Water Damaged Electrical Equipment


  #1  
Old 11-03-12, 08:33 AM
pcboss's Avatar
Forum Topic Moderator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Maryland
Posts: 13,977
Received 194 Upvotes on 170 Posts
Water Damaged Electrical Equipment

For those affected by the recent flooding related to Hurricane Sandy, please refer to this from NEMA regarding flooded electrical equipment before restoring power.

Evaluating Water-Damaged Electrical Equipment
 

Last edited by Nashkat1; 10-20-13 at 07:25 PM.
  #2  
Old 11-03-12, 10:44 AM
Justin Smith's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Cressona, Pa, USA
Posts: 2,272
Upvotes: 0
Received 1 Upvote on 1 Post
You should make this a sticky for the time being.
 
  #3  
Old 11-10-12, 03:24 AM
d_s_k's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Norway
Posts: 406
Received 22 Upvotes on 20 Posts
Still you may take the risk, just because its not covered by any insurance ... (I know, many of you will, right or wrong, it is a hope, and you want to test it.)

What to do?

Polluted water, sea water etc. is a kind of conductor, so if it has been exposed to polluted water, rinse well.. and do it again. Let it dry, and be sure it is really dry, so let it dry a little bit longer.


Ready for testing? where, how, what if it catch fire, how to protect against electric shock? What about harmful smoke or gases? Is it other risks?

You have to consider, and take care.

If it was me? I have a garage with concrete floor. The outlet is GFCI protected, and I have a fire extinguisher. I will not store anything flammable in the garage during test.

powers witch off -plug in wait a 1/2 minute if OK, plug out, switch on plug in, if OK try to test it out if its working. if OK let it run for a longer period (while you are testing another unit?)

Keep on until feeling safe to take it back home, or if deemed to be defect, cut the cord, and throw it away (follow local regulations for such waist).

Good luck.

dsk
 
  #4  
Old 12-12-12, 11:42 AM
electures's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: The Great Police State of New Jersey
Posts: 9
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
For New Jersey residents follow this link to the DCA web page for flood damaged homes.
 
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
 
Ask a Question
Question Title:
Description:
Your question will be posted in: