Humber/Ontario Real Estate Course 4 Exam Practice

What action should an owner take to accommodate increased electrical service for new appliances and home renovations, assuming the service line from the street is inadequate?

1. Increase electrical service size

2. Increase size of the distribution panel

3. Increase size of the electrical main disconnect

4. Increase voltage to the house

5. Install additional power outlets

6. Upgrade the electrical circuits

The correct answer is: Increase electrical service size

To accommodate increased electrical service for new appliances and home renovations when the service line from the street is deemed inadequate, the owner should take the action to increase the electrical service size. This means evaluating and potentially upgrading the entire incoming service line that brings electricity from the utility provider to the home. Increasing the service size ensures that the property can effectively handle the additional load from new appliances and renovations. The size of the service line is crucial because it determines the maximum amount of electricity that can safely be delivered to the home. If the line is insufficient, it may cause frequent circuit overloads, lead to tripped breakers, and create safety hazards such as electrical fires. The other options involve modifications that are important in certain contexts but do not address the core issue of the service line's capacity. For instance, while increasing the size of the distribution panel or upgrading circuits can provide additional capacity within the home, it ultimately does not resolve the limitation imposed by the inadequate service line from the street. Adjusting the main disconnect or the voltage also wouldn't affect the amount of electricity supplied by the service line. Installing additional power outlets is similarly insufficient without first ensuring that the overall service supply can support increased demand. Thus, increasing the electrical service size is the foundational step needed