Jon Randolph
06-19-2007, 05:30 AM
Yesterdays inspection - Home built in 1940's, main panel had a ground to the exterior grounding rod and an attachment to the copper water pipes. Both ground wires were insulated (white insulation) stranded copper and both had melted insulation inside and outside of the panel. Exposed copper strand at the water pipe was dingy black. Home had mostly new romex wiring, but there was some BX (tinned copper) that terminated and was wire nutted to new wires inside the panel. Panel itself was not new and no scorching/burn marks were seen inside the panel. There was no access available to the attic area. I recommended that an electrician evaluate the entire panel and try to determine reason for overheated grounds and correct the circuits with the wire nuts inside the panel as well as other electrical problems inside the home. Home also had an opening at the top of the meter and insufficient drip loop with rust/water streaks inside the panel.
My question is this - Could this have been a lightening stike???? Incoming neutral connection poor either at the home or at the pole???? Short due to the water in the panel???? Any other possibilities????
Sorry, pics didn't show enough detail so I tried to paint a mental picture.
My question is this - Could this have been a lightening stike???? Incoming neutral connection poor either at the home or at the pole???? Short due to the water in the panel???? Any other possibilities????
Sorry, pics didn't show enough detail so I tried to paint a mental picture.