I observed a 200 amp panel yesterday that was installed in 04 I noticed severe burn marks on the outlet side of the 200 amp breaker and some smoke marks where the indivual breakers were connected. I took this as serious stuff. The owner of the home was present at the time of inspection and I knew him personally from my other life Due to the serious nature of this I pointed this out. He stated that his son-in-law whom is a licensed electrican installed the panel and that he would be right over and he was. He pulled all of the breakers and the left side buss bar was toast as was most of the breakers on that side. He stated that it appeared to be from a lighting strike. My thinking was loose connection as there was no damage to the other buss bar and no damage within the home. My expericense with lighting strikes is most usually you loose your television your computer your refig and most every thing in the home and I am talking from personal expericense. There were no surge protection divices in use any where.
I made no comment as to the lighting strike because I think the son-in-law was saving face with his father-in law and the repairs were being performed immediately.
Give me your thoughts on this and no I did not take pic’s