wet cables

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jimbo123

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Is it practible to use sumps to wpump auto in underground vaults that fill with water ? I am sure there is water in the conduit before and after the vault too . Can this help in aiding and preventing the deterorating of the cable ?
 
I am not sure that water is a problem with wire rated for wet location although there does seem to be a difference between marine wire and wet location. I have seen TW wire used in wells-- not sure that is done anymore as UF seems to be the ticket now.

I agree a sump pump is a good idea for the vault.
 
The reason i ask this question it doesn't seem right that energized wires are under water for who knows how long and does it cause problems
 
jimbo123 said:
The reason i ask this question it doesn't seem right that energized wires are under water for who knows how long and does it cause problems
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energized wires are in water all the time. Power companies direct bury cables and wires rated with a "W" in the insulation type are suitable for wet location.

Is wet location suited for immersion in water???? I think so but am not certain.
 
At the industrial plant I often work at they have 20,000+ feet of underground 5kV distribution in duct banks. Before they put sump pumps in the manholes, I was replacing about one cable section a year. About 15 years ago they put pumps in all of the manholes and I have only replaced one cable section since then. There may be other reasons, but I think a big part is not having the cables under water all the time.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
At the industrial plant I often work at they have 20,000+ feet of underground 5kV distribution in duct banks. Before they put sump pumps in the manholes, I was replacing about one cable section a year. About 15 years ago they put pumps in all of the manholes and I have only replaced one cable section since then. There may be other reasons, but I think a big part is not having the cables under water all the time.
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This makes sense to me. My experience has seen many more cable failures in immersed applications as opposed to just wet applications. :)
 
I suspect the minerals in the soil that leech into the conduit may be bad for the insulation if the insulation is failing. As I stated before they do make marine wire for a reason.

I am surprised that the insulation, that Don talked about, failed so quickly.
 
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