Forensic Engineers and Consultants

Tom Kelly

Tom Kelly

Tom Kelly

M.S.E.E., P.E., CFEI, CESCP Phone: 803.732.6600 Cell: 803.391.2467 vCard LinkedIn Download CV

Expertise

  • Electrical Equipment Failures
  • Electrocution & Electric Shock Accidents
  • Fires & Explosions
  • High Energy Laser Design
  • Industrial Electrical Accidents
  • Lightning Strike Analysis
  • Robotics & Automation
  • Scope of Damage - Estimate of Repair
Biography

Senior Consulting Engineer Thomas Kelly is a licensed professional engineer in South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas, as well as a NCEES Model Law Engineer. He has both a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, along with a Master of Business Administration, with an emphasis in strategic leadership, from Winthrop University, Rock Hill, South Carolina. He is also certified as an Electrical Safety Compliance Professional by the National Fire Protection Association and a NAFI Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator.

Tom’s career in electrical engineering spans over 25 years and includes forensic engineering investigation involving industrial electrical accidents, electrical equipment failure analysis, control system failures, including robotics and automation components and scope of damage assessments. He has conducted investigations for arc flash incidents, electrocution and electric shock accidents and lightning strike evaluations.

From his large facilities management, Tom has a depth of knowledge in building envelope performance, lighting system performance and compliance, low and medium voltage electrical distribution systems, and automated production control systems. Critical data infrastructure systems are a special area of interest including emergency and standby power systems. His experience also includes the design and analysis of alternative energy systems utilizing both solar and fuel cell technologies.

Qualifications
B.S., and M.S. in Electrical Engineering
Licensed Professional Engineer
Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator
Certified Electrical Safety Compliance Professional
Applied Engineering Experience – over 25 years
Experience in Electrical Failure Analysis and Fire Investigation
Experience in Robotics and Automation Systems
Recent Posts

T is for Temporary – Issues with Extension Cords and Other Temporary Wiring Applications

Temporary wiring is just that….temporary, and is typically used for repair and maintenance projects.  In this blog I am going to discuss guidance offered by Article 590 of the National Electric Code (NEC), as well as some points to consider when using temporary wiring, including extension cords and holiday lighting. Before each use, extension cords […]

In a Flash – The Transfer of Energies in Our Global Electrical System

According to published weather data for the year 2019, 2.35 billion lightning strikes were recorded across the world, with 223 million of these in the United States.  The movement of atmosphere causes electrical charges to build up between clouds.  A tipping point is reached where the insulating properties of the air cannot withstand the level […]

The Demise of Insulation on Electrical Wiring

Unlike fine wines and some types of cheeses, not everything ages well.  Such is the case with the materials used as insulation of electrical wiring.  While the copper metal used as the conductor in many wire types will last virtually forever, the cladding used to protect and insulate the wire allowing electrons to flow to […]

Hidden Heat: The Unseen Hazard of a High Resistance Connection

A typical residence can have upwards of 10,000 feet of electrical conductors installed, most of which are buried in the walls, attics and crawlspaces.  A commercial building can have 100,000 to upwards of 1 million feet of electrical conductors.  At each device such as a switch or a receptacle are at least three, and typically […]

Hazards Can Lurk Anywhere … Watch Your Step …

While on a lunch stop during a recent vacation trip through Tennessee, I happened across a safety hazard that required immediate attention.  The establishment had a raised concrete patio at the front with a steel railing around the perimeter.  At one edge of the patio was a set of stairs with a continuation of the […]

Testing…testing… Is this thing on?

