits are protected by listed Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters. NEC 210.12 (B)
    2. Bedrooms are provided with hard-wired interconnected smoke alarms per IRC Residential Code (313)

Closets
    1. Closet light fixtures are listed for the use and are installed per NEC 410 (8)
            a. Surface mounted incandescent fixtures installed on the wall above the door or on the ceiling have a minimum clearance of 12" between the fixture and the nearest point of storage. Fluorescent fixtures have a 6" minimum clearance.
             b. Recessed fluorescent fixtures or recessed incandescent fixtures with a completely enclosed lamp installed in a wall or the ceiling have a minimum 6" clearance between the fixture and the nearest point of storage space.

Bathrooms
    1. All receptacles are GFCI protected including "hydro-massage" type bathtubs. NEC 210.8 (A) (1)
    2. A removable panel to access any "hydro-massage" type pump shall be provided.

Kitchens
    1. Receptacles serving countertops are GFCI protected. NEC 210.8 (A)(6)
    2. Receptacles are provided at countertops in accordance with NEC 210.52 (C)(1) through (C)(5)

Laundry Areas
    1. At least one receptacle outlet is supplied for the laundry. NEC 210.52 (F)
    2. FGCI protection is required where a receptacle is installed within 6' of the outside edge of sink. NEC 210.8 (A)(7)

Outdoors
    1. At least one receptacle outlet accessible at grade level and not more than 6 1/2 feet above grade is installed at the front and the back of the dwelling. NEC 210.52 (E)
    2. GFCI protection is provided for all outside receptacles. NEC 210.8 (3)
    3. At least one wall switch controlled lighting outlet is installed to provide illumination on the exterior of the outdoor entrances or exits from the dwelling and attached garages or detached garages with electric power. NEC 210.70(2)(b)

Basements and Garages
    1. In addition to any laundry outlet, at least one receptacle outlet is installed in each basement and in each attached garage, and in each detached garage with electric power. NEC 210.52 (G)
    2. All garage receptacle outlets are provided with GFCI protection. NEC 210.8 (2)
    3. At least one switch controlled lighting outlet is provided in basements and attached garages or detached garages with electric power. NEC 210.70 (2) and (3)

Hallways and Stairways
    1. Hallways 10' or more in length have at least one receptacle outlet. NEC 210.52 (H)
    2. Hallways and stairways have at least one wall switch controlled lighting outlet. Where one or more lighting outlets is installed for interior stairways, there is a wall switch at each floor level and landing level that includes an entryway to control the lighting outlet where the stairway between floor levels has six or more risers. NEC 210.70 (2)c

Swimming Pools, Fountains and Similar Installations
    1. This applies to the construction and installation of electrical wiring for and equipment in or adjacent to all swimming, wading, therapeutic and decorative pools, fountains, hot tubs, spas, and hydro-massage bathtubs, whether permanently installed or storable, and to metallic auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, filters and similar equipment. NEC 680

An article is subject to change as the City of Carthage adopts new codes or ordinances. For questions, please call John Ramsey, City Electrical & Plumbing Inspector, at (903) 692-2095.