ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION

This is a collection of photographs showing examples of electrical fire causes. Unless otherwise stated, each of the examples were determined to be the cause of the fire, rather than being the result of the fire. All photographs were taken by Forensic Services Asia consultants during fire investigations.

The remains of two cables that crossed, with loss of insulation resulting in arcing. The cables were from a vehicle fire.

The remains of two cables that crossed, with loss of insulation resulting in arcing. The cables were from a vehicle fire.

A cable passing through a sharp edged panel forming the boot (trunk) of a motor vehicle. The insulation was lost (perhaps there had been no protective grommet) and a fire resulted.

A cable passing through a sharp edged panel forming the boot (trunk) of a motor vehicle. The insulation was lost (perhaps there had been no protective grommet) and a fire resulted.

From the electrical switchbox of a mini-market. The electrician had simply pushed the cable into a slot, instead of securing it by tightening the screw. In many of the countries of SE Asia, the people doing this work are not actually qualified electricians, but are supposedly supervised by such.

From the electrical switchbox of a mini-market. The electrician had simply pushed the cable into a slot, instead of securing it by tightening the screw. In many of the countries of SE Asia, the people doing this work are not actually qualified electricians, but are supposedly supervised by such.

Cable arcing onto the steel frame of a cabinet as it passed over a corner. The cables were from a battery backup for an island terminal for undersea telecommunications.

Cable arcing onto the steel frame of a cabinet as it passed over a corner. The cables were from a battery backup for an island terminal for undersea telecommunications.

Following the above photograph, a contemporaneous installation, with no attempt to lessen the indenting by the frame corner.

Following the above photograph, a contemporaneous installation, with no attempt to lessen the indenting by the frame corner.

A hot contact caused by poor tightening of the conductor. This was not the cause of the large fire being investigated, but the fire was believed to be electrical in origin and the finding of this artifact in the same premises indicated a poor standard of electrical workmanship.

A hot contact caused by poor tightening of the conductor. This was not the cause of the large fire being investigated, but the fire was believed to be electrical in origin and the finding of this artifact in the same premises indicated a poor standard of electrical workmanship.

A conductor arcing onto a steel frame. Constant movement of the frame probably resulted in abrasion of the insulation on the conductor.

A conductor arcing onto a steel frame. Constant movement of the frame probably resulted in abrasion of the insulation on the conductor.

Portion of a halogen high bay light. The capacitor igniter had caught on fire. An unburnt unit is shown for comparison purposes.

Portion of a halogen high bay light. The capacitor igniter had caught on fire. An unburnt unit is shown for comparison purposes.

Arcing of a conductor onto a steel cable duct, destroying a textile factory in Laos. The standard of installation was poor, but may well have been not unusual for this country.

Arcing of a conductor onto a steel cable duct, destroying a textile factory in Laos. The standard of installation was poor, but may well have been not unusual for this country.