I am a home inspector and I had a weird inspection today. It was a mid 1950 home with multiple homeowner un permitted additions. There is an older Culter Hammer panel on the home with an overhead service. The ground rod is missing; the grounds and neutrals are separated from the panel. The galvanized water lines are bonded, the gas line is not bonded.
When I first entered the home the realtor indicated the power was on. However the power was off so I turned on the main breaker. I went inside to check the lights and found that lights were still off and the power was apparently off at the meter.
On a whim I used my sniffer to check to see if the light bulbs were burned out and discovered the metal canopy on the light fixture was energized. I checked further and found that all the ceiling mounted light fixtures caused my sniffer to light up. Not the bulb socket mind you, but the metal components on the fixture. Upon checking the 2 prong outlets with my sniffer about half would show power. I had an extra 3 prong tester with me so I broke off the ground leg to test the 2 prong outlet and found no power at the outlets.
The appliances, heater, cooler and everything else were inoperative.
There is no wiring in the crawlspace and there is no access to the attic for inspection. I suspect at least some knob and tube is present but the system has been upgraded sometime in the past.
The entire home has been covered with aluminum siding that extends down to about 2 inches into the soil. I am worried that if the bonding is not proper then the siding could become energized or something?like phantom current from the soil turning the home into a giant microwave oven or something.
By the end of the day the utility company was saying it is impossible to show power in a home with the power off, that I must have faulty equipment. The electrician is saying he cannot find anything wrong (after the power was turned on at the meter). But I know my sniffer was going nuts. I am pretty sure I can tell when the little yellow light is flashing. What voltage does it take to set off a sniffer? How much current does it take to light up a 3 prong tester?
I am worried there may be a phantom current or some type of deterioration on the utility pole with an open neutral. I know something is wrong but it is way outside the scope of my training to go any farther. I am worried there may be a significant safety issue that may go undiscovered if I can?t provide a good explanation.
What is going on??
When I first entered the home the realtor indicated the power was on. However the power was off so I turned on the main breaker. I went inside to check the lights and found that lights were still off and the power was apparently off at the meter.
On a whim I used my sniffer to check to see if the light bulbs were burned out and discovered the metal canopy on the light fixture was energized. I checked further and found that all the ceiling mounted light fixtures caused my sniffer to light up. Not the bulb socket mind you, but the metal components on the fixture. Upon checking the 2 prong outlets with my sniffer about half would show power. I had an extra 3 prong tester with me so I broke off the ground leg to test the 2 prong outlet and found no power at the outlets.
The appliances, heater, cooler and everything else were inoperative.
There is no wiring in the crawlspace and there is no access to the attic for inspection. I suspect at least some knob and tube is present but the system has been upgraded sometime in the past.
The entire home has been covered with aluminum siding that extends down to about 2 inches into the soil. I am worried that if the bonding is not proper then the siding could become energized or something?like phantom current from the soil turning the home into a giant microwave oven or something.
By the end of the day the utility company was saying it is impossible to show power in a home with the power off, that I must have faulty equipment. The electrician is saying he cannot find anything wrong (after the power was turned on at the meter). But I know my sniffer was going nuts. I am pretty sure I can tell when the little yellow light is flashing. What voltage does it take to set off a sniffer? How much current does it take to light up a 3 prong tester?
I am worried there may be a phantom current or some type of deterioration on the utility pole with an open neutral. I know something is wrong but it is way outside the scope of my training to go any farther. I am worried there may be a significant safety issue that may go undiscovered if I can?t provide a good explanation.
What is going on??