Start Date: 11/19/2024 12:00 PM PST
End Date: 11/19/2024 1:00 PM PST
Organization Name:
Washington Defense Trial Lawyers
Contact:
Sponsor: Jensen Hughes
1 WSBA CLE Credit confirmed
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Non Members: $40
Presented by Jeffrey Marsh, Senior Electrical Engineer
Electricity flows into the end user via phase conductors and out of the end user via a neutral conductor. The neutral conductor, which is bonded with the grounding electrode at the service point, also provides the reference point for the incoming phase voltage. A break or loose connection in the neutral return path results in electricity flowing through a different path. A floating or loose neutral is no longer grounded, allowing the voltage to “float” up to the Line Voltage of the phase conductors.
This situation can be very dangerous and end users may suffer and/or experience risks, including but not limited to:
- Electrical shock
- Voltage imbalances or stray currents in the circuit can affect equipment operation and cause damage.
- Fire
Factors causing floating neutral include but are not limited to the following:
- Loose or damaged connections at electrical panels, outlets, or junction boxes.
- Improper wiring practices and connection of grounding systems.
- Poor maintenance of failure in electrical equipment such as circuit breakers, transformers, service conductors, corrosion, etc.
- Environmental conditions such as lightning strikes.
Jeffrey Marsh is a Senior Electrical Engineer with over 20 years of experience in electrical/mechanical failure analysis, electrical design/build contracting, and automotive manufacturing environments. Mr. Marsh is recognized as a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator by the National Fire Protection Association and has composed legal declarations for class action lawsuits, served as an expert witness in civil court and is familiar with insurance claim losses. His investigative casework experience includes product failure analysis, fire investigations for residential, commercial, industrial and marina properties, failure analysis for low and medium voltage utility distribution transformers, electrical control systems and electrical/mechanical equipment. Mr. Marsh has internationally managed product quality and manufacturability of electronic components for vehicle manufacturers. Mr. Marsh has performed damage assessments and remediation consulting on electrical infrastructures both nationally and internationally.
