ashtrak said:
Sideing guys shorted out hot and ground on a sconce light wire that I had hanging.Breaker did not trip. The damage that was done I have never seen in my many years as an electrician.I traced the ckt all the way to panel (opening every box and fixture on the ckt). The ground had burned through the sheath at many locations that were visible. The black had melted to most every plastic box.Insulation was burned off entire length of wire in panel, from connector to breaker. Were switches were off switch leg was not affected. Ground was terminated on neautral buss with neautral, same screw.No cold water ground in house, just footer ground to buss.Didn't notice any loose splices at any junction points. Bad breaker??? Any Thoughts??
Thanks
Speaking of siding installers, here's a simular story that happened two weeks ago with us....Go a call from a GC to re-install a meter loop after the siding crew had pulled it away from the wall to install cedar siding behind it. Knowing that I do all of this guys electrical work, I ask why didnt you call me first? and he replied "it only had four small screws holding it"
When we got there after a 20 mile drive, I noticed that the loop had two 12ft risers 1 line, and 1 load, and one load pipe going inside where some exspensive street rods where stored, and neither riser had any riser straps, further more, there was no ground rod......geez
So I cut the meter seal to attempt to pull the meter while this thing was flopping around and, when I did the entrance conductors shorted to a LB going through the wall. The cedar siding is now on fire.....
So finally after clearing out one dead black bird and a huge nest, with my hot gloves and a screwdriver, I finally get the meter out, while the fireworks are doing the damage.
Blew one phase conductor completely in two...quite impressive...never blew the power companies fuse, because of improper grounding and bonding.
So,... no riser straps, 6 switch rule was not followed, no ground rod, no bonding, 2in ko open in side of meter can, and one, not very smart siding contractor