FHA electrical guidelines.

[mark hurlock]

Get a life Mark.

Taking time out from my life to help you demonstrate your incompetence in this particular circumstance would be more accurate.

Or, you could just provide adequate support for your misguided advice.

 

[CANative]

FHA is easy. Follow the MPRs which have been around for decades and you'll be fine. But people come on the forum with questions and it's obvious they have not read the requirements.

If the electrical service appears to be inadequate to meet the needs of the home then condition the appraisal on an inspection. What could be simpler?

My off the cuff comments about glass fuses was not a technical answer. I just couldn't think of a perfect example at the time. Why would you make something of this?

 

[mark hurlock]

FHA is easy. Follow the MPRs which have been around for decades and you'll be fine. But people come on the forum with questions and it's obvious they have not read the requirements.

If the electrical service appears to be inadequate to meet the needs of the home then condition the appraisal on an inspection. What could be simpler?

My off the cuff comments about glass fuses was not a technical answer. I just couldn't think of a perfect example at the time. Why would you make something of this?

Can,

it is what it is, not what I make of it. You made a statement I questioned it. I am unaware of any guidance from FHA on what is or is not adequate only that you should make a determination and address it. So it is understandable that you would prefer not to be questioned.

So, I'm asking what you do to make your determination because you are the FHA expert.

Can you tell me how you determine adequate amperage of an electrical service to a residential dwelling unit?

 

[CANative]

• Operate a representative number of lighting fixtures, switches and receptacles inside the house,
garage and on the exterior walls and note any deficiencies. If the appliances present at the time
of the inspection do not appear to be reasonable (undersized), determine if there is adequate
amperage to run “standard” appliances, as per local code.

Since the requirement is based on "appear" then I use my best judgment.

 

[mark hurlock]

Since the requirement is based on "appear" then I use my best judgment.

And the basis of your judgment would be?

What establishes what “appears” to be less than adequate?

 

[CANative]

If something doesn't "appear" to meet the MPRs then I would condition the appraisal on inspection of whatever it is that "appears" to be a problem.

http://portal.HUD.gov/hudportal/HUD...administration/hudclips/handbooks/hsgh/4905.1

Appraisers are not technicians. This isn't a technical issues. There is no technical answer.

But if you want to keep pursuing this, I'm off work today so bring it on.

 

[mark hurlock]

If something doesn't "appear" to meet the MPRs then I would condition the appraisal on inspection of whatever it is that "appears" to be a problem.

http://portal.HUD.gov/hudportal/HUD...administration/hudclips/handbooks/hsgh/4905.1

Appraisers are not technicians. This isn't a technical issues. There is no technical answer.

But if you want to keep pursuing this, I'm off work today so bring it on.

The only thing I am pushing for is an answer to a question. What reasonable basis do you use to make a determination?

I think it is a simple question. If you think fuses or an arbitrary amperage that you have completely made up from nothing is adequate for your reports then I won't question you any further.

It is not my intention to occupy your day off. I just wanted to clarify your expertise behind your advice.

Thanks.

 

[hastalavista]

The only thing I am pushing for is an answer to a question. What reasonable basis do you use to make a determination?

Mark:

If the benchmark is "appearance of adequacy", and the judge is the appraiser (applies his/her judgment to determine if the electrical utility is adequate or not), what reasonable basis do you suggest?

I would think there are a number of criteria that can be applied, all of which are reasonable, and certainly one could be the size of the house vs. the rating of the service.

There is not a "one size fits all" answer.
There is probably a "many sizes fits all" approach to use.

But I'd like to hear what basis you'd use to see if it is one I'd adopt.

 

[CANative]

I suppose it would depend on the house, the type of service, the number of circuits, the number and type of appliances currently in the home compared to "standard" appliances, etc., etc.

Each property is different.

 

[mark hurlock]

Mark:

But I'd like to hear what basis you'd use to see if it is one I'd adopt.

Denis,

There is no basis that I would offer as professional advice to another appraiser. I can tell you that adequate sizing of electrical service equipment is determined by a calculation promulgated by the NEC. I don't recommend appraisers apply it without proper guidance.

I do not recommend that appraisers become electrical engineers for the purpose of valuation. If a particular assignment required the appraiser to eliminate any assumption of adequacy, I would recommend an inspection by a qualified professional.