Nov
05
Our Electric Meter And Circuit Breaker Are Under Water And Electric Applicances Still Work?
ByBecause of Mississsippi flood our electric meter and circuit braker box is under about 12 feet of water. Our camp (trailer) is on 12 ft stilts and is still above the water. All the appliaces etc still have electric and work. How is this possible?
3 Comments
November 5th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Pure water does not conduct electricity. Most water contains salt or other minerals that ionize in water – and it is those ions that conduct electricity through the water.
I can only guess that with the amount of rain you have had, the water around your power panel is “pure” enough to be not conducting enough current across the main terminals to trip the electric company’s breaker nor to overload the transformer.
I am amazed that the power company has not shut off the power to the area since the situation seems extremely dangerous. I would avoid touching any water in the area and would insulate myself as much as possible with rubber boots and gloves when entering a boat to exit the area.
I’ll be most interested in what others have to say about this unique situation.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Well, I agree with “honeylulu2″ I wouldn’t have bothered to add a reply except she said she was interested it what others had to say;
I say she got it right.
Though it is surprising that the water is clean enough for that to happen, there are some pretty short paths that current could flow through, it wouldn’t take much to make the water conductive enough to cause problems.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
the electricity will still look for the path of least resistance so the wires will conduct it. It is simpler for the electricity to travel through the solid wire then it is through the water. But the water could still be very dangerous