I am trouble shooting a 20 amp breaker that feeds 11 light poles. It's 277 volt, draws 8 amps, after in rush. Controlled by a photocell/contactor with a bypass. It has been raining consistently and have found that all j boxes at the poles do not have wp gaskets (they do now) and have been getting water (in most). The circuit only trips at night, after it has been on for a considerable amount of time. I'm going to open 2 j boxes at a time, separate the wires, read resistance (to ground) and document (looking for insulation break down). Then I'm going to clean the wires (with salt and vinegar solution) and resplice with the wire nuts with that stuff inside designed to protect splice in exterior applications. My question(s)?
Am I on the right track? What happens to current draw in the hot conductor when it's subjected to underground conduit filled with water? If the wire nut connection has water in it, will that cause the current to increase, eventually tripping the breaker?
Am I on the right track? What happens to current draw in the hot conductor when it's subjected to underground conduit filled with water? If the wire nut connection has water in it, will that cause the current to increase, eventually tripping the breaker?