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William & Patti Feldman
Water contamination due to rain, floods, broken water pipes and fire can damage or destroy expensive electrical and electronic equipment if the equipment is left untreated, merely to dry out on its own.
Implementing a restoration program that takes advantage of specific chemicals formulated to address wet electrical equipment can significantly reduce the damage and, in many cases, result in complete recovery of the wet equipment, advises Ken Cantwell, Director of Marketing, Industrial Electrical Division, CRC Industries, a manufacturer of electrical cleaners, degreasers, lubricants and other specialty products.
To remove mud, dirt, oil, sludge or other contaminants, an electrician should remove the end bells from electric motors and pumps and covers from switch gear and control panels and flush the equipment with large amounts of clean water. Size and portability permitting, the equipment can be submerged into clean water which is then agitated. Motors and pumps should be stood on end and allowed to drain.
The next step is to saturate the equipment with a moisture displacer, such as CRC 2-26®, agitate the liquid, then remove and allow to drain and dry. CRC 2-26®, which is plastic-safe, also acts as a corrosion inhibiter, lubricant, and penetrant.
Megger readings should be taken to ensure the equipment has regained adequate resistance. If not, applications of both chemicals should be repeated.
When minimum resistance levels are reached, the next step is to spray low voltage contacts with a cleaner designed to remove any dirt particles from the contacts before energizing.
In fact, the equipment could end up operating better than it had been because the restoration cleans and lubricates beyond the extent normal maintenance might have, Cantwell notes.
Photo courtesy of CRC Industries, Inc.
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