ELECTRICAL TEMPLATES · CHECKLIST

Electrical inspection checklist

Written by Chameera Sampath · Not yet reviewed by a licensed electrician. See the methodology.

What an electrical inspection checklist is

An electrical inspection checklist is a list of the conditions an inspector, contractor or technician verifies on an electrical installation, recorded item by item as passed, failed or not applicable. On new work it follows the stages at which the authority having jurisdiction inspects, usually a rough-in inspection before walls are closed and a final inspection before the building is occupied.

Contractors run the same list before calling for an inspection, so that missing nail plates, overfilled boxes or unlabeled circuits are found by the crew rather than by the inspector.

What's included

Five sections with starting items: Service and grounding, Panelboards, Rough-in (boxes, cable support, box fill and nail plates), Final (devices, GFCI and AFCI protection, labeling and the panel directory) and Outdoor and special locations.

Every item takes a Pass, Fail or N/A result, a note and a photo note for the file name or location of a photo. Items can be edited, added, removed and moved up or down. A job header records the job name, address, inspector or technician and date, with an optional business name and logo, and a progress count shows how many items have been checked. The checklist saves in the browser and downloads as a US Letter PDF report without Ampxa branding.

How to use it

Enter the job name, address, the person carrying out the inspection and the date.
Remove items that do not apply to the job, or mark them N/A, and add any items the local inspector is known to look for.
Work through the rough-in section before insulation and drywall, and the final section once devices, covers and luminaires are installed.
Record each result, with a note for every Fail describing the location and what needs correcting.
Download the PDF and keep it with the job file, or hand it to the customer.

Several items depend on a calculation rather than a look. Box fill can be checked with the box fill calculator, and breaker ratings against the load with the breaker size calculator. The difference between GFCI and AFCI protection is explained in GFCI vs AFCI, the service grounding items in grounding and bonding explained, and the path from the panel to each outlet in how house wiring works.

The checklist

Saved only in this browser on this device. This checklist is lost if browser data is cleared, and another browser or device does not have it. Download backup saves a JSON copy; Restore from backup opens a copy as a new, unsaved checklist and keeps the one it replaces.

Job details

Job nameAddressInspector or technicianDateBusiness name (optional)

0 of 42 checked · 0 pass · 0 fail · 0 N/A

Service and grounding 0/8

Item 1Service equipment rating matches the service conductors and the load calculation on file
Item 2Service disconnect readily accessible and its location identified
Item 3Working space in front of the service equipment clear and unobstructed
Item 4Grounding electrode system installed; grounding electrode conductor connections secure and accessible
Item 5Main bonding jumper installed at the service disconnect only
Item 6Metal water piping and other metal piping systems bonded
Item 7Intersystem bonding termination provided for communication systems
Item 8Service-entrance conductors supported and protected from damage

Panelboards 0/7

Item 1Panelboard rating and listing suit the supply voltage and the load served
Item 2Neutrals and equipment grounding conductors on separate bars in subpanels
Item 3One conductor per terminal unless the terminal is marked for more
Item 4Terminations tightened to the manufacturer's torque values
Item 5Breakers are a type listed for the panelboard and match the conductors they protect
Item 6Unused openings closed with listed filler plates
Item 7Conductor insulation intact; no nicked or overheated conductors

Rough-in 0/10

Item 1Boxes secured to framing and set for the finished wall surface
Item 2Box fill checked against the box volume, counting conductors, devices and clamps
Item 3Cables supported and secured along their runs at the spacing for the wiring method
Item 4Cables secured near each box, or connectors and clamps used at box entries
Item 5Nail plates installed where cables pass close to the edge of framing members
Item 6Bored holes and notches in framing kept within the structural limits
Item 7Receptacle and switch outlets located as shown on the plans
Item 8Equipment grounding conductors spliced in boxes and bonded to metal boxes
Item 9Conductor sizes match the breaker ratings on the plans
Item 10Dedicated circuits and smoke alarm locations roughed in

Final 0/10

Item 1Devices installed, secured and flush with their faceplates
Item 2Receptacle polarity and grounding verified with a tester
Item 3GFCI protection tested at each location where it is provided
Item 4AFCI protection provided and tested on the circuits that need it
Item 5Tamper-resistant receptacles installed where they are required
Item 6Faceplates and blank covers on every box; no open boxes
Item 7Luminaires supported; recessed fixtures rated for contact with insulation where installed in it
Item 8Panel directory complete, with every circuit labeled by its purpose
Item 9Panel cover installed with all screws; warning labels present
Item 10Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms installed and sounding when tested

Outdoor and special locations 0/7

Item 1Outdoor receptacles GFCI protected and fitted with in-use (bubble) covers
Item 2Boxes, fittings and devices in wet and damp locations listed for the location
Item 3Underground wiring buried at the depth for the wiring method used
Item 4Pool, spa and hot tub equipment bonded and GFCI protected
Item 5Air-conditioning disconnect within sight of the outdoor unit
Item 6EV charger circuit and disconnect installed to the manufacturer's instructions
Item 7Generator inlet or transfer equipment installed and labeled

Rough-in inspection vs final inspection

A rough-in inspection happens while the framing is still open. The inspector looks at what will be hidden: boxes and their fill, cable routing and support, protection of cables in framing, splices in boxes and the grounding of metal boxes. Once drywall is up these items can no longer be seen, so a failed rough-in item has to be corrected before the walls are closed.

A final inspection happens when the installation is complete and energized. It covers what the occupant will use: receptacles and switches, GFCI and AFCI protection, luminaires, covers, smoke alarms, the panel directory and the service equipment. Passing the final is commonly a condition for a certificate of occupancy or for the utility to connect permanent power.

Limitations

The starting items are general good practice, not a statement of what any code edition or jurisdiction requires. Inspection stages, required items and local amendments differ between authorities having jurisdiction, and the inspector's decision is the one that counts. The checklist is a preparation and record-keeping aid; it is not a substitute for the inspection or for the judgment of a licensed electrician. The template follows US (NEC) practice only.

Frequently asked questions

What does an electrical rough-in inspection check?

It covers the parts of the installation that will be concealed: box mounting and fill, cable support and securing, protection of cables near framing edges, splices and grounding in boxes, and the circuits run to each outlet. It takes place before insulation and wall coverings go on.

What is checked at an electrical final inspection?

The finished installation: devices and covers, receptacle polarity and grounding, GFCI and AFCI protection, luminaires, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, the service equipment and a complete panel directory with every circuit identified.

Does passing this checklist mean an installation complies with the NEC?

No. The checklist prompts common checks; it does not cover every requirement of the code or of local amendments, and only the authority having jurisdiction approves an installation.

Can items be changed to match a local inspector's list?

Yes. Any item can be reworded, removed or moved, and new items can be added to each section. The changes are saved in the browser with the results.

How are photos handled?

Each item has a photo note field for a text reference, such as a photo's file name or where it was taken. Photos themselves stay on the camera or phone; the checklist stores text only.