Some surprise arc-flash in the house

[jjhoward]

Customer had the primary fall onto his residential feed.
The cover of this panel was blown off (it hit the door of the utility room). It also had a dime size hole in it.
A few power cords were melted to the receptacles.

We installed a new service and some new wires throughout.
He had just begun a major renovation (adding a 2nd story when this happened.)
Insurance gave him a helping hand with his 2nd story.





This cord is from his window A/C, it is melted to the receptacle.

I may have posted something about this some time ago, but I am flexing my picture posting skills. And I think these pics can give us all a warning!!

 

[chris kennedy]

Cool pictures, who doesn't love a catastrophic failure pic.

 

[wireguru]

ouch. That reminds me to install the surge suppressor on my main I have been avoiding. Neighbor has some tall trees im worried about.

Would a whole house surge supressor do anything for this situation?

 

[peter d]

The problem is they didn't install 7200 volt rated service equipment.

 

[G & G Electric]

ouch. That reminds me to install the surge suppressor on my main I have been avoiding. Neighbor has some tall trees im worried about.

Would a whole house surge supressor do anything for this situation?

Maybe it would detonate a split second before the panel. I don't think a residential surge supressor would be much of a match against primary voltage.

 

[G & G Electric]

The problem is they didn't install 7200 volt rated service equipment.

Yeah, what were they thinking when the built that place?

 

[celtic]

Cool pictures, who doesn't love a catastrophic failure pic.

:smile:

I do!


LOL

Good job on pix posting JJ.

 

[LarryFine]

Is it safe to presume the POCO will pay to rewire the house? That's what I'd be looking for.

 

[jjhoward]

Yea, they skimped on this installation.
This stuff was only rated for 600V.

Didn't stand a chance!

The electric dryer door also opened with some ommph.

 

[electricalperson]

i seen a video on youtube that shown a house sparking to next week when the primary hit the secondary

 

[G & G Electric]

i seen a video on youtube that shown a house sparking to next week when the primary hit the secondary

Could you post a link? We want to see!

 

[jjhoward]

Thats a good question Larry. As far as I know the home owner has only worked with his insurance company. Maybe they would file a claim against the POCO. Then I guess the POCO could file a claim against God, since the wind knocked the branch down that knocked the primary down that hit the feed that.....

BTW, my posting skills are improved thanks to Chris K.

 

[steelersman]

Wow! Great pics! I'ts amazing how much damage too much voltage can do. I've never heard of anything like this before.

 

[jjhoward]

I don't understand how that house didn't burn down!

I guess the high voltage was there for a very short time. The wire outside probably got vaporizied and fortunately cut the circuit.

 

[celtic]

Could you post a link? We want to see!

This may be it:

Moores Mill Road

 

[Karl H]

Are you absolutly sure this was'nt caused by someone not properly
taping wirenuts? I have to ask, It's the Trouble-Shooter in me.



BTW nice pics.

 

[jjhoward]

Ya know at first I thought maybe the neutral became loose!

 

[jeremysterling]

Nice pics. There is a technical term for the damaged gear. Once it has arc'ed over it can be referred to as "deranged." I use that term in my service write-ups. You know, "Troubleshoot 'no lights', discover main panel deranged, recommend...(fill in the blank)."

I picked up the term "deranged" from the Navy.

Speaking of deranged, that you-tube video is insane! Thanks for the link.

 

[electricalperson]

that actually happened a couple towns over last year too. we had a few service calls. luckily there wasnt that much damage but a few meter sockets and panels were toast

 

[electricalperson]

This may be it:

Moores Mill Road

that was the video too. i love it when that stuff happens. i think i have a thing for major electrical problems. i love it when stuff that i didnt install explodes because it means more money in my pocket. just as long as no one is hurt