Metered water

[cbuell]

Today's inspection---water running into the meter base by following the pipe down from a roof leak at the mast flashing and through the threaded adaptor at the top of the meter base.

[smcarthur]

If properly installed the hub on the top of the meter can should not allow water to enter the meter can, at least not that much.

[Thomas H. Dietrich]

I had water enter my meter base, and then my service panel, 10+ years on a south side, was too much for duct seal. Might want to see if it has cracks, and defer to a qualified electrician for further investigation.

BTW, it's a good tip not to touch any water coming out of an electrical box. Solid or not.

tom

[cbuell]

Tom thanks for the advice. Actually your response is the real reason I posted the picture----in order to get some discussion going about the conductivity of water. Ordinary rain water or tap water is not conductive and can only be made conductive by the addition of considerable contamination. Salt water is more conductive. I have cut off extension cords and frozen the ends in ice and it wouldn't even trip a GFCI The discussion becomes even more interesting when thinking of plastic tubs with plastic drains and supply piping and whether someone could get a shock touching a hot conductor while being in the water-----I don't think so. Anyone else have any ideas on the subject?

[Thomas H. Dietrich]

Originally Posted by cbuell

Ordinary rain water or tap water is not conductive and can only be made conductive by the addition of considerable contamination.

Rain water is precontaiminated. Either by the soil/dust/salt crystal it forms around, or the weak carbolic acid formed by absorbing CO2.

BTW, I was looking at my service panel cause I heard something, later found out it was dripping water. I opened the door, and saw shiny stuff, between the breakers and said to myself, "hey is that water?" I reached up and touched it, and got juiced. I was wearing socks standing on a concrete floor, so it jumped through me, since the humid air was the ground most likely, if I was barefoot, I don't think might be around to tell you, Rain Water Conducts Electricity!

It was just rain water.

[cbuell]

Tom, is it not possible that the electricity arced from the metal enclosure "around" the water to you?

[Thomas H. Dietrich]

Originally Posted by cbuell

Tom, is it not possible that the electricity arced from the metal enclosure "around" the water to you?

I touched the plastic breaker, not the metal. My service panel is properly grounded too. I checked it with my wiggly.

tom

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by tdietrich1

I touched the plastic breaker, not the metal. My service panel is properly grounded too. I checked it with my wiggly.

tom

Ouch! Doesn't that hurt.
ROTFL



Oh you meant Wiggy

[Thomas H. Dietrich]

Originally Posted by mlarson

Oh you meant Wiggy

No my Wiggly.

http://www.acehardware.com/sm-square...i-1297996.html

I don't have a square-d, but I do have a GE and IDeal. However brand (size I've been told) doesn't matter, they're all wigglies.

tom

[Paul W. Abernathy]

lol....I wont TOUCH this one....

[Michael Larson]

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[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by pabernathy

lol....I wont TOUCH this one....

And I'm very glad about that.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Well now....not sure HOW I should take that Micheal.....

[Thomas H. Dietrich]

Originally Posted by pabernathy

lol....I wont TOUCH this one....

My Wiggly thanks you!