Blackened Grounds

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

I know this has been discussed here, but I'm not sure we've ever come to a concensus as to the issue that causes it.

The house has been vacant/unoccupied for nearly one year, built in 2005.

All grounding conductors are black. Some show signs that they may have been heated with a blueish tint.

Most of the ungrounded conductors (neutrals) were also black.

None of the ungrounded conductors were black.

Interior receptacles show no abnormal voltage-drop, and there was no discoloration at the conductors inside the home. The panel wiring showed no abnormal heat ranges with thermal imaging.

What say you?

[Mike Whitt]

Ever see a copper roof?

[Speedy Petey]

It's you left-coast-outdoor-panel guys.

Originally Posted by jpope

The house has been vacant/unoccupied for nearly one year, built in 2005.

WOW! Is the market that bad out there?

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by Mike Whitt

Ever see a copper roof?

If it were really that simple, shouldn't we expect that the ungrounded conductors be blackened as well?

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by Speedy Petey

WOW! Is the market that bad out there?

How is that bad? Foreclosures are "hot." Bank will try and hold out for a good price, but eventually they get realistic and reduce them to maket rates.

This one is in the desert, 3200 sq ft for $289k.

[Greg Fretwell]

Well water? Sulfer? Maybe an aeriator
I know that turns copper black.

[Michael R. Boyett]

Originally Posted by jpope

None of the ungrounded conductors were black.

Aren't these ungrounded & darkened as well?

[jtedesco1]

Read the replies: http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=93357

[Richard L. Bennett]

Jeff

The copper and the black has nothing to do with the fact that one is hot and one is at ground level

Look at it this way if the breaker is closed both are at the same level

Copper changes color based on what is in the air and on what is on the wire

Why some of the "HOT" wires were not black I can not answer

Something is not known

I do not see a reportable issue without additional information

I do not think that a good electician could help without additional information

rlb

[Richard L. Bennett]

Joe your post did not help

rlb

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by mboyett

Aren't these ungrounded & darkened as well?
Attachment 20486

Yep. Didn't notice those at the time. . .

[Bruce A. King]

Could the presence of excessive harmonics within the system attract airborne particles?

[jtedesco1]

Originally Posted by rbennett

Joe your post did not help

rlb

Read through the replies they do discuss the issue and show that there is a problem, leaving the job and inspection that a HI was hired to do without mention on a report, is likely to come back to the frost and heat the argument, again READ the replies!!

LOOK HERE TO search

[Bruce A. King]

We have no information to suggest there is a problem other than cosmetic.

I would still "observe and report" what is present and also report the fact that no factual information has been located that explains the darkened copper.

[Jeff Allcroft]

Hey all, my first post - I am new to the board and really appreciate the serious stuff, the code specific items and the funnies too!

Boaters here http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/001067.html seem to think the black copper is due to salt.

Jeff