Some surprise arc-flash in the house

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jjhoward

Senior Member
Location
Northern NJ
Occupation
Owner TJ Electric
Customer had the primary fall onto his residential feed.
The cover of this panel was blown off (it hit the door of the utility room). It also had a dime size hole in it.
A few power cords were melted to the receptacles.

We installed a new service and some new wires throughout.
He had just begun a major renovation (adding a 2nd story when this happened.)
Insurance gave him a helping hand with his 2nd story.





This cord is from his window A/C, it is melted to the receptacle.

I may have posted something about this some time ago, but I am flexing my picture posting skills. And I think these pics can give us all a warning!!
 

wireguru

Senior Member
ouch. That reminds me to install the surge suppressor on my main I have been avoiding. Neighbor has some tall trees im worried about.

Would a whole house surge supressor do anything for this situation?
 
ouch. That reminds me to install the surge suppressor on my main I have been avoiding. Neighbor has some tall trees im worried about.

Would a whole house surge supressor do anything for this situation?

Maybe it would detonate a split second before the panel. I don't think a residential surge supressor would be much of a match against primary voltage.
 

LarryFine

Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
Location
Henrico County, VA
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
Is it safe to presume the POCO will pay to rewire the house? :confused: That's what I'd be looking for.
 

jjhoward

Senior Member
Location
Northern NJ
Occupation
Owner TJ Electric
Yea, they skimped on this installation.
This stuff was only rated for 600V.

Didn't stand a chance!

The electric dryer door also opened with some ommph.
 

jjhoward

Senior Member
Location
Northern NJ
Occupation
Owner TJ Electric
Thats a good question Larry. As far as I know the home owner has only worked with his insurance company. Maybe they would file a claim against the POCO. Then I guess the POCO could file a claim against God, since the wind knocked the branch down that knocked the primary down that hit the feed that.....

BTW, my posting skills are improved thanks to Chris K. :)
 

jjhoward

Senior Member
Location
Northern NJ
Occupation
Owner TJ Electric
I don't understand how that house didn't burn down!

I guess the high voltage was there for a very short time. The wire outside probably got vaporizied and fortunately cut the circuit.
 

Karl H

Senior Member
Location
San Diego,CA
Are you absolutly sure this was'nt caused by someone not properly
taping wirenuts? I have to ask, It's the Trouble-Shooter in me.:D



BTW nice pics.
 

jeremysterling

Senior Member
Location
Austin, TX
Nice pics. There is a technical term for the damaged gear. Once it has arc'ed over it can be referred to as "deranged." I use that term in my service write-ups. You know, "Troubleshoot 'no lights', discover main panel deranged, recommend...(fill in the blank)."

I picked up the term "deranged" from the Navy.

Speaking of deranged, that you-tube video is insane! Thanks for the link.
 
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