1) USE OF THIS PUBLICATION
This publication provides information on how to evaluate electrical equipment that has been exposed to
water through flooding, fire fighting activities, hurricanes, etc. It is designed for use by suppliers,
installers, inspectors and users of electrical products.
Electrical equipment exposed to water can be extremely hazardous if reenergized without proper
reconditioning or replacement. Reductions in integrity of electrical equipment due to moisture can affect
the ability of the equipment to perform its intended function. Damage to electrical equipment can also
result from flood waters contaminated with chemicals, sewage, oil and other debris, which will affect the
integrity and performance of the equipment. Ocean water and salt spray can be particularly damaging
due to the corrosive and conductive nature of the salt water residue.
Distributors of electrical equipment should not supply any inventory that has been subjected to water
damage. This can lead to damaged equipment still being used and creating a hazard to individuals or
property.
2) TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER
Working knowledge of electrical systems and of the equipment in question is required to evaluate
damage due to contact with water. The original manufacturer of the equipment should be contacted if
any questions arise or specific recommendations are needed. In many cases, replacement will be
necessary.
After consultation with the manufacturer, some larger types of electrical equipment may be
reconditioned by properly trained personnel. The potential to recondition the equipment may vary with
the nature of the electrical function, the degree of flooding, the age of the equipment, and the length of
time the equipment was exposed to water.
Attempts to recondition equipment without consulting the manufacturer can result in additional hazards
due to the use of improper cleaning agents, which can further damage the equipment (see National
Electrical Code Section 110.11 FPN No.2) or due to improper reconditioning techniques.
NEMA member companies are committed to safety. For specific contacts within these manufacturing
firms, call or write:
National Electrical Manufacturers Association
1300 North 17th Street, Suite 1752
Rosslyn, Virginia 22209
Telephone: (703) 841-3236
Fax: (703) 841-3336
ATTN: Vince Baclawski
email: vin_baclawski@nema.org
3) ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT / RECONDITIONING REQUIREMENTS
The table shown below provides the requirements and recommendations associated with various
categories of electrical equipment that have been subjected to water damage. Where it is shown that
the equipment “may be reconditioned” it is critical that the manufacturer of the equipment be contacted
for specific guidance.
TABLE
4) THE HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH WATER-DAMAGED ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
4.1) Electrical Distribution Equipment
Electrical distribution equipment usually involves switches and low-voltage protective components such
as molded case circuit breakers and fuses within assemblies such as enclosures, panelboards and
switchboards. These assemblies can be connected to electrical distribution systems using various
wiring methods.
The protective components are critical to the safe operation of distribution circuits. Their ability to
protect these circuits is adversely affected by exposure to water and to the minerals, contaminants, and
particles, which may be present in the water. In molded case circuit breakers and switches, such
exposure can affect the overall operation of the mechanism through corrosion, through the presence of
foreign particles, and through loss of lubrication. The condition of the contacts can be affected and the
dielectric insulation capabilities of internal materials can be reduced. Further, some molded case circuit
breakers are equipped with electronic trip units and the functioning of these trip units can be impaired.
Water may affect the filler material of fuses and will degrade the insulation and interruption capabilities.
Distribution assemblies contain protective components together with the necessary support structures,
buswork, wiring, electromechanical or electronic relays and meters. Exposure to water can cause
corrosion and insulation damage to all of these areas. In the case of exposure of distribution
assemblies to water, contact the manufacturer before further action is taken.
4.2) Motor Control Equipment
Motor circuits include motor control devices such as motor starters and contactors, together with
overcurrent protection components such as overload relays, circuit breakers, and fuses often
assembled into motor control panels and motor control centers as well as individual enclosures. Motor
control centers contain both control and protective components together with support structures,
buswork and wiring.
The protective components are critical to the safe operation of motor circuits and their ability to protect
these circuits is adversely affected by exposure to water, and to the minerals, contaminants, and
particles, which may be present in the water. For molded case circuit breakers, such exposure can
affect the overall operation of the mechanism through corrosion, through the presence of foreign
particles, and through loss of lubrication. The condition of the contacts can be affected and the
dielectric insulation capabilities of internal materials can be reduced. Further, some molded case circuit
breakers are equipped with electronic trip units, and the functioning of these trip units can be impaired.
Water may affect the filler material of fuses and will degrade the insulation and interruption capabilities.
Corrosion, loss of lubrication and insulation quality can also be expected in contactors and starters.
Solid-state motor controllers and those electromechanical contactors or starters with integral electronic
circuitry will be more severely affected by water.
4.3) Power Equipment
Power equipment involves low voltage or medium voltage protective devices within an overall
switchgear assembly. The assembly may also contain cabling, buswork with appropriate insulators,
current transformers, electromechanical or electronic relays, and metering.
Reliable operation of the protective devices is vital to system safety. These devices can be adversely
affected by water. In the case of low voltage and medium voltage circuit breakers and switches, the
operation of the mechanism can be impaired by corrosion, by the presence of particles such as silt, and
by the removal of lubricants. The dielectric properties of insulation materials and insulators will degrade
and, for air circuit breakers, the condition of the contacts can be affected. Further, low voltage power
circuit breakers usually incorporate electronic trip units; the functioning of these units will be impaired.
Similarly, the functionality of electronic protective relays and meters can be impaired.
