Results 1 to 13 of 13
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Knoxville, TN
    Posts
    2,560

    Default Scary moment this morning

    Weird stuff was going on in the house this morning, and when I was checking the ground wire in the crawlspace, it arced when I touched it.

    Similar Threads:
    ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images
    Member Benefits1

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Santa Rosa, CA
    Posts
    3,154

    Default Re: Scary moment this morning

    Quote Originally Posted by Jack Feldmann View Post
    Weird stuff was going on in the house this morning, and when I was checking the ground wire in the crawlspace, it arced when I touched it.
    Well, I'm not an expert Jack, (but I play one on TV). However, it seems like that might be a problem.

    Department of Redundancy Department
    Supreme Emperor of Hyperbole
    http://www.FullCircleInspect.com/

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Knoxville, TN
    Posts
    2,560

    Default Re: Scary moment this morning

    I was going to use that phrase that Rick Hurst saw the other day, something like, "Normal arcing that you would expect from an old house that had a crappy electrician..", but changed my mind.


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Snowbird (this means I'm retired and migrate between locations), FL/MI
    Posts
    4,086

    Default Re: Scary moment this morning

    Whoa ! That's a fine how-de-dooo-die !


  5. #5
    Ted Menelly's Avatar
    Ted Menelly Guest

    Default Re: Scary moment this morning

    Nothing like a nice stmulating drink of water. Probably an electrocution staion for water born microbes.


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    state of jefferson
    Posts
    522

    Default Re: Scary moment this morning

    redneck water heater?


  7. #7
    Fred Warner's Avatar
    Fred Warner Guest

    Default Re: Scary moment this morning

    Sounds like neutral return current. Not good.


  8. #8
    Jeff Remas's Avatar
    Jeff Remas Guest

    Default Re: Scary moment this morning

    Looks like someone probably lost a neutral.

    They should have alarm systems for lost neutrals that shuts down the systems. You probably have a ton of ohms in the return path to the POCO transformer.


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    2,797

    Default Re: Scary moment this morning

    "Electric water heater has exposed heating element and electrical connections, inoperative controls, incorrect overcurrent protection and lacks TPRV... "

    Michael Thomas
    Paragon Property Services Inc., Chicago IL
    http://paragoninspects.com

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    South-West Michigan
    Posts
    469

    Post Re: Scary moment this morning

    It would have been interesting to put an amp meter on that, and see what kind of current was moving. This is the stuff that home inspectors find that can save a life. Good catch!

    I usually write this up as "current on ground" and note the amps, along with a reference for a licensed electrician. Some electricians have no clue how to address these problems. I have found an electrical engineer in Florida that specializes in this, and have referred his services to electricians who don't know where to begin.




    Randall Aldering GHI BAOM MSM
    Housesmithe Inspection
    www.housesmithe.com

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: Scary moment this morning

    Jack,

    Excellent catch.

    Did you by any chance put your clip on ammeter on it as Randy suggested? Would be curious to know how much it was.

    As others have said, those are the things which can kill people and make your day.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Knoxville, TN
    Posts
    2,560

    Default Re: Scary moment this morning

    I had let my neighbor use my meter, so I didn't have it with me. THE ONE TIME I REALLY NEEDED IT!


  13. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Southern Vancouver Island
    Posts
    4,607

    Default Re: Scary moment this morning

    Quote Originally Posted by Jack Feldmann View Post
    Weird stuff was going on in the house this morning, and when I was checking the ground wire in the crawlspace, it arced when I touched it.
    Jack, you went and touched it, now the clamp is loose and the wiring's all haywire.


Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •