scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Electric Shock From Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)

2003 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard D. Brugger
Keyword(s):  
Electric Shock ◽  
Electrical Current ◽  
Electrical Circuit ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Ground Fault ◽  
Ground Current ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Current Value ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Electrical Wiring

Many Electrical Wiring Systems Include Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (Gfci) As Protective Elements. The Application Is For Avoidance Of Electric Shock Injuries To A Person In The Event That Their Body Becomes Part Of An Electrical Circuit Path From A Live Wire And Ground. The Theory Behind The Device Is That If There Is A Difference In Electrical Current Flowing Through The Live (120 Volt Ac) Wire And The Neutral Wire, Then The Difference Current Is Flowing To Ground And Is Potentially Hazardous To A Person. Functionally, The Gfci Should Automatically Open The Electrical Circuit Above A Certain Ground Current Value. This Paper Explores How The Circuit May Fail To Provide The Protection For Which It Is Intended, And Result In An Electric Shock.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analysis of a Swimming Pool Electric Shock Injury

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Peruzzi
Keyword(s):  
Electric Power ◽  
Electric Shock ◽  
Current Flow ◽  
Electric Utility ◽  
Swimming Pool ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Her Family ◽  
Three Phase ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
A Minor

This case involves a minor who received an electric shock while swimming in a membership swimming pool. Her family sued the pool association, its president, the electric utility, and others. At some time, tree trimmers had accidentally severed the service drop’s neutral return wire. The electric utility made a temporary splice repair, but did not permanently replace the wire until several years later (after the incident). The forensic engineer (FE) was retained by counsel for the pool and its president to opine on electrical aspects of the plaintiff’s complaints. The FE inspected the pool premises, reviewed documents, and examined the spliced service wires in storage. The FE opined that the pool association and its president were not negligent or careless — and that the electric utility failed its responsibility to maintain the service drop. This report discusses three-phase electric power, current flow, and how a severed neutral can cause a shock.

Microcontroller Device for Conductor Identification Using Acoustic Signal

2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-34
Author(s):  
Aleksandr V. Vinogradov ◽  
Aleksey V. Bukreev
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Signal ◽  
Acoustic Waves ◽  
Theoretical Calculations ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Electrical Circuit ◽  
Research Purpose ◽  
Electrical Wiring ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Technical Solutions

When repairing and replacing electrical wiring in enterprises, the main difficulty is the lack or poor quality of documentation, plans for conductors laying. Distinguishing wires (cables) and their cores by the color of the shells or using tags attached to the ends is difficult if the shells have the same color and there are no tags. Devices and technical solutions used to identify wires and cables do not allow recognizing conductors without breaking the electrical circuit, removing insulation, and de-energizing the network. Searching for the right conductor is a time-consuming operation. (Research purpose) The research purpose is developing a new microcontroller device for identifying wires using an acoustic signal. (Materials and methods) Literature sources has been searched for devices for conductors identifying. (Results and discussion) The article proposes a method that involves feeding an acoustic signal to a wire at one point and capturing it at another, in order to recognize the desired wire. The article presents results of comparison of the developed microcontroller device for identifying conductors using an acoustic signal with known devices and methods for conductors recognizing. (Conclusions) The article reveals the shortcomings of existing methods and means of identifying wires and cables. Authors performed a theoretical calculation of the sound pressure in the conductor at a given distance. The article presents the calculation of speed of acoustic waves in conductors with different types of insulation. Authors designed a microcontroller device for identifying conductors using an acoustic signal and tested it. It was determined that the device increases the safety of work, reduces the cost of operating internal wiring and identification time; eliminates the violation of wire insulation, the need to disable electrical receivers. The convergence of theoretical calculations and experimental data was shown.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Alleged Property Damage From Construction Vibrations

2010 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
D.S. Sax Saxena ◽  
Saxena Anu
Keyword(s):  
Case History ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Pile Driving ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
Construction Methods ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Eye Examination ◽  
Florida Panhandle ◽  
Subsurface Treatment

The Influence Of Construction And Pile Driving Vibrations On Surrounding Buildings, Including Hospitals And Eye Examination Facilities, Sensitive Devices Such As Computers And Surgical Microscopes Or Electronic Machines, And People In The Urban Environment Is A Significant Consideration In Obtaining Project Approvals From Appropriate Agencies And Authorities. Implementation Of Construction Projects In Areas Adjacent To Existing Buildings (Aged, Historical, Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Medical Services, Or Electronic Services) Creates Additional Difficulties. Specialized Case History Is Presented Where Damage To Sensitive Structures From A Variety Of Vibratory Construction Methods Ranging From Pile Driving, Highway Construction, Rock Excavation And/Or Blasting, Was Considered. Twenty Homeowners From A Residential Subdivision In The Florida Panhandle, Claimed Damage Including Cracking To Their Properties During Construction Of Various Portions Of City Storm Water Treatment/Enhancement Project. It Was Also Alleged That During Excavation And Construction Of Drainage Structures, Especially Four Subsurface Treatment Vaults That Required Installation And Extraction Of Sheet Piles Using Vibratory Hammer, Stability Of The Nearby Residential Structures Was Endangered And Resulted In Movement/Cracking. Forensic Engineering Analysis Was Effectively Utilized To Identify, Investigate, And Remediate The Concerns As Well As Assist In Litigation And In Some Cases Avoidance. This Technical Paper Presents Some Legal Issues Related To Litigation, Mediation, And Resolution Involving Jurisprudence System And Introduces A Case History That Includes All Elements Of Forensic Engineering.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Lightning Strikes And Surge Related Losses

2013 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Curtis E. Falany
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Electronic Circuits ◽  
Lightning Strikes ◽  
Structure Damage ◽  
Significant Damage ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Living Organisms

Lightning Is A Powerful And Dangerous Natural Force. It Is Capable Of Inflicting Significant Damage To Our Environment And Causing Injury Or Death In Living Organisms. Electrical And Electronic Circuits Are Particularly Susceptible To Lightning, Both From Direct Strikes And From Lightning Induced Electrical Surges. Fires Often Result From Lightning Strikes. Injury And Death Can Result From Both Direct Strikes, Lightning Induced Electrical Surges, And Indirectly From Structure Damage And Fires. The Insurance In-Dustry Offers Coverage For Lighting Related Losses And A Forensic Engineer Is Often Consulted To Assist In Adjusting The Claim.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analysis of Dynamic Forces Created by Pedestrians Impacting Plate Glass at Different Speeds

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Kravitz
Keyword(s):  
Impact Load ◽  
Building Code ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Glass Panel ◽  
Impact Speed ◽  
Dynamic Forces ◽  
Exit Door ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Pedestrian Impact ◽  
The Impact

This paper examines the effect of a pedestrian inadvertently impacting a glass panel adjacent to a glass exit door. The glass panel was full length and unmarked, violating the local building code and building commissioner directives. The defense argued that the old building code, to which the college building was constructed, was “grandfathered” and there was no violation. Initial witness and plaintiff statements indicated that the plaintiff was running when he struck the panel, which shattered and caused the plaintiff to incur injuries. The plaintiff testified later, in deposition, that he was walking when he struck the glass. The court needed to establish liability percentage, which is common in civil cases, and it was necessary to determine at what pedestrian impact speed the glass panel would break. The analysis used Timoshenko’s theory of vibration plates, Roark’s stress strain formulas, ergonomics, and human factors to estimate the impact load and stresses on the glass panel that caused failure.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analysis of a Shopping Mall Explosion

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerry R. Tindal
Keyword(s):  
Shopping Mall ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Forensic Engineering

On May 7, 2009 a catastrophic explosion occurred at a shopping mall located just outside of Washington, D.C. As a result of the explosion, several persons, including multiple firefighters, were injured, and a large portion of the mall was destroyed. This paper examines the cause of the explosion.

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