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#1
12-10-2007, 07:15 PM
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What Happened?
Not sure which thread to start this, so I chose this one as most appropriate.
Model homes in a Tract, garage converted to a sales office. Home ran off generator for approximately 2-3 months. I do not know what type/amperage/condition of generator was used. They had power from the POCO installed approximately 8 months ago. Tract sold out, now converting the sales office back into a garage. Took the panel cover off the house, and all of the bare ground wires, including the # 4 going to the ufffer, were blackened. You could rub it off, but not easily. It was also on the bare portions of the neutral conductors and the bare portions of the ungrounded conductors, more noticeable on the larger conductors (# 8 ungrounded conductors to the range breaker very noticeable). The conductors were screwed tight on the terminals. I know this is not much information, and I do not have Marc’s testers  , so I am stumped.I suspect a ground issue with the generator, but I cannot even find out about how/if it was grounded at the generator. I was not there when the generator was set or installed, and cannot located anyone who was. All circuits seem to function properly, wiring is just ghoulishly blackened. Any theories? |
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#2
12-10-2007, 09:41 PM
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If you strip back some insulation, is the copper there blackened? Sounds like a chemical problem to me. IIRC sulfides will blacken copper nicely, and sewers can emit nice qualtities of hydrogen sulfide. Maybe bad ventilation or something in the walls. I don't think I'd like to live there...
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#5
12-10-2007, 10:13 PM
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Is there any evidence of a short-circuit to the tub or cover?
__________________
The evening news is where the anchor starts off with "Good Evening" and then proceeds to tell you why it isn’t. |
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#6
12-11-2007, 10:47 AM
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Sounds like some sort of chemical reaction with the copper. Any electrical event that would create enough heat to blacken the copper conductors would also damage the insulation on the neutral conductors. Smoke contamination should also be visible on the white insulation which you did not mention. Stripping the wire back a little to see the condition of the conductors that were covered would be a good idea. DEA may be interested in what may have been occuring in this garage.
Be interesting to hear what you determine. Is the copper in the ungrounded conductors darkened also? |
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#7
12-11-2007, 11:07 AM
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Quote:
The panel is located outside, next to the meter (California). Stripping back the insulation, the conductor is fine - no discoloration. Smoke does not seem likely, since the insulation is not blackened on any of the conductors - just the exposed copper. Weird... |
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#8
12-11-2007, 11:10 AM
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Quote:
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#9
12-11-2007, 11:23 AM
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If there was no permanent provision to install a generator, it would seem that they most likely just took the panel cover off and left it off. Maybe it's due to the genny's exhaust.
If nothing else, you should CYA and contact the builder expressing your concerns with this and document the fact you may not provide a warranty for the job due to circumstances beyond your control.
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The evening news is where the anchor starts off with "Good Evening" and then proceeds to tell you why it isn’t. Last edited by 480sparky; 12-11-2007 at 11:29 AM. |
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