Electrical engineers and product failure analysts investigating defects and malfunctions.
These forensic specialists determine why electrical systems and consumer products fail, identifying the root cause of fires, injuries, and property damage.
Electrical and product failure analysts are forensic engineers and scientists who investigate malfunctions, defects, and hazards in electrical systems, appliances, consumer electronics, and industrial equipment. Their work bridges electrical engineering, materials science, and fire investigation — and their findings frequently determine liability in product liability lawsuits, insurance claims, and regulatory proceedings.
These experts are retained when an electrical system or product is suspected of causing a fire, shock, explosion, or injury. They examine failed components at the microscopic level, test exemplar products, analyze circuit designs, and evaluate whether the product met applicable safety standards at the time of manufacture.
Electrical failures are among the leading causes of residential and commercial fires in the United States. Forensic electrical engineers investigate failures in wiring, circuit breakers, outlets, switchgear, transformers, and power distribution systems. They distinguish between failures caused by overloaded circuits, loose connections (resulting in glowing or arcing), short circuits, and ground faults.
A critical part of the analysis involves determining whether an electrical component was the cause of a fire or merely a victim of it. Arc mapping — systematically documenting the location and characteristics of electrical arcs throughout a fire scene — helps establish the fire's area of origin and whether electrical activity preceded the fire or resulted from it. This methodology, outlined in NFPA 921, requires both electrical engineering expertise and fire investigation training.
When a consumer product or industrial machine is alleged to have caused injury or property damage, product failure analysts evaluate the design, manufacturing quality, and warnings associated with the product. They assess whether the product conformed to applicable standards from organizations such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
Common product failure investigations involve household appliances (dryers, dishwashers, space heaters), lithium-ion battery failures in electronics and electric vehicles, power tools and industrial machinery, electrical panels and circuit breakers, and lighting fixtures and wiring devices. The expert's work product typically includes a detailed failure analysis report, laboratory testing results, and exemplar product comparisons that demonstrate the specific defect and how it led to the incident.
The most credible electrical and product failure experts hold professional engineering (PE) licenses in electrical engineering and demonstrate familiarity with the standards that govern the products they investigate. NFPA 921 (Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations) and NFPA 1033 (Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator) are foundational for fire-related electrical investigations. UL standards, IEEE codes, and the National Electrical Code (NEC/NFPA 70) govern electrical system design and installation.
When evaluating an expert, look for laboratory capabilities — the ability to conduct metallurgical examination, X-ray analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Experts who can perform their own testing rather than relying solely on third-party labs offer faster turnaround and tighter chain-of-custody control. A track record of testimony in both plaintiff and defense matters, peer-reviewed publications, and professional memberships in organizations such as IEEE and NAFE further indicate credibility and depth of expertise.
Electrical engineering and product failure investigation services nationwide.
Forensic electrical and product failure analysis.
Applied Technical Services is one of North America's leading consulting engineering firms, founded in 1967, specializing in forensic engineering, fire investigation, and materials testing.
Genesis Forensics is an ISO 17020:2012 accredited fire investigation and forensic engineering firm in Massachusetts, serving clients across the United States and Canada.
Nederveld is a multi-discipline organization in Michigan providing forensic engineering, fire investigation, and HVAC consulting services.
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