I keep seeing videos of people coming home to a burst pipe or the neighbors above them having a flood. The water pours down from the ceiling and from the light fixtures (lights are on), but the people walking around the house don’t get electrocuted.
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Because if the power is still on then its very unlikely that the water is electocuted 😀
Water tend to blow the fuses real quick.
If the water is not in contact with electrical outlets or appliances, the circuit remains incomplete, preventing electrocution. However, it’s crucial to ensure safety by keeping away from any water and electricity interaction. If you suspect a hazardous situation, it’s best to turn off power and seek professional help.
I knew someone who was electrocuted and died while wading through a flooded house so it certainly can happen.
I used to work in pool maintenance and we had an underwater light for night swimmers that got knocked loosed. It had wiring in it and if you stayed within about 5 feet of it for more than 30 seconds you were likely to get a small jolt. Most people said it just felt like their phone was vibrating on their kidney though.
Electricity disperses pretty widely across water. Even if you have a dangerous bolt of lightning striking a body of water it dissipates very quickly. If you’re swimming in the ocean and lightning strikes you’re likely never gonna be able to tell. It only spreads damage across the top of the water very widely and typically doesn’t transfer more than a short distance down. That’s why you don’t often see just schools of dead fish shocked to death. Though occasionally you do see some if they were near the surface’s edge when lightning struck.
Modern switchboards also have measures to prevent electrical shock and overloading a circuit. IDK how useful that would be if the switchboard were under water though. There is also the case that wires themselves will be insulated so not everything would be in contact with water in a worse case scenario. There are actually special safety measures in electrical circuits for areas where outlets may get wet. Such as the bathroom and kitchen. So water is at least partly accounted for in the design of the home electrical system.
Be careful of heaters on fish tanks. Tiny Crack in the glass of mine and I got a horrid shock when I was cleaning the tank with my hand two feet away. Always unplug power when touching fish tank water. It was filtered fresh water as well.
Alright, let’s break it down step by step:
1. Water conducts electricity, meaning it can carry it like a road.
2. In a flooded house, the water is not pure; it’s mixed with many things, which might reduce its ability to conduct electricity.
3. Not all parts of the house’s electrical system are exposed to water.
4. But, even a small risk is dangerous. So, walking in flooded water with power on is like crossing a street without looking. It’s very unsafe! Always stay away.
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