sodonnell Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 Here is an example of not having something watertight when it needs to be. Click to Enlarge 58.07 KB Click to Enlarge 70.46 KB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 Looks like a 2 gang weatherproof box with 2 single-gang wall switches installed. Not shown is the cover. What happened? Cover was missing? I think it's important to mention, if this is the case, that the voltage on these switches was 277 V, which is the voltage available between a hot wire and the balanced neutral of a 3 phase, 480/277 V service (if memory serves me correctly). That higher voltage is much less forgiving of water intrusion than 120. Marc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sodonnell Posted January 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 It wasn't weatherproof! They had washed down the area, and directly sprayed the box with water. When the breaker kicked an inexperienced electrician reset the breaker witout checking what had happened. Had this been in a house, I think it would have burned to the ground. As it was in a factory and the wall was fire retardent there was no other damage. As for the switch, it melted the center. Service was from 277 and there were three switches installed. You are correct on the voltage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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