HomeKnowledgeRough Electrical Inspection — What Inspectors Actually Check
🔍 InspectioninspectionsElectrical Inspection

Rough Electrical Inspection — What Inspectors Actually Check

Updated Mar 25, 2026
Inspector verifies: wire sizing per circuit, GFCI/AFCI locations, box fill calculations, grounding/bonding, nail plates, smoke detector wiring. Must pass before insulation. Common fails: missing GFCI, wrong wire gauge.

The rough electrical inspection occurs after all wiring is installed in the walls but before insulation and drywall. What inspectors check: (1) Correct wire gauge for circuit amperage — 14 AWG for 15A, 12 AWG for 20A, 10 AWG for 30A, (2) GFCI protection at all required locations per NEC 210.8 — bathrooms, kitchen counters, garage, outdoor, laundry, (3) AFCI protection per NEC 210.12 — all habitable rooms in dwellings, (4) Box fill calculations — not exceeding NEC 314.16 limits, (5) Grounding and bonding — continuous equipment grounding conductor, bonding at panel, water pipe bonding, (6) Nail plates where cables pass within 1.25 inches of stud edge per NEC 300.4, (7) Smoke and CO detector wiring — interconnected, on dedicated circuit, (8) Dedicated circuits: 2x 20A kitchen, 1x 20A bathroom, 1x 20A laundry, 1x 20A garage, (9) Panel labeling — every circuit identified, (10) Proper cable support — stapled within 12 inches of box and every 4.5 feet. Common fail reasons: missing GFCI (especially garage and outdoor), wrong wire gauge on kitchen/bathroom circuits, nail plates missing, insufficient box fill. Average inspection time: 30-60 minutes for residential.

TAGS
inspectionelectricalrough-ingfciafcinecgroundinghold-point
DETAILS
inspection type
rough_electrical
reinspection fee
$100-$150
common fail reasons
["Missing GFCI protection","Wrong wire gauge","Missing nail plates","Box overfill"]
code sections checked
["NEC 210.8","NEC 210.12","NEC 314.16","NEC 300.4","NEC 250"]
what inspectors look for
["Wire sizing","GFCI locations","AFCI locations","Box fill","Grounding/bonding","Nail plates","Smoke/CO wiring","Dedicated circuits","Panel labeling"]
RELATED KNOWLEDGE
🔍 Inspection
Framing Inspection Protocol — What Inspectors Actually Check
Inspector verifies: correct lumber grades, nailing schedule per plans, holdown/strap installation, fire blocking, shear wall nailing, header sizes, bearing points, bracing. Most common fails: missing holdowns, wrong nailing.
🔍 Inspection
Foundation Inspection
Pre-pour inspection verifying footing dimensions, rebar placement, form alignment, soil bearing, and drainage.
🔍 Inspection
Final Inspection / Certificate of Occupancy
Final inspection before building occupancy. All systems operational, life-safety features verified.
🔍 Inspection
Underground/Slab Plumbing Inspection
Pre-slab inspection of below-grade plumbing: building drain, waste, vent stubs, cleanouts, test.
🔍 Inspection
MEP Rough-In Inspection
Multi-trade inspection after rough plumbing, electrical, and HVAC but before insulation/drywall.
🔍 Inspection
Concrete Pre-Pour Inspection
Inspection before concrete: formwork, rebar, embedded items, site conditions.
← Back to Knowledge Garden