Wet Breaker

[bczygan]

I've got a breaker that got wet.

It was in a box, in a bin, that got rained on and filled with water, so totally immersed.

Can it be dried out and used. or is it toast?

Bill

 

[the spyder]

Don't risk it. I'm assuming it's a single or double pole 15-30 amp breaker, which means it's under $20 to replace. $20 is not worth a electrical fire because the contacts or internal springs were damaged by rust.

 

[rlitman]

Can it be dried out? Maybe, but I wouldn't risk it.

I've got some breakers here at work that can be several grand each. I'd consider sending one of those out to a place that refurbishes them. If it's something that snaps into the panel in your home, it's disposable.

 

[CNGsaves]

+1 to take a hammer and destroy that water-logged breaker.

That way you won't forget later which one got ruined !!

 

[bczygan]

Got it!

Will do.

Same true of switches and receptacles?

Bill

 

[nadogail]

Got it!

Will do.

Same true of switches and receptacles?

Bill

I think receptacles (not GFCI) and switches could be dried out and salvaged, if the labor involved was cost effective.

 

[rlitman]

I think receptacles (not GFCI) and switches could be dried out and salvaged, if the labor involved was cost effective.

Receptacles, with clean rain water (nothing too corrosive)? Yeah, I'd think about drying them out.
The brass inside will oxidize a little, but it does that in the air too. If the screws are rusty, I'd probably toss it.

Not as comfortable doing that with switches. They'll hold moisture inside for much longer, as they're much more closed in design, and they have steel springs inside.

 

[jhelrey]

I've had numerous electricians and electrical inspectors pass a panel that had water pouring over and through it with nothing replaced.

 

[rlitman]

I've had numerous electricians and electrical inspectors pass a panel that had water pouring over and through it with nothing replaced.

There is a big difference between pouring over, and submerged.

 

[G_P]

Why risk it? The breaker may be perfectly fine, or it may be damaged in a way that it will not trip and could cause a fire.

X2 on what CNG said, Smack it with a hammer or otherwise render it unusable and throw it in the trash.

 

[Norcal]

Residential breakers are too cheap to risk saving it.

 

[simpler=better]

Save the outlets, toss the rest.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Not worth the risk

 

[klassenl]

We had to prepare for flooding situations here a few years ago and one of the bullitens we got told is that once a molded case circuit breaker gets <immersed> it was either toast, or had to be sent to the manufacturer for refurbishment. Getting wet in a box is different than being immersed.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Bill, they are not worth the risk, trash them. You would hate to burn the house down or loose some one who you love to smoke.
Just let go toss them. I know it hurts. but that is part of getting rid of stuff. Richie