Samuel L. Sharpless, P.E., P.Eng., CFEI
Vice President, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
Get to know the expert
Expert QuestionS & AnswerS
What kinds of cases or matters do you most often work on, and what makes you the right person to handle them?
I most often work on failures and fires involving all kinds of electrical equipment. I am the right person to handle them because I am a licensed Electrical Engineer, I am a Certified Fire Investigator, and I have 25 years of experience investigating electrical equipment failures.
What is one assumption people commonly make in your area of expertise that’s wrong, and what’s the actual reality?
There is a common assumption that melted wiring at a fire scene is ironclad proof that the fire was caused by an electrical failure. In fact, there will almost always be melting of electrical wiring at a fire scene regardless of cause due to fire attack on energized wiring, elevated fire temperatures, and/or alloying of materials during the fire.
What questions should clients be asking when they’re vetting an expert in your field — and what answers should they be looking for?
Clients should be looking specifically for deep forensic experience with the primary issues of the case. Using non-forensic academics or tradesmen often results in an expert focusing on details they know a lot about while missing critical data that is needed to pass muster in a court of law.
Background
Mr. Samuel Sharpless holds a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering and is a registered professional engineer in 27 jurisdictions in the United States and Canada. He is also a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator.
His professional career includes extensive practical experience in electrical engineering, including control system design, circuit design, electronic troubleshooting, and technical management. He is highly experienced in the evaluation of electrical fire causes, including structural, automotive, marine, and industrial fire cases.
Mr. Sharpless’ experience also includes major control system design responsibility in the chemical, paper, and film industries. He has extensive experience commissioning large-scale factory automation systems.
Mr. Sharpless’ case experience includes lithium battery failures, electronic cigarette injuries, electrical service equipment failures, electrocutions, electrical shocks/injuries, building code issues, industrial accidents and injuries, structural fires, corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) fires, automotive and marine fires, small appliance defect claims, cable damage evaluations, industrial production failures and losses, power surge analysis, lightning damage assessment, wiring damage/defect analysis, HVAC control circuit analysis, aircraft service equipment failures, and commercial boiler fires.
Mr. Sharpless is regularly called upon to provide technical assistance relating to electrical failures, electrical injuries, lightning damage, and fire causation.
Education and Certifications
- Electrical Engineering, B.S.: Carnegie Mellon University (1987)
- Registered Professional Engineer, U.S. (P.E.): Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia
- Professional Engineer, Canada (P.Eng.): British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario
- Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator: National Association of Fire Investigators (2002-Present)
- Certified Aerial Lift and Forklift Operator, 2008
- National Fire, Arson, and Explosion Investigation Training Program: Sarasota, FL (Aug. 2002)
- Certified Food Service Manager, Florida, 2001
- Six Sigma Green Belt Course: General Electric (2 weeks) (1999)
- GE Commercial Contract Course (CARE): General Electric (1999)
- Aircraft Maintenance Officer’s Course:S. Air Force (5 months) (1988)
- Eagle Scout, 1981
- Memberships: Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), Senior Member; IEEE PES Transformer Committee; National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)
Publications
- “An Object Oriented Approach to Batch Control.” Instrument Society of America, proceedings of 1994 National Conference, Sharpless, Winslow, and Sakmar, 1994.