Water Is Leaking From the End of a Stranded Copper Wire

Water Damage

• Household wiring designed for use in dry conditions needs replacement after a thorough soaking from flooding, severe plumbing problems or fire-fighting systems. Older homes might contain wiring without a water-resistant cover, and outdated fiber insulation in old wiring loses electrical resistance when wet.

  Wire conductors corrode and fail faster when exposed to water, and just allowing wiring to dry often won't fix the problem. Even plastic insulation in house wiring can weaken if saturated with water and might develop cracks that increase shock hazards. Any time electrical wiring suffers water damage, ask a licensed electrician to inspect the house wiring before restoring power.

Wiring Types

• Wires designed for wet locations, such as metal-clad liquid-tight cables laid in masonry construction, can survive immersion without damage if the waterproof sheath stays intact and the ends stay above water. Water-soaked wiring of this type might be restored to safe use, but only a certified electrician should make that determination.

  Whether the cable needs replacement also depends on the contaminants the water carried. Clean water causes less damage than floodwater or waste water carrying oil and chemicals. Some electrical insulation that survives exposure to water can degrade quickly when exposed to oil, and many chemicals accelerate copper corrosion.

Appliances

• Any water-soaked appliances, including plumbing fixtures such as hot water heaters, need inspection and repair by an expert before being put back in service. Thorough cleaning and drying won't restore an appliance to safe working condition, according to the Electrical Safety Authority.

  Fuses, circuit breakers and switches inside an appliance might not work correctly because of corroded contacts or if dirt and sand invaded critical parts. Stranded wire is frequently use in power cords because of its ability to flex without damage. Water dripping from the power cord of a used appliance might mark flood-damaged goods with serious hidden problems.

Other Problems

• Conduits don't always protect wiring from water damage. Sewage and floodwater can enter electrical conduits through gaps at fittings. After removing damaged wires, electricians should check the conduits for contaminating residues before installing new wiring, according to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

  Conduits damaged by chemicals and oils might not protect wiring from other hazards. Water causes so many problems with electrical wiring and electrical components that all safety devices such as fuses, surge protectors and circuit breakers need replacement if water soaked. Don't trust any water-damaged electrical safety device to work properly, and consider any wet electrical wire a shock hazard.