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    abkma's Avatar
    abkma Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jun 23, 2010, 08:40 PM
    Sparks from breaker box during an electric storm
    Hi all,

    Tonight we had severe electrical storms in our area. My family was taking cover in the basement. While down there we had a momentary shower of sparks from the service panel. None of the breakers popped. There was no load noise, etc so I am assuming that maybe it was a strong surge running through the lines. Everything in the house seems to be working fine. I've checked that none of the breakers are hot to the touch. I've also checked every switch and outlet in the house to see if it is hot to the touch as well as checking each outlet with my tester.

    Is there something more I should do. Could this have just been a quick surge due to a nearby lightning strike?
    Clough's Avatar
    Clough Posts: 26,677, Reputation: 1649
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    #2

    Jun 23, 2010, 11:30 PM
    Hi, abkma!

    I'll bet that if you call the Gas & Electric company about a possible safety issue, that they might be likely to send someone out to check things out without charging you.

    That's what I would be doing anyway...

    Thanks!
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
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    #3

    Jun 24, 2010, 01:36 PM
    Clough is correct, that someone qualified needs to inspect this panel thoroughly.

    The sparks could have been from the current of a lightning strike, that was flowing on the neutral, and found a loose connection, or blew apart a connection.

    Sparks come from melted metal.
    Clough's Avatar
    Clough Posts: 26,677, Reputation: 1649
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    #4

    Jun 24, 2010, 09:41 PM
    Hi, tkrussell!

    Sparks come from melted metal? I didn't know that!

    So, if there were sparks, as have been described, would that positively indicate that there was a problem that needs to be solved, please?

    Thanks!
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
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    #5

    Jun 26, 2010, 03:47 AM
    So, has this panel been checked out?
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
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    #6

    Jun 26, 2010, 05:02 AM

    Clough:

    For the most part sparks do come from molten metal in this case, BUT they could come from two pieces of carbon which is not metal. In a device called a spark gap or even a spark plug, the spark comes from ionization of the air. There is a small amount of material removed. A grinder can create sparks even though there is no electricity involved in the spark. Lightning is a big spark and no metal is involved.
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