NHIE National Home Inspector Examination Practice Questions
Prepare for NHIE with more than an answer.
- 1
When inspecting an electrical subpanel located in an attached garage fed by a four-wire feeder from the main service panelboard, what is the primary electrical safety reason why the neutral bus must remain unbonded (floating) from the panel enclosure?
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Correct answer: A
Downstream bonding of neutral to ground creates parallel return paths. Normal operating neutral current would energize metal cabinets, creating severe shock and fire hazards.
- 2
During a residential inspection, the inspector removes the dead front of an electrical distribution panelboard branded 'Federal Pacific Electric' (FPE) containing 'Stab-Lok' circuit breakers. What critical safety concern is documented for this specific equipment?
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Correct answer: A
FPE Stab-Lok breakers are widely recognized problem components that frequently fail to trip when overloaded, allowing conductors to overheat and ignite framing.
- 3
An inspector removes the dead front of a 200-amp main service panelboard and inspects the interior wiring. Which TWO of the following conditions represent safety defects that must be cited in the report? (Select TWO)
graph TD Main[Main Service Panel] -->|Neutral Bonded to Enclosure| Ground[Grounding Electrode System] Main -->|4-Wire Feeder| Sub[Downstream Subpanel] Sub -->|Neutral Isolated & Floating| NBus[Isolated Neutral Bus] Sub -->|Equipment Ground Bonded| EBus[Enclosure Ground Bus]Show answer details
Correct answer: A, B
Each grounded conductor (neutral) must terminate in an individual terminal screw per NEC/IRC to prevent loose connections or disconnection of an energized circuit's neutral.
Unused knockout openings must be effectively closed with listed knockout seals to contain internal sparks, prevent vermin entry, and shield energized components.
- 4
When inspecting a pedestrian access gate in an outdoor residential swimming pool barrier, the release mechanism for the latch is measured at 48 inches above finished grade. According to Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) guidelines, what additional installation criteria must this latch meet?
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Correct answer: B
CPSC guidelines require latches mounted below 54 inches to be on the pool side at least 3 inches below the top, with openings limited to 1/2 inch within 18 inches to prevent reaching through.
- 5
During an exterior site inspection, an inspector observes a perimeter safety fence surrounding an inground swimming pool. While the section over concrete patio maintains a 3.5-inch vertical clearance to grade, a 20-foot section runs over a loose gravel bed with a 3.5-inch vertical clearance. How should the inspector evaluate this condition?
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Correct answer: B
While 4 inches is permissible over solid surfaces like concrete, CPSC guidelines require maximum clearance of 2 inches over non-solid surfaces like gravel or turf to prevent children crawling under.
- 6
True or False: According to established residential pool barrier safety standards, an outdoor pedestrian access gate leading into a swimming pool enclosure is permitted to swing inward toward the pool, provided it is equipped with a self-closing and self-latching device.
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Correct answer: A
Pedestrian access gates must open outward away from the swimming pool area so that a small child leaning or pushing against the unlatched gate cannot force it open into the pool enclosure.
