Can you help me with an Inspection problem?

[wsiegel]

After a little research, this is what I came up with.

Cupric sulfide. Usually a bad ground, loose ground or neutral, or not enough grounding due to soil like acidic soil. Since it is only in the panel I would not rule out a lightning strike or chemicals stored in the garage.

[ROBERT W. NEWLAND, JR.]

Originally Posted by jmathy

Thanks Jeff,
I just want to say.

I apologies to all who think I have an "attitude".
I don't.

Thanks Jay. No problem, welcome to NACHI

[iniquette]

No problem Jay. I was just pointing out that it could be a possibility that a few sheets were used in the area of the panel. I read your original posts several times before I posted to make sure I hadn't misunderstood you. Welcome aboard.

[Jay Mathy]

Originally Posted by jpope

I would agree with the electricians if the wires were burnt, which I don't believe to be the case. I'm sticking with "chemical reaction." I can't offer any additional theories for the source.

-
Hey Jeff - Thinking "chemical reaction." Is in fact Okay as long as we think outside of that "chinese box". It's really hard to find something that is just not there. -
I went back over to the house this afternoon to check further as suggested by electrician & all ...
Everything is good.
Checking all wires in the breaker box again I can see different degrees and colors of oxidation and now believe this is a result of some sort of chemical reaction. As this is in the garage perhaps the former owners stored something toxic in there that caused this reaction. (?) But as this is a Foreclosure the "what" may remain unknown.
-
Thanks for everyones help.
j

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by jmathy

-As this is in the garage perhaps the former owners stored something toxic in there that caused this reaction. (?) But as this is a Foreclosure the "what" may remain unknown.
-
Thanks for everyones help.
j

A foreclosure? Well maybe this was a meth lab!

[Jay Mathy]

Well whatever it was that has done this to the wires in the electrical panel here's the one pic that just blows my mind.
Take a close look at the outlet. It's original.

[cjustason]

That looks alot like what happened in my wellhouse a couple years back. Lightning strike blew out the lightening arrestor. Of course turned all the bare copper black. Cleaned it up, put on a new device and back in bussiness without any further issues. No drywall in the wellhouse. Glad the arrestor was there or I could have ended up replacing the pump and been without water for an extended period.