I searched this topic but only found a post specifically about power strips in a few inches of water not shorting out and this is different: My basement was flooded (murky brown water, not salt water) full to the ceiling, with the entire electrical system underwater: the main service line, 2 breaker panels, several outlets, light sockets, and all utilities under water. The power in the neighborhood went out (hurricane) during this flood. A day or so later it came back on and all the electricity started working again, including the sump pump kicking on and ejecting the entire basement of water, like the amount of a pool. A light bulb was even filled with water and still worked (not incandescent; maybe LED?). Not one breaker blew; the whole house worked fine. (everything underwater was replaced regardless)
I’m baffled. Shouldn’t breakers have flipped or shorts happened?
If anyone mentions grounding, I don’t really even grasp that, so please really ELi5, thanks.
In: Physics
If I remember secondary school chemistry, itll be something to do with electrolytes (aka Salt) content of the water and distance between the 2 electical things sticking in the water.
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