Is it ok for a 220v transformer immersed in water

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the safety and functionality of a 220v transformer that was accidentally submerged in water. Participants explore the implications of powering the transformer after it has been wet, considering factors such as drying methods, water purity, and electrical safety.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires whether the transformer would still work after being submerged and dried in the sun.
  • Another suggests that the coated wires should not have rusted, but recommends rinsing out any dirt if the water was not clean.
  • A different participant emphasizes the importance of conducting a leakage test to ensure the transformer is dry and free of conductive residues.
  • Some participants share personal experiences with submerged electrical devices, noting that certain devices are designed to operate underwater while others are not.
  • There is a discussion about the conductivity of water, with some arguing that even distilled water can conduct electricity enough to pose a risk.
  • One participant mentions that the transformer’s insulation should protect it, and that it could be safe to power it up if it is properly dried.
  • Another participant expresses concern about the potential for circuit breakers to trip if the transformer is powered underwater.
  • A later reply claims that operating transformers under water for cooling purposes is acceptable, provided that the transformer is not shorted or heavily loaded.
  • Finally, one participant reports successfully powering up the transformer after it was submerged, indicating it functioned normally.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the safety and functionality of powering a submerged transformer. While some suggest it may be safe under certain conditions, others caution against the risks involved. No consensus is reached regarding the best practices for handling the situation.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various assumptions about water purity, transformer design, and electrical safety, which may not be universally applicable. The discussion includes anecdotal evidence and personal experiences that may not reflect broader electrical safety standards.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals dealing with electrical equipment in wet environments, those curious about the safety of submerged electrical devices, and participants in DIY electrical projects.

chrisalviola
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I accidentally left a 220v transformer outside the house and somehow it flooded outside and left the transformer underwater, Would this thing still work if I let it under the sun for maybe 2-3 days and power it up again? any suggestions?

the transformer I had is like this
http://www.torontosurplus.com/par/DATA4719.JPG"
 
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Should be ok, the wire is coated so shouldn't have rusted.
If it wasn't clean rainwater you might want to rinse out any sediment/dirt etc with fresh water and of course leave it to dry before using it.
 
You would want to do a leakage test on this.
1) To make sure it is dry.
2) If sediment/dirt was involved that there are no conductive paths to the frame from residue that you might have missed cleaning up..
 
it's not totally relavent (your transformer wasn't designed to be underwater, so you do need to dry it out very well, and be very careful when you first energize it after drying) but i have a sump pump in my home in Vermont with 120 volts going into the pump motor which is often completely submerged. it gives me the willies to see this big-ass power cord going into this hole full of water, but that's the way it was meant to work.
 
You can always speed up the drying process by placing it in a warm oven (150F) for a few hours.

- Warren
 
rbj said:
it's not totally relavent (your transformer wasn't designed to be underwater, so you do need to dry it out very well, and be very careful when you first energize it after drying) but i have a sump pump in my home in Vermont with 120 volts going into the pump motor which is often completely submerged. it gives me the willies to see this big-ass power cord going into this hole full of water, but that's the way it was meant to work.

yes but I remembered an experiment when I was in high school we placed electrical probes on this glass of water with & without salt and the salt solution conducted current. maybe if its plain water with no salt its ok to power it?
 
chrisalviola said:
yes but I remembered an experiment when I was in high school we placed electrical probes on this glass of water with & without salt and the salt solution conducted current. maybe if its plain water with no salt its ok to power it?

no. even distilled water conducts enough that i wouldn't want to put one 220 volt wire in a bucket with distilled water and my foot while I'm holding the other wire.

it worked because the sump pump and the electrical cable between the plug and pump were very well, hermetically sealed. even submerged in water, the electrical components that needed to be dry were dry.
 
rbj said:
no. even distilled water conducts enough that i wouldn't want to put one 220 volt wire in a bucket with distilled water and my foot while I'm holding the other wire.

it worked because the sump pump and the electrical cable between the plug and pump were very well, hermetically sealed. even submerged in water, the electrical components that needed to be dry were dry.

I was a little confused in my thermodynamics class when the professor was running current through a heating copper coil that was submerged in a beaker of water to boil it.
 
The copper is a very good conductor so the electricity is more likely to flow through the copper than take a short-circuit through the water.

The voltage of the water would be raised to that of the copper, but as he was probably running the copper coil from a low voltage dc supply that isn't a problem.
If you put a 120/240V AC powered coil in the water it would work but you could get a shock from the water - that's why kettle elements are inside grounded steel pipes.
 
  • #10
mgb_phys said:
The copper is a very good conductor so the electricity is more likely to flow through the copper than take a short-circuit through the water.

The voltage of the water would be raised to that of the copper, but as he was probably running the copper coil from a low voltage dc supply that isn't a problem.
If you put a 120/240V AC powered coil in the water it would work but you could get a shock from the water - that's why kettle elements are inside grounded steel pipes.

hmm, powering up a 220v transformer underwater? won't that trip the circuit breakers? have you done that sort of experiment before?
 
  • #11
chrisalviola said:
hmm, powering up a 220v transformer underwater? won't that trip the circuit breakers? have you done that sort of experiment before?

If the water is very pure (mOhms per cm) and you don't introduce contaminants with the transformer, you could do it.
 
  • #12
You don't really need to dry it off. I operate transformers of the higher voltage variety under water intermittently for cooling. It won't harm the transformer because, as someone previously mentioned, the transformer is of lower resistance than the water, so. unless you do something like short the transformer secondary or attach a very heavy load, the electricity will flow through the transformer rather than the water. Additionally, ever part of a transformer, except to input/output connectors is insulated. So just dry off the lugs and power up. The transformer will be fine.

-Clive Hansen
 
  • #13
just powered it up and it worked same as if it were dry. tnks all.
 

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