Key takeaways:
- Georgia adopted the NEC 2023 code early in 2025. This creates stricter rules for AFCI breakers, hardwired smoke alarms, and exterior outlets.
- Old panels without arc-fault protection, missing GFCI outlets in wet areas, and DIY work without permits could cause your home to fail an electrical inspection.
- If you’re planning to renovate your home or sell it, you’ll need to pass an electrical inspection.
Georgia recently adopted the 2023 edition of the National Electrical Code, and many older homes are no longer up to code.
Could your home pass an electrical inspection?
It’s an issue if you plan on selling your home or want to do some renovations or upgrades. If you’re renting a home, you should also make sure all electrical systems are up to code.
Call a local electrician to schedule an electrical inspection in Lawrenceville, GA, and explore your options for updating your electrical infrastructure.
Common Reasons Georgia Homeowners Fail Electrical Inspections
Electricians often see the same issue when inspecting homes. It’s especially true in older homes throughout the metro Atlanta area.
Old electrical panels are one of the most common reasons for failing an electrical inspection. Many homes in Lawrenceville still have panels from the 1980s and 1990s, and these panels lack modern arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) protection. These older panels might work fine for daily use, but they represent a safety risk.
Missing GFCI outlets in kitchens and bathrooms are another common issue. The 2023 NEC requires GFCI protection within six feet of any water source, which means you need GFCI outlets in your kitchen, bathroom and outdoor areas. A single missing GFCI outlet is enough to fail your electrical inspection.
Inspectors also look for DIY electrical work. You can legally do some electrical work yourself as long as you get the right permits, but it’s rarely a good idea. Unless you have some training as an electrician, working on your panel and wiring is dangerous. It’s easy to make mistakes and install circuits that aren’t up to code, and inspectors won’t pass your home until you’ve had some rework done.
What Changes With the 2023 National Electrical Code?
The 2023 version of the National Electrical Code went into effect in January 2025 in Georgia. Your home now has to meet stricter electrical requirements, and your city or township will make sure new projects are up to this 2023 standard when issuing permits. These changes affect both new installations and upgrades to existing systems.
Here’s a quick summary of what’s new under the 2023 NEC:
- You need AFCI breakers on almost every circuit in your home. This is different from before, when you only needed them in bedrooms.
- Your electrician should install GFCI outlets in areas with water, including your kitchen, bathroom, and outdoor spaces.
- Your outdoor outlets should also have “in-use” weatherproof covers. These covers protect the outlet even when something is plugged in.
- Smoke alarms need a hardwired connection and battery backup. They also need a common connection so that, when one alarm sounds, they all sound.
- You’ll need to upgrade your electrical panel with a whole-home surge protection device. This simple addition protects your home from high-voltage spikes that can fry circuits and appliances in seconds.
Don’t let these changes catch you off guard. These new requirements make your home safer, but you might need to plan ahead and make more updates when planning for a renovation project.
What to Expect During an Electrical Inspection
Electrical inspections follow a clear process that includes visual and functional tests. The more you know about what the inspector will look for, the better you can prepare.
They’ll start with a visual inspection, usually with the electrical panel:
- They’ll check the breakers for proper sizing and labelling before making sure they trip correctly.
- Next, they’ll make sure your panel shows no signs of damage or corrosion.
- They’ll also check for a surge protection device at the panel level.
After checking your panel, they’ll likely move on to the outlets. This includes testing the outlets and paying attention to GFCI and AFCI requirements.
Some inspectors also use infrared scanners and other specialized tools to find electrical hot spots and signs of overheating behind walls. These scans can reveal loose connections, overloaded circuits, or other problems that create fire hazards.
The inspection process typically takes one to two hours, depending on the size of your home and the complexity of your electrical system.
Kalahari Electrical Services Can Help Your Home Pass an Electrical Inspection in Lawrenceville, GA
Smart homeowners get a professional pre-check before their official inspection. This approach catches problems early when they’re easier and less expensive to fix.
At Kalahari Electrical Services, we know exactly what inspectors look for and use our expertise to spot issues that might come up during an inspection. After reviewing your home’s electrical systems, we’ll discuss your options for bringing everything up to code.
We can also help if your home failed an inspection and needs some upgrades before you can pass.
Contact Kalahari Electrical Services at 678-665-2309 to schedule your pre-inspection consultation. We’ll make sure your electrical system meets all current Georgia requirements so you can focus on your renovation project or on selling your home.
FAQ
The top three failures are old panels, missing GFCI outlets in wet areas, and DIY electrical work without the right permit.
NEC 2023 requires AFCI breakers and GFCI protection on more circuits. It also mandates hardwired smoke alarms that connect together and “in-use” weatherproof covers on all exterior outlets.
Most electrical inspections take one to two hours, depending on the size of your home and the complexity of your electrical system.
Yes, a professional pre-inspection can find problems before they cause an official failure. This saves you time and money while preventing delays in your project timeline.
