and weve got flames

[billdozier]

Hey guys just got to tell you about our fun day at the shop. We showed up at 7 and a burgaler alarm starts going off at 715. So were trying to figure out where its going off. shop flunkie says its next door so we go back to getting material for the day. I notice every time the alarm goes off a highbay goes out. hmm thats odd think nothing of it. next icemachine goes on the blitz. I start thinking voltage problem but say nothing five minutes later weve got a stripcord not smoking but on fire. Flames are literally rolling out of this thing. Unplug everything and head for subpanel Pms back there like oh its no big deal I say move and start turning breakers off pull the deadfront check voltage and ive got 150v on one side and 80 to other side. Go to mdp same voltage as panel so we know its poco dropping neutral shut everything down check other building voltage checks out. Im just thankful we were in the shop or we could have lost everything due to poco

 

[Buck Parrish]

So how did the strip catch on fire ?:-?

 

[wbalsam1]

Good luck if you try to get the Poco to pay for the damages. Lots of roaring and screaming and nashing of dentures before the reimbursement.

 

[billdozier]

buck I really dont know we had a bunch of phone chargers in the strip but no phones on the other side. The only thing I can figure guess is return on the neutral became way too hot and weve got flames dont fully understand it myself. We didnt lose anything maybe a power strip lady next door lost 2 tvs

 

[quogueelectric]

I love the smell of burning plastic in the morning.

 

[LarryFine]

I recommend calling a licensed electrician.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

I recommend calling a licensed electrician.

I second that.
Better yet, a qualified licensed and insured, bonded licensed contractor.

or, if you want to save some money, a DIYer.

 

[billdozier]

http://forums.mikeholt.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

http://forums.mikeholt.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

Im thinking the same thing 4 guys and we dont think to check the incoming power yikeshttp://forums.mikeholt.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

 

[LarryFine]

Im thinking the same thing 4 guys and we dont think to check the incoming power yikeshttp://forums.mikeholt.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

Bill seems to be having an 'image' problem. :grin:

 

[pfalcon]

So how did the strip catch on fire ?:-?

P=EI so if E- then I+

Power required by objects plugged in remains constant therefore if E drops then I increases.

P=(I^2)R

Heat generated increases with the square of the current therefore flames

 

[JAMAN]

P=EI so if E- then I+

Power required by objects plugged in remains constant therefore if E drops then I increases.

P=(I^2)R

Heat generated increases with the square of the current therefore flames

That is only true for motor loads.

 

[mxslick]

Was most likely a surge strip and the internal MOV's flamed out.

They did mention a wild neutral situation.