Insights
Codes, test methods and investigation practice in electrical power, corrosion and cathodic protection, and forensic engineering, written by our engineers.
At a glance
LatestFire Investigation
Fire scene evidence preservation after a loss: notice to interested parties, joint scene exams, labeling, chain of custody and lab exams.
10 min read
Subject Matter Experts: Brian J. Brackensick, M.S., P.E. and Stepan V. Eero, M.S., P.E.
Corrosion and Cathodic Protection
What 49 CFR 192.465 and 195.573 require of an annual cathodic protection survey: intervals, criteria, rectifier and bond checks, records and repairs.
10 min read
Electrical
How an NEC® 220.87 load study works: a year of demand data or a 30-day recording, the 125% test, a worked example, and mistakes that get studies rejected.
10 min read
Longer guides that explain the methods and the codes behind each practice.
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4 to 21 of 203
Electrical
How far to place the current probe in a fall of potential test, the 62% rule, 12 common mistakes, and why ground resistance can't prove bonding.
14 min readInteractive
Corrosion and Cathodic Protection
Cathodic protection systems fail quietly. Here are 7 common causes, from rectifier faults to stray current, and the test readings that flag trouble early.
11 min read
Electrical
Dust, metal fines, and damp residue can lead to electrical equipment failure. Learn the 5 ways it happens and why compressed air can make it worse.
9 min read
Forensic
What the seal rules of 55 US licensing jurisdictions require of a digital PE stamp, how seal fraud works, and how to verify a sealed PDF.
92 min read
Electrical
How a 4-20 mA current loop works: live zero, the 250 ohm resistor, loop resistance, NAMUR NE 43 faults and the current mirror inside a transmitter.
11 min readInteractive
Electrical
An open neutral can push half a home's circuits far above 120 V. See what it means on an outlet tester, the symptoms, what to do and a live demo.
12 min readInteractive
Electrical
Pool grounding and bonding under NEC Article 680: equipotential bonding, the 8 AWG bond, water bonding and GFCI protection, explained by licensed engineers.
3 min read
Corrosion and Cathodic Protection
Cathodic protection compliance on a Colorado pipeline depends on the type of line: 192.465 for gas, 195.573 for hazardous liquids, ECMC rules for flowlines.
4 min read
Corrosion and Cathodic Protection
CP in high-resistivity Rocky Mountain soil takes more voltage to push the same current, so we survey the whole route and size for the driest season.
4 min read
Electrical
Is electrical engineering hard? Yes, it is one of the harder majors: the toughest courses, how it compares, and the path to a PE license.
8 min readInteractive
Forensic
How licensed electrical engineers assess electrical damage after a lightning strike, from hidden surge failures to grounding problems.
7 min read
Electrical
Summer heat and HVAC condensation quietly stress commercial electrical systems. See the hidden failure points engineers find and how to cut fire risk.
6 min read
Corrosion and Cathodic Protection
Stray current corrosion can destroy pipelines and buried infrastructure fast. Learn how it happens, why it's increasing, and how cathodic protection helps.
6 min read
Forensic
Utility coordination failures cause roughly $30 billion in damages, delays, and liability each year. Learn why they happen and how engineers reduce risk.
6 min read
Forensic
After a transformer failure, engineers trace the root cause: overheating, insulation breakdown, or external faults. See what a failure analysis covers.
6 min read
Corrosion and Cathodic Protection
AMPP certifications like CP4 don't replace a professional licensed engineer for cathodic protection design. Here is the legal difference and what it means.
10 min read
Fire Investigation
Fire suppression system failures trace back to mechanical faults, electrical issues, and skipped maintenance. Learn the causes and how to reduce your risk.
6 min read
Forensic
Climate conditions are reshaping how forensic engineers investigate failures: heat, moisture and soil changes now factor into root cause analysis.
6 min read
Free tools that run in your browser, and articles that let you change the inputs and watch the result.
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