Water may affect the filler material of fuses and will degrade the insulation and interruption capabilities.
Power circuit breakers and medium voltage breakers are designed to be maintainable with the
possibility of replacing contacts in air circuit breakers. Therefore, it maybe possible to reuse such circuit
breakers provided the refurbishing is performed in close consultation with the manufacturer. This
includes cleaning and drying techniques, lubrication advice, and thorough testing prior to the
reapplication of power. However, discard and replace the electronic trip units of low voltage power
circuit breakers, and electronic protective relays and meters in any power equipment.
Replace fusible units of fused equipment. The remainder of the apparatus may be suitable for
refurbishing in close consultation with the manufacturer.
In all cases, great attention must be paid to the thorough cleaning, drying, and testing of insulators and
insulation material.
The power equipment can be expected to contain additional electronic units such as solid state relays.
These units can also be vital to the correct functioning of the protective device, and great care is
needed in the cleaning and testing of such units. A first recommendation is to return the devices to the
manufacturer. If this is not possible, the manufacturer should be consulted on the correct selection of
cleaning agents that remove impurities without damaging the conformal coating. The manufacturer shall
also be contacted for the specific testing required of sophisticated electronic equipment containing, for
example, microprocessors.
The overall power equipment assembly (switchgear) may be able to be reconditioned provided careful
steps are taken in the cleaning, drying and testing of the equipment prior to applying power. This
requires input and advice from the manufacturer. An area of particular concern is the maintenance of
the dielectric properties of insulation. In the field application of medium voltage equipment, standoff
insulators are subjected to a wide variety of high voltage surges. Such insulators may need
replacement.
4.4) Transformers
Exposure of transformers to water can cause corrosion and insulation damage to the transformer core
and winding. The ability of the transformer to perform its intended function in a safe manner can also be
impaired by debris and chemicals, which may be deposited inside the transformer during a flood. Water
and contaminates will also damage the transformer fluids.
4.5) Wire, Cable and Flexible Cords
When any wire or cable product is exposed to water, any metallic component (such as the conductor,
metallic shield, or armor) is subject to corrosion that can damage the component itself and/or cause
termination failures. If water remains in medium voltage cable, it could accelerate insulation
deterioration, causing premature failure. Wire and cable listed for only dry locations may become a
shock hazard when energized after being exposed to water.
Any recommendations for reconditioning wire and cable in Section 1.0 are based on the assumption
that the water contains no high concentrations of chemicals, oils, etc. If it is suspected that the water
has unusual contaminants, such as may be found in some floodwater, the manufacturer should be
consulted before any decision is made to continue using any wire or cable products.
4.6) AFCIs, Wiring Devices, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI)
and Surge Protective Devices
Sediments and contaminants contained in water may migrate into the internal components of installed
electrical products and remain there even after the products have been dried or washed by the user.
These may adversely affect the performance of those products without being readily apparent to the
user community. Also, electrical products, such as AFCIs, GFCIs and surge protective devices, contain
electronic circuitry and other components, which can be adversely affected by water resulting in the
device becoming non-functional or a hazard to the user. Air drying and washing of water damaged
products of this type should not be attempted.
4.7) Cable Tray
Carefully inspect the cable tray system to determine if its mechanical and/or electrical integrity has been
compromised. Repair or replace any damaged portions per original installation requirements. Remove
all debris from the cable tray. If any labels warning against the use of the cable tray as a walkway have
been damaged, obtain new labels from the manufacturer and apply as required.
4.8) Luminaires (Lighting Fixtures) and Ballasts
Fluorescent, high-intensity discharge and incandescent luminaires are not intended for submersion in
water except for those that are listed as submersible luminaires. Flooded luminaires and associated
equipment may be damaged by corrosive materials, sediment, or other debris in the water. Corrosion of
metallic parts and contamination of internal circuitry may prevent the equipment from operating
properly.
4.9) Motors
Motors that have been flooded by water may be subjected to damage by debris or pollutants. This may
result in damage to insulation, switches, contacts of switches, capacitors and overload protectors,
corrosion of metallic parts, and contamination of the lubricating means and should be evaluated by
qualified personnel.
4.10) Electronic Products, Including Signaling, Protection, Communication Systems and
Industrial Controls
Equipment used in signaling, protection and communication systems generally contain electronic
components, and the exposure of such equipment to flooding can adversely affect the reliability of
those systems. Contamination by pollutants or debris in flood waters may cause corrosion of
components of the system, shorting of printed circuits, or alteration of circuit characteristics. Since
some of these types of installations are classified as life safety systems, it is important that the reliability
of those systems be maintained.
Where such systems are damaged by water, replace components of these systems be replaced or
returned to the manufacturer for appropriate cleaning, recalibration, and testing. Manufacturers of these
systems should be contacted for information on specific equipment.
DISCLAIMER: The standards or guidelines presented in a NEMA standards publication are considered
technically sound at the time they are approved for publication. They are not a substitute for a product
seller’s or user’s own judgment with respect to the particular product referenced in the standard or
guideline, and NEMA does not undertake to guarantee the performance of any individual
manufacturer’s products by virtue of this standard or guide. Thus, NEMA expressly disclaims any
responsibility for damages arising from the use, application, or reliance by others on the information
contained in these standards or guidelines.
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