Conduit Fountain

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laketime

laketime

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We have a customer who has a back up generator, installed by another contractor. In the spring as the snow thaws the 2" conduit that feeds from the generator to the transfer switch starts pumping water in the transfer switch. Are there any products that are good at sealing the conduit at the entrance to the transfer switch or what methods have other used to stop this issue.
 
What's the rest of the story? How is the water getting into the conduit? Is it just a sleeve from a direct buried cable? Are there elevation differences causing this?
 
laketime said:
We have a customer who has a back up generator, installed by another contractor. In the spring as the snow thaws the 2" conduit that feeds from the generator to the transfer switch starts pumping water in the transfer switch. Are there any products that are good at sealing the conduit at the entrance to the transfer switch or what methods have other used to stop this issue.
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American Polywater. Here is a link to their sealants page: https://www.polywater.com/product-category/polywater-sealants-selection/
 
In the past we have used potting compound that is typically used for wet niche pool lights.
 
MAC702 said:
What's the rest of the story? How is the water getting into the conduit? Is it just a sleeve from a direct buried cable? Are there elevation differences causing this?
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It is N Idaho and wet ground. There is an elevation difference of about 5 feet. The conduit seems to be a complete run but who knows what is happening underground.
 
If the conduit enters the enclosure from below, you might consider putting a drain fitting on the conduit below the height of the enclosure. The problem will be to do that in a way that is NEC compliant.
 
GoldDigger said:
If the conduit enters the enclosure from below, you might consider putting a drain fitting on the conduit below the height of the enclosure. The problem will be to do that in a way that is NEC compliant.
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How about a T-condulet with a perforated drain cover in the bottom leg?
 
Having experienced a “fountain conduit” myself due to an elevation difference from a pad transformer to house meterbase years ago before “slip riser fittings” existed.

Install a slip riser fitting (not an expansion coupling) it has enough space between sections to allow the water to drain before it reaches the height of your transfer switch. Unless the flow rate is to great.

Also, if memory serves me right the NEC allows up to 1/4” hole to be drilled into equipment to allow for drainage.
 
Breather Kit (SDA Series) - Hammond Mfg.
Look around I typed in electrical enclosure drain, there were other types.
 
Is there standing water around generator and it leaks into conduit, or worse yet into other equipment at the generator end of the run?

I'd try to minimize that first, if you successfully plug the conduit you might only be solving one part of your problem.
 
Quazite box in low spot of underground run near generator, put break in conduit there use endbells on conduit and keep them running straight through, bonding jumper if conduit is mettalic.
 
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