Only the structural engineer who specified the beam size would be able to verify whether it is acceptable for the span of the beam and the location of the support columns and load. Its not rocket science to figure out, but its not a decision the electrician should make.

Bruce

Ack. Not only did they notch the beam, they also notched the post. While it would probably take an engineer to tell for sure (I'm an engineer but not that kind) but it looks bad. On the positive side, they did the cut over what appears to be a pair of support posts.

It's a pretty sloppy notch as well, they cut further into the beam with the saw than they ended up hogging out for the notch.

Generally, you're not allowed to cut the beams other than the center third of the meat.

Are those 2x4s on either side of the notch supporting the beam?

To verify this you need an engineer to make a call.

As the general rule in regard to notching and drilling, you have guidelines.

That's pretty much what I said, GN. The middle third of the "meat" is the only allowable place for holes.

MTV: Seeing how they are a bunch sistered together, the notched ones on the left appear to be a structural support for the beam. The one on the right may just be regular framing (hard to tell). There's also a bolt protroduing to the left of the posts and I'm thinking this is a tie plate from the post to the beam.

By the way, the Simpson 16g tie plates are not designed to "fix" this issue of the beam being notched like that.