Many people just take for granted that something is just going to work, and in many cases assume that it will work forever.  One such device that does not get enough attention is the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI).   Simply put, a GFCI is a protective device that compares the current flowing on the hot […]

Ready, Set, Fly! – Understanding Another Technology for Forensic Investigations

This is the first blog in a series on integrating new technologies into the process of forensic investigations.  Documenting the scene of an incident accurately, efficiently, and safely is a key step in every investigation.  Busy roadways and unstable structures present hazards to the investigator during the investigation process. The use of remote sensors can […]

Grounding versus Bonding – Understanding the Difference in Building Electrical Systems

While a teenager might be very familiar with being “grounded”, there is confusion over the meaning of the word in the electrical sense. In building electrical systems, “grounding” and “bonding” are two terms that are often misunderstood. Improper application of the concepts of grounding and bonding may create lethal shock and fire hazards. “Earthing” is […]

Senior Consulting Engineer Thomas Kelly is a licensed professional engineer in South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas, as well as a NCEES Model Law Engineer. He has both a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, along with a Master of Business Administration, with an emphasis in strategic leadership, from Winthrop University, Rock Hill, South Carolina. He is also certified as an Electrical Safety Compliance Professional by the National Fire Protection Association and a NAFI Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator.

Tom’s career in electrical engineering spans over 25 years and includes forensic engineering investigation involving industrial electrical accidents, electrical equipment failure analysis, control system failures, including robotics and automation components and scope of damage assessments. He has conducted investigations for arc flash incidents, electrocution and electric shock accidents and lightning strike evaluations.

From his large facilities management, Tom has a depth of knowledge in building envelope performance, lighting system performance and compliance, low and medium voltage electrical distribution systems, and automated production control systems. Critical data infrastructure systems are a special area of interest including emergency and standby power systems. His experience also includes the design and analysis of alternative energy systems utilizing both solar and fuel cell technologies.

B.S., and M.S. in Electrical Engineering
Licensed Professional Engineer
Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator
Certified Electrical Safety Compliance Professional
Applied Engineering Experience – over 25 years
Experience in Electrical Failure Analysis and Fire Investigation
Experience in Robotics and Automation Systems

T is for Temporary – Issues with Extension Cords and Other Temporary Wiring Applications

Temporary wiring is just that….temporary, and is typically used for repair and maintenance projects.  In this blog I am going to discuss guidance offered by Article 590 of the National Electric Code (NEC), as well as some points to consider when using temporary wiring, including extension cords and holiday lighting. Before each use, extension cords […]

In a Flash – The Transfer of Energies in Our Global Electrical System

According to published weather data for the year 2019, 2.35 billion lightning strikes were recorded across the world, with 223 million of these in the United States.  The movement of atmosphere causes electrical charges to build up between clouds.  A tipping point is reached where the insulating properties of the air cannot withstand the level […]

The Demise of Insulation on Electrical Wiring

Unlike fine wines and some types of cheeses, not everything ages well.  Such is the case with the materials used as insulation of electrical wiring.  While the copper metal used as the conductor in many wire types will last virtually forever, the cladding used to protect and insulate the wire allowing electrons to flow to […]

Hidden Heat: The Unseen Hazard of a High Resistance Connection

A typical residence can have upwards of 10,000 feet of electrical conductors installed, most of which are buried in the walls, attics and crawlspaces.  A commercial building can have 100,000 to upwards of 1 million feet of electrical conductors.  At each device such as a switch or a receptacle are at least three, and typically […]

Hazards Can Lurk Anywhere … Watch Your Step …

While on a lunch stop during a recent vacation trip through Tennessee, I happened across a safety hazard that required immediate attention.  The establishment had a raised concrete patio at the front with a steel railing around the perimeter.  At one edge of the patio was a set of stairs with a continuation of the […]

Testing…testing… Is this thing on?

Many people just take for granted that something is just going to work, and in many cases assume that it will work forever.  One such device that does not get enough attention is the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI).   Simply put, a GFCI is a protective device that compares the current flowing on the hot […]

Ready, Set, Fly! – Understanding Another Technology for Forensic Investigations

This is the first blog in a series on integrating new technologies into the process of forensic investigations.  Documenting the scene of an incident accurately, efficiently, and safely is a key step in every investigation.  Busy roadways and unstable structures present hazards to the investigator during the investigation process. The use of remote sensors can […]

Grounding versus Bonding – Understanding the Difference in Building Electrical Systems

While a teenager might be very familiar with being “grounded”, there is confusion over the meaning of the word in the electrical sense. In building electrical systems, “grounding” and “bonding” are two terms that are often misunderstood. Improper application of the concepts of grounding and bonding may create lethal shock and fire hazards. “Earthing” is […]

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