Voltage Spike Failure of Building Wire Insulation as Fire Cause

Abstract

The role of the forensic engineer is to interpret technical information within his/her area of expertise and present interpretations and conclusions to the client, to opposing counsel, and, if necessary, to the court. The ultimate goal is discovery of the true cause of the event which prompted the litigation. This paper presents an analysis of one mode of failure of building wire insulation found in residential, commercial and industrial electrical systems. Also presented are sources of documentation related to this failure mechanism.