Disturbing Issue I am seeing where Service Entrance Wire for Electrical services is Deteriorating Quicker than it should

 As a Forensic Electrical Inspector I have been seeing a very disturbing Issue where Service Entrance Cable is deteriorating quicker than it should be

As you can see in the above the Plastic wiring jacket has completely split and is allowing water to drip into the electrical service .

I am seeing it more and more often on services with less than 20 to 30 years  use. This wiring should easily last 50 years like older service wires have . But instead the jackets are splitting and flaking off 

Home Owners in mean time have no clue there is a problem  their service is deteriating until the lights start blinking and they call  Power Company whose troubleshooters often have to turn power off to the home till situation is corrected .

left uncorrected the breakers will rust and no longer trip and a fire will result 

Here you can see a double hazard a dangerous Federal Pacific Panel which has been Recalled  loaded up with rust from water

I am in the process of collecting data to see which wire manufactuer is having this issue and will be contacting the CPSC on this issue. 

In the mean time might want to have an elctrician check out your service.

A Dangerous Trick Truck Drivers use on Neville Island to get into Calgon Carbon which could Pin a driver in his car

 The old Dravo Corporation Buildings on Neville Island along Grand Ave  are now occupied by Calgon Carbon which is a good thing. However an extremely dangerous entrance to the plant  when approaching from East where truck drivers swing left like they are making a left turn or pulling off the road  and then quickly swinging a hard right into the tight plant entrance has resulted in more than a few drivers including myself following these trucks to have to slam on our brakes  or be pinned and crushed by the truck driver who is violating driving rules doing this button hook maneuver

 .As you can see its tight and posts have been hit by numerous trucks.

this entrance needs closed and redone before someone gets seriously hurt and why the hell did Neville Twp. ever allow it in the first place .

Of course officials are clueless as usual to the problem and have ignored this entrance for too long.

The Dark Side of GFCI- Ground Fault Circuit Interupters No one wants to talk about . They are a Fire Hazard when a Serious Power Surge hits a residence

 GFCI outlets have been around since the late 70's and have been ever increasing in use because they help protect individuals from Electric shock. But they have a down side no one wants to talk about .

When an extreme power surge caused by Lightning or downed power lines hits a home the GFCI outlets can burn and explode .

I do work for an Insurance Provider as a Forensic Electrical Inspector   and go to many power surges 

to evaluate damage to Electrical Services , Appliances and home Electronics  and I am seeing more and more  dangerous GFCI blow outs which almost caused a home fire

Take a good look at this GFCI which was on a kitchen counter 

behind a toaster oven which had a Dish Towel sitting on top when the surge hit the outlet it blew out flame and Singed  the Dish Towel .

The home owner is very lucky they did not loose their home.

Now even just plain duplex outlets can blow out during a surge but not as violent as when GFCI and AFCI Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters  or combo GFCI /AFCI Outlets blow out .

Now GFCI and AFCI do have some built in surge protection it is not enough .

I have advocated for years that whole house surge and lightning arrestor's be installed because they can either eliminate a surge or greatly reduce the damage done by a serious surge .

They are now required on all new Electric services but like all products they will only work when properly  installed and service is properly grounded and maintained .

Once again where is the worthless  UL and NFPA when there is a serious issue that needs discussed ?

Just like every time they come up with a new code they never look at the possible downside to it..

The above GFCI the home had a G&E Whole House protector and still you can see damage when suppressor failed