Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    pimpcaner's Avatar
    pimpcaner Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Oct 23, 2009, 01:20 PM
    Ground is sparking
    I recently bought a house and I am going around and making a list of renovations and things that need to be done. I was in my basement moving stuff around and I hit the grounding wire from my panel box where it connects to the water meter and it sparked on me. I took a closer look and it looks like the contact is loose and dirty but not sure if this could cause that. I was going to turn off power and fiddle with it but just wanted some reassurance and other possibilities. I am fluent in home repair but decided I should get help for this one. Any help is help I want. Thanks in advance!

    Ali
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #2

    Oct 23, 2009, 01:34 PM
    This IS a potentially dangerous situation, so BE CAREFUL.

    Turn off your main breaker. Get a pair of heavy leather gloves. See if the wire is still sparking. If so call your power company RIGHT AWAY.
    If it is not I would call an electrician to check out the system. This is not really something that can be troubleshooted (is this a word?) via remote control.

    There is likely a problem with the power company's transformer or the system neutral.
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
    Uber Member
    		  
    #3

    Oct 23, 2009, 01:47 PM
    Stan is dead on, so to speak.

    Troubleshooted? Those New Yorkers talk funny.
    pimpcaner's Avatar
    pimpcaner Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #4

    Oct 23, 2009, 01:51 PM
    Well, I took your advice, kind of, and there were no sparks when power was off and it was being touched. I decided to give it a shot. Sure enough, the contact was super super loose. I could slide it up and down and even slide the ground right out. I cleaned up the contact and the contacts spot and reconnected everything and now I have no more sparks and it seems fine!! One thing I noticed that I'm not sure if it would matter but my ground was touched the copper piping about 3 times before the bottom... Does this create some form of current or anything?
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
    Uber Member
    		  
    #5

    Oct 23, 2009, 01:58 PM
    Stan said:

    Quote Originally Posted by stanfortyman View Post
    If it is not I would call an electrician to check out the system. This is not really something that can be troubleshooted (is this a word?) via remote control.
    With the Main Off, the sparks are coming from a fault in your system, and needs to be found and repaired
    pimpcaner's Avatar
    pimpcaner Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #6

    Oct 23, 2009, 02:10 PM
    I openned a random outlet box and checked inside. The grounding wire is only connected to the outlet and not the metal box. This might be throughout the house. Could this be a problem. And what else could possibly be doing this?
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
    Uber Member
    		  
    #7

    Oct 23, 2009, 02:16 PM

    I would avoid unintentional contact at the 3 spots. (Felt?)
    If Ground was sparking, you may have had a short to ground on 1 or more circuits.
    An electrician may place a meter or bulb between the spot you are getting sparks. Turn off circuits 1 by 1 to determine the shorted circuit(s).
    Therough understanding of the Neutral and Ground will insure safety.
    pimpcaner's Avatar
    pimpcaner Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #8

    Oct 23, 2009, 02:20 PM
    Perfect... Thanks a lot everyone but I ended up finding out what it was! One of the wiring was acually bare and sitting in my basement unconnected and free. The three wires were not only touching each other but also touching some of my ducting. I flipped off that breaker and flipped it back on and sure enough, it sparked inside and also tripped my breaker. I believe this is my problem as I recall turning off this particular breaker earlier and not having sparks at my ground. Thanks a lot for your help and responses. I'll be sure to use this site again and recommend it!
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
    Uber Member
    		  
    #9

    Oct 23, 2009, 02:23 PM

    I think you got it. Good deal.
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #10

    Oct 24, 2009, 09:03 AM
    Very good. A problem with your service or the power company's equipment may have been a more drawn out fix.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Spark plug is not sparking [ 3 Answers ]

Hello, I have a Featherlite Weedeater that will not start. I bought a new spark plug for it, and put it in, however it seems that it is not getting any spark at all. Is it a lost cause? Thank you, Bruce

Dyson sparking [ 1 Answers ]

Hi my dyson is sparking from the motor and it smells, I have tried new brushes but it still sparking.

Occasional sparking inside microwave [ 2 Answers ]

Hi Sir, First of all I am very grateful for all the timely help have always received from you. Now I am having problem with my microwave. Sometimes, when I try to heat some vegetable(cooked) or lentils(cooked) it sparks and makes some roaring noise. After sometime, like after a few hours or...

Wall plug sparking [ 2 Answers ]

Sometimes when I pull out a plug (kitchen appliance) from an electrical socket, a blue spark or flash happens. What does this mean and what should I do?

Motor is sparking on table saw [ 1 Answers ]

I have Dewalt DW744 type 2 table saw. While using it last week I noticed a sharp decrease in power follow by sparks from the motor. I replaced the brushes hoping that would solve the problem but it did not, any suggestions?

View more questions Search