[Know A Little]

We had a an emergency job over Memorial Day weekend and I wanted to post a few pictures for DIY'ers to see what can happen when things go wrong.

This was a main service 1200 amps at 208/120 VAC, the utility distribution remained on during hours of fire that we think originated in the CT Cabinet (utility metering) with a loose connection. That means the utility fuses never opened so the service burnt, the fire dept had to wait on the utility emergency crew to shut power off.

This was a concrete masonry structure, had it been a wood frame all that would have been left would be a pile of rubble.

The point is electricity is DANGEROUS and when things go wrong at the main service it can really go wrong.

 

[Know A Little]

Think about the few bucks you may be saving and you families safety

 

[Know A Little]

In that last photo that is 1/8" aluminum that melted.

 

[Jim Port]

Probably one of those poorly designed SD that I was just reading about. Looks like someone took out the 3 screws from the cover and shorted out to the main lugs.

 

[joecaption]

In a residential setting get everyone out first, call 911, if there's time shut all the doors and shut off the main breaker and get the heck out.
Anything else can be replaced.
Shutting the doors can slow down the spread of the fire.
Third thing our dispatcher does if there's a house fire is call the power company to kill the power at the pole.
Fire and rescue are #1 and 2.

 

[Jim Port]

Glad to hear others are aware of flow path control.

 

[dmxtothemax]

Do you ever get that black stuff off the walls
Or do you just have to paint over it
I believe carbon is very difficult to remove


P.S. how many G's to replace that lot
Many I would say