Rob successfully completed the Residential Electricity for Fire Investigators seminar at Fire Findings Laboratories in Benton Harbor Michigan on April 113, and 14, 2011. The hands-on and lecture based program covered topics including power distribution systems, service equipment (drops and laterals), load centers, overcurrent protection devices, and hands-on wiring activities of typical residential electrical devices. Additional subject matter covered electrical shorts, arc mapping, floating neutral conditions, 120-volt and 240-volt devices, receptacles, switches, instrument measurements, industry accepted calculations, circuit tracing, electrical code requirements, and tools available to the investigator. Hands-on examination of post-fire artifacts representing failures caused by arcing, high resistance connections, overcurrent, arc tracking, improper installation, high voltage, and device misuse provided insight into potential evidence and distinguishable post fire indicators of each. Case studies representing recent investigative activities demonstrated insight into how the evidence can fit together to complete a successful origin and cause investigation.
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