Electrical faults caused by water are very common. Without the proper precaution, water can easily get into light fittings and other electrical components.
This post will go into more detail about how water causes electrical faults, where these faults tend to occur and what you can do to avoid it.
What Is An Electrical Fault Caused By Water?
Electrical faults occur because water forms a conductive path between the hot wire and neutral or earth, allowing electricity to flow causing a short circuit or ground fault.
Interestingly, pure water is not conductive, instead the minerals and salt present in tap water or rain water are conductive, which is what allows the electricity to travel.
What Is The Results Of An Electrical Fault Caused By Water?
Water in an electrical fitting will do one of two things:
- Short circuit – This is when phase comes in contact with the neutral. The result of this will be a flash, spark, or a fire. Hopefully, a circuit breaker will trip before a fire starts.
- Ground Fault – This is when phase makes contact with a conductive surface or earth. The result will be an electric shock, but hopefully a RCD or ‘earth interrupting circuit device’ trips first.
In most standard homes, if there is an electrical fault caused by water, protective devices will trip before a fire or electric shock occurs. If not, see below.
Can An Electrical Fault Caused By Water Cause A Fire?
Yes, it can cause a fire. Especially if your circuit breakers are not properly rated or connected. In this case, they won’t work in the event of an electrical fault.
So if there’s a short circuit, it will keep fizzing until the cable burns away, hopefully your house doesn’t burn with it.
Where Does An Electrical Fault Caused By Water Occur?
These types of electrical faults tend to be caused by the weather or wet areas such as near kitchen sinks, baths or showers.
Electrical regulations exist around putting electrical appliances in wet areas so if your appliances were fit by a registered electrician this shouldn’t be a problem.
This leaves the main culprit of water caused electrical problems, the weather.
Here is where these electrical faults tend to occur:
- Outdoor power outlets
- Outdoor lights
- Outdoor electrical junctions
- Pumps for water, septic, etc
- Outdoor sensors
- Extension cords left outside
- Electric motors outside
- Appliances exposed to the weather
Why Do Electrical Faults Caused By Water Occur?
Aside from heavy rain and extreme weather events, electrical faults tend to occur because the fittings haven’t been sealed properly or a wrong IP rating fitting has been used.
This can include:
- Not using a water proof sealant, such as silicon to keep water away from live parts.
- Not using glue to seal conduit and make it watertight.
- Using an indoor rated light or outlet, outside.
- Leaving appliances and extension cords out in the weather.
How To Find Electrical Faults Caused By Water?
If there has recently been a lot of heavy rain and you’ve noticed a circuit breaker has tripped, it could possibly be caused by water getting into electrical components. Sometimes you will be able to see water sitting inside fittings. This is especially true with sensor lights, where you can see water accumulate inside the sensor part.
How To Fix Electrical Faults Caused By Water?
Sometimes you can dry out electrical terminals with a rag and then make sure there is a good seal to keep water out. The last time I did this was with an electric motor.
In many cases, rust and corrosion might have caused too much damage, meaning the fitting needs to be replaced.
Next Steps
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