Submersible 480v pump w/out ground

[johnhagaman]

submersible 480v pump w/out ground!

I came across a 480vac submersible pump (70hp) that was not grounded. This lead me to a question about water and electricity. If the motor lead (one of them) insulation had been damaged and the conductor came in contact with the water, what would be the result? This is not pure water, but fairly dirty so it would probably be a good conductor. My fear is that the water may remain at a high potential (as long as the resistance was high enough to not trip the breaker), thus leading to a possible electrocution if somebody was to come in contact with the water.

 

[anorlunda]

It would most likely make a short circuit at the bottom of the well, so that people on top would not be endangered.

However, submersible pumps are double insulates, and well shielded for the application, so the effects of leakage current are negligible.