How much water can safely be in your electrical system
? During the housing boom of the 2000s, many contractors didn't take the time to compact the dirt around newly built homes. Now, underground electrical services are starting to come apart at the meter which allows water to enter the conduit providing service to the home.
How much water is too much? Any water is too much. Before you panic, realize that some electrical lines are coated with a water resistant coating. The most commonly used XHHW insulation is a polyethylene coating which will protect the wires from heat and moisture. That isn't to say that having your electrical service floating in water is safe, because it's not. But, it is something you will want to have looked at and repaired.
While repairing one this morning, we walked the neighborhood to inspect the other electrical services on neighboring homes. Nearly 50% were open to water. That means 50% of the homes in that neighborhood are feeding water back into the power company's junction box.
The longer water is allowed to pour into the service conduit the more likely it is that it will back up into the junction box or transformer provided by the local power company. Once that water overflows into the junction box or transformer you will have real problems. So, go ahead and take the time to get it fixed early, and the power company and your neighbors will thank you.
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