I was taught, as a youngster coming into the trade, that it was important to maintain a good relationship with the local inspection authority. It was an important work habit right up there with taking care of your tools and taking pride in your work, and it served me well in my years as an electrician and electrical contractor. It continues to serve me well in my position as an AHJ. I've said this more times than I can count, but I'll continue to repeat it: There needn't be an adversarial relationship between electricians and electrical inspectors. We are all concerned with the same thing. The safety of electrical installations. We're the most professional of all trades and if we want to maintain that level of professionalism a good, strong, working relationship between inspectors and electricians is an absolute necessity.
How does the inspector with experience help the person who just got an electrical contractor's license?
Does he tell him what is wrong, and how the Code requires the work to be done?
or
Does he say: "I was asked to make an inspection, I am not your teacher?"
This is a prime example of that relationship. I was fortunate as I worked my way up through the trade to deal with many good inspectors who were more than willing to discuss code issues rather than just cite an infraction. As an AHJ, I make every effort to do the same thing. An inspector is also a resource for the contractors to use whether it's a question about a proposed installation or how to comply with the code after a correction notice has been issued.
Experience in the field is as essential for inspectors (if not more essential) as it is for electricians. I have certifications from NCPCCI in Electrical General, One and Two Family, and Plan Review. The certifications are helpful and important, but they don't replace the experience that time in the trade with the tools on gives a person.
