Lightning strike.. What do you look for

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electricmanscott

electricmanscott

Senior Member
Location
Boston, MA
I have a customer that had a lightning strike at their home. They lost some electronics but otherwise mostly everything is fine. There is a receptacle with some evidence of a fault, soot, slightly blackend.

My question is, what do you look at and how far do you go in a situation like this. This is not vey common in this area and thus my experience is limited.
 
exit point

exit point

Scott you mention the receptacle, the last couple of calls that I have had from lightning strikes, there was a damaged receptacle. I guess this is a so called exit point. As far as inspection goes, I usually at the least check out the panel. Appliances seem to always take the hit!
 
If I am looking for evidence that the lightning entered into the wiring of a house, the first place I go to is the washing machine. While there I will look at the dryer, especially if they have gas supplying the dryer.

Notice the discolorization of the spigots
LightningCortlandt4240632cropped.jpg




The dryer gas connection is damaged from lightning
LightningEvent540615.jpg




Typical damage at devices
LightningEvent540614.jpg




This would be evident to all
LightningCortlandt4240618.jpg




If that does not help, show them this ;)
lightning08.jpg
 
electricmanscott said:
I have a customer that had a lightning strike at their home. They lost some electronics but otherwise mostly everything is fine. There is a receptacle with some evidence of a fault, soot, slightly blackend.

My question is, what do you look at and how far do you go in a situation like this. This is not vey common in this area and thus my experience is limited.
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If you see there is damage to devices in the home, you should, IMHO, suggest to them to have a megger test of the home wiring performed.
One cannot see damage that may be caused, and the megger helps to determine if other damage may have occurred.
Most insurance companies will cover the testing, even if the homeowner has to become somewhat pushy with them.
 
brian john said:
WE ALWAYS MEGGER all branch circuits. and of course a COMPLETE VISUAL.
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I agree with the meggering, but there are instances where the insurance companies fight this like mad, or reduce the payment below what the contractor/tester is charging. Then the EC or testing company has to make a decision...hence my comment to suggesting a test. The inspector/building department can require it, a consultant cannot require it.
 
This may sound stupid but how do you megger test the wires? Never done this before. ANd what does the tester go for?
 
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