Michelle Couture
Regional Manager and Director, Architecture, Northwest
(206) 650-2429
Electrical
Electrical Engineering and Failure Analysis
YA Group’s forensic electrical engineers investigate failures across a wide range of systems, structures, and equipment. Whether the incident involves a fire, arc flash, lightning strike, power surge, or electrocution, our team has the expertise to identify critical physical evidence, determine cause, and deliver findings that hold up to scrutiny.
We follow industry-standard methodologies including NFPA 921, NFPA 70, and NFPA 70E, and most of our electrical engineers hold Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) recognition from the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI).
Lightning and Power Surge Investigations
Lightning strikes and power surge events can damage or destroy electrical systems, components, and equipment. YA Group combines electrical failure analysis with historical weather data evaluations and examination of critical physical evidence to identify the cause of reported events.
Commonly investigated electrical systems include electrical distribution systems (split-phase residential, 3-phase commercial and industrial), appliances, smart home/home automation systems, industrial equipment, radio antennae towers, exterior lightning, HVAC equipment, elevators, generators, video surveillance systems, PBX telephony systems, digital signage and score boards, solar equipment, lightning protection systems, marina systems and boats.
Arc Flash, Electrocutions, and Electric Shock Investigations
Improperly installed or maintained electrical systems can cause arc flash, electrocution, or electric shock incidents with serious consequences. YA Group evaluates these incidents using expertise in electrical failure analysis and knowledge of NFPA 70 and NFPA 70E safety codes. Our investigations cover residential and commercial distribution systems, overhead
power lines, switchgear, busways, isolation switches, appliances, industrial and medical equipment, HVAC, and marina systems.
YA provides detailed reports that may include scope of repairs, cost estimates, evaluation of industry standards, and local and national building code compliance. We evaluate electrical system issues related to:
Single and multi-family structures
Commercial properties
Industrial facilities
Government facilities
Vehicles and marinas
Equipment grounding and system bonding
Improperly installed lightning protection systems
OSHA standards for Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO)
Contact with overhead power lines
Open neutral conditions
Overcurrent protection
Design, construction, maintenance, and product or material defects
Artifact laboratory examinations, both nondestructive and destructive
Expert witness testimony
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June 30, 2026
|
1 min read
Hurricane activity remains a significant source of property risk across many regions of the United States. In this ar...
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February 4, 2026
|
1 min read
In today’s construction landscape, disputes over defects can quickly escalate into multi-million-dollar claims, putti...
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1 min read
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