banner ad
Experts Logo

articles

Forensic Engineering Experts: Electrical Fires

By: Kristopher J. Seluga, PE

Tel: (203) 329-9909
Email: Technology Associates

View Profile on Experts.com.

Technology AssociatesElectric fires are becoming more common as appliances and electric feeds are used more and more in our daily lives. Like other fires, the root cause of an electric fire is the introduction of heat, oxygen, and fuel. In electrical fires, the heat is released as electricity is dissipated through a resistive element, while the fuel may come from the surroundings or from the material that makes up the appliance. When analyzing an electrical fire, it is important to find the origin of the fire as well as the safety precautions that could have prevented the fire. Some common causes of electrical fires and explosions include insufficient insulation and improper grounding.

Expertise

We have experience in many aspects of electrical fires and explosions including:

  • Measuring and testing appliances and their components to trace the cause and origin of fire
  • A reference library including electrical standards and codes
  • Measuring operating parameters and comparing these to pre-fire values

Questions Answered

Through scientific analysis, we can help you answer pertinent questions such as:

  • Where did the fire start and what was its cause?
  • Was the building wiring adequate?
  • What precautions could have been taken to prevent this explosion?
  • What damage was caused by the fire and what was caused by other events?

Case Examples

Circuit Breaker Explosion:

A man was exposed to 4000 amps when he accidentally dropped his screwdriver into a live industrial electrical panel. When this happened, several metal parts in the circuit box vaporized causing an explosion. Initially, he was thought to have suffered an electric shock. Our investigation revealed that his injuries had all been caused by secondary explosions. He was not hurt directly by the electricity in any way. This information was needed to show that the wiring installation was not sufficiently grounded.

Aquarium Fire:

A pet store sold a "complete" aquarium to a homeowner, including setup and periodic maintenance. There was a fire and we were hired to determine the cause of the fire. We discovered that the homeowner had used electrical cables specifically NOT rated for use in a damp environment, and that one of these cables caused the fire. This demonstrated that neither the aquarium installation nor the aquarium products were defective and the fire was a result of the Plaintiff's own improper actions.


Kristopher J. Seluga, PE, is a Mechanical Engineering, Accident Reconstruction, Biomechanics, and Safety Expert with over 20 years of experience. He received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the Mechanical Engineering department at MIT where he worked on the development of novel three-dimensional printing technologies. Mr. Seluga is also a licensed Professional Engineer in New York and Connecticut, and has served as a member of the ANSI engineering committee for the Z130.1 and Z135 standards for golf cars and PTV's. His research interests and peer reviewed publications span the topics of Motor Vehicle Dynamics, Product Safety, and Biomechanics.

©Copyright - All Rights Reserved

DO NOT REPRODUCE WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION BY AUTHOR.

Related articles

Aaron-Duncan-Collision-Reconstruction-Expert-Photo.jpg

7/17/2018· Accident Investigation & Reconstruction

Event Data Recorders and Collision Investigation

By: Al Duncan

Event Data Recorders (EDRs) were first introduced by General Motors (GM) in 1974. That data was only available to GM; however, since 1994 more and more vehicle EDR’s have recorded data that can be gathered. The data captured can be imaged and is being used by vehicle manufacturers, law enforcement officers, and collision reconstructionists to better understand what is happening in a collision. In accident investigation, EDRs have the potential to provide independent measurements of crash data that would elsewise be estimated by reconstruction methodology.

technology_associates_logo.gif

7/31/2009· Accident Investigation & Reconstruction

Forensic Engineering Experts: Fork Lifts & Skid Steers

By: Kristopher J. Seluga, PE

Forklifts, industrial trucks, skid steer loaders, bobcats and other similar material-handling machines are often difficult to maneuver and susceptible to a wide range of accidents. Their nature exposes operators and nearby co-workers to falling loads, crushing hazards and lading dock falls.

technology_associates_logo.gif

7/14/2009· Accident Investigation & Reconstruction

Lawnmower Accidents

By: Kristopher J. Seluga, PE

There are approximately 180,000 lawnmower accidents per year. In this introductory presentation, we undertake to describe the various ways in which these accidents occur.

;
Experts.com-No broker Movie Ad

Follow us

linkedin logo youtube logo rss feed logo
;