William Seay
New member
- Location
- Hartford, KY USA
The issue I am experiencing is water in my 200 amp panel in our house. Local power distributor personnel and local electrical contractor has not determined cause or solution. We have determined it is not a leak by opening up around panel and inspection above during heavy rain periods. Condensation is suspected now.
Meter box is fed from underground and is under covered front porch and feeds straight through wall into 200 amp panel inside unheated garage. Wiring feeds upward into attic. Water only appears during 100% humidity raining conditions and is only present at the center neutral lug. Meter box has been observed and slight condensation is sometimes present on the neutral wire only as evidenced by very small drops hanging on the outside of the insulated coated wire. I have sealed the path with silicone through the conduit from meter box to fused 200 amp panel. I have opened the 3" knockout on top of the panel and opened a small cavity above the panel and installed a 3" fan with light bulb for heat above the panel and installed a humidity meter in this cavity directly above the panel. This cavity is closed up with a hinged door but is vented. Blowing air at less than 70% humidity into the panel did not make a difference. Still have small amount of water at the neutral lug. Is it possible for water to condensate under the wire insulation and run down to the bottom of this neutral wire? Trying to find an answer before I pull out all my hair. This issue is present in summer and winter. Could aluminum wire be an issue? Can condensation moisture move along a wire inside the insulation coating?
Any help or conversation with suggestions or ideas to try will be much appreciated. Thank you.
Meter box is fed from underground and is under covered front porch and feeds straight through wall into 200 amp panel inside unheated garage. Wiring feeds upward into attic. Water only appears during 100% humidity raining conditions and is only present at the center neutral lug. Meter box has been observed and slight condensation is sometimes present on the neutral wire only as evidenced by very small drops hanging on the outside of the insulated coated wire. I have sealed the path with silicone through the conduit from meter box to fused 200 amp panel. I have opened the 3" knockout on top of the panel and opened a small cavity above the panel and installed a 3" fan with light bulb for heat above the panel and installed a humidity meter in this cavity directly above the panel. This cavity is closed up with a hinged door but is vented. Blowing air at less than 70% humidity into the panel did not make a difference. Still have small amount of water at the neutral lug. Is it possible for water to condensate under the wire insulation and run down to the bottom of this neutral wire? Trying to find an answer before I pull out all my hair. This issue is present in summer and winter. Could aluminum wire be an issue? Can condensation moisture move along a wire inside the insulation coating?
Any help or conversation with suggestions or ideas to try will be much appreciated. Thank you.
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