How dangerous it to enter a flooded basement as pertains to electrical shock hazard? My basement flooded when the sump pump failed and there were 4" of water on the floor. The electrical panel is next to the sump pump, so I couldn't just pull the power to the house. I do have rubber boots - are they safe or safer? Should I have had the elec service pull the meter outside?
Miscellaneous
Answers & Comments
Should be safe.
The basement floor is at ground potential. So are you walking through the water.
If the water is deep enough to reach any electrical connections, such as a receptacle or extension cord near or on tbe floor, it will instantly cause a bolted short and trip the circuit breaker (or fuse).
When installing a new sump pump, make absolutely certain its properly grounded and the electrical connection is above the water level.
Hi Stanley, disconnect the power input to the meter, then get an external submersible pump and power it from a Neighbor's connection or use an electricity generator
Release the basement from water, make a visual check of the affected power outlets, replace the pump that failed and then replace the electrical service, verifying the operation of the electrical circuits and the devices connected to them
Greetings Franco Dosil
Hola Stanley, desconecte la entrada de electricidad en el medidor, luego consiga una bomba sumergible externa y alimente la desde la conexi?n de un Vecino o utilice un generador de electricidad
Libere de agua el s?tano, haga una revisi?n visual de los tomas de energ?a afectados, reemplace la bomba que fallo y luego de esto reponga el servicio el?ctrico, verificando el funcionamiento de los circuitos el?ctricos y los artefactos conectados a estos
Saludos Franco Dosil
I'd call pg&e and have the power turned off drain the water then deal with the panel ,safety first!
If d electrical outlet not cover by water it OK..but if it is cover with water u can get electrocuted.