Strange bang? Should I be worried?

[BlueToBits]

Hi.
Whilst working in my own garage I was drilling a hole in the exposed brick wall joint. Solid construction bare brick, 1920s, no plaster.
About 50mm into the brick joint there is a fairly loud bang and a flash which I think came from the bit end - which is now bright gold colour, but not burned or with missing chunks. The drill is a 6yr old infrequently used Bosch SDS and a rusty long (700mm) 10mm drill. It took out the 20A circuit breaker but not the RCD or the 10A plug fuse. I know there are no cables or metalwork in the wall, but the wall is damp as the drill 'dust' was gooey and steaming and the drill was finding it heavy going. I reset the MCB and was unable to see anything remotely significant so I continued drilling with no further incident.
Should I be worried? What could have caused this?
Thanks.

 

[DPG]

This is a wind up right? Big bang, MCB tripped - I personally would have a look into this but maybe it's just me. Daz

 

[plugsandsparks]

faulty drill ?

 

[telectrix]

more like faulty operator. :6:

 

[Barry White]

I have had drills stick in wet brick and sometimes theres a little pop and dust/goo blows out.(if you dont pull out the drill bit to release the dust/goo you mention) but never had a flash.
What is "it took out the circuit breaker" The drill or the hole? would I be worried well I would investigate further to ensure there are no services there. if there is not then something weird has just happened.

 

[YoungScud]

"I know there are no cables or metalwork in the wall".

You know this through having had the wall X-rayed?

 

[Darkwood]

You saw a flash bang and it took out a breaker - What did your test results on the circuit that tripped show before you reset it?
You say there are no wires in the wall where you were drilling, this is just an educated guess here but I suspect you are mistaken - you probably caught the edge of the cable with the L core been nicked by the drill and using the earth return of the drill - this would explain why it reset but crucially you now have a damaged cable that may not show on any tests but in a damp wall could be a future issue and shock hazard.

 

[7029 dave]

He's hit a cable me thinks.??

 

[telectrix]

or this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR5ApYxkU-U

 

[rolyberkin]

If no cable in wall, suggest breakdown of the drill windings coupled with a heavy bit of drilling or possibility of a damaged drill power cord, corded SDS drills are the prone to damaged lead cables.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Static electricery. :yes:

 

[PEG]

In that age of property,it was common enough practice,to run small lead sheathed cables,in mortar joints. Seen loads on demolition jobs,and pulled out one from a property of my own,circa 1937 irate:

 

[Geordie Spark]

In that age of property,it was common enough practice,to run small lead sheathed cables,in mortar joints. Seen loads on demolition jobs,and pulled out one from a property of my own,circa 1937 irate:

Gas pipes as well - like lead microbore
usually feeding gas wall lights

 

[Dave OCD]

In that age of property,it was common enough practice,to run small lead sheathed cables,in mortar joints. Seen loads on demolition jobs,and pulled out one from a property of my own,circa 1937 irate:

Weren't you a bit young to be mucking about with lead cables in 1937 ? :laugh3:

 

[YoungScud]

I suppose the concensus is, in answer to your original question, is yes, you should be worried.

 

[DPG]

Has he come back to us yet? Hope he's OK! Daz

 

[ruston]

I suppose the concensus is, in answer to your original question, is yes, you should be worried.[/QUOTE]
Especially if the drill still works.

 

[YoungScud]

I suppose the concensus is, in answer to your original question, is yes, you should be worried.[/QUOTE]
Especially if the drill still works.

:hurray:

 

[DPG]

I thought he would have come back to us by now to see what answer was given to his question. Daz

 

[PEG]

Must be penning a new question...to Viz:thinking: