Water is a life-giving force. However, it transforms into a relentless adversary when it meets electrical equipment. Its infiltration into circuits and components leads to malfunctions and hazards. 

Then there's fire risk. Damaged insulation raises the possibility of electrical problems such as arcing, sparking, and equipment damage. Intense heat and sparks produced by arcing can ignite flammable materials or harm neighboring components.

Electrical equipment plays an indispensable role in powering our modern world. However, when natural disasters strike, and Storm Disaster Recovery Services are needed, one of the most formidable adversaries electrical systems face is flooding and the fires that often follow. 

 

Water Infiltrates and Corrodes Electrical Panels

When floodwaters surge into buildings, they bring with them not just physical destruction, but also a stealthy infiltration into spaces that house electrical systems. Electrical panels, wiring, circuits, and components that are supposed to remain dry suddenly find themselves submerged in water. This initial contact can lead to corrosion of metal parts, compromising the conductivity and safety of electrical connections.

Floodwaters create pathways between live conductors and grounding elements, and electrical short circuits become an imminent threat. These short circuits lead to immediate power failures, tripped circuit breakers, and, in the worst-case scenario, electrical fires. The combination of water and electrical currents can generate sparks and intense heat, igniting flammable materials and amplifying the scale of destruction.

 

Compromised Electrical Insulation: A Recipe for Disaster

Floodwaters have an insidious way of breaching insulation barriers that are meant to protect wiring and electrical components. When water breaches this insulation, it can lead to arcing and sparking between live conductors. Not only would this endanger the equipment, but it would also increase the risk of electrical shock to anyone in proximity.

Flood-induced damage means operational downtime, disrupted services, and a staggering economic toll. You’re left grappling with power outages, leading to halted production lines, communication breakdowns, and financial losses.

Let's explore each of these consequences in greater detail, shedding light on the extent damaging floods can inflict on two pillars of electrical equipment: MCC Centers and Electrical Panels.

 

9 Risks Storms and Flooding Have on Your MCC

Motor Control Centers play a critical role in controlling and managing electric motors in industrial and commercial settings, making them susceptible to various flood-related hazards. Consider the following damage floods can inflict on MCCs and Industrial Control and Automation Products:

 

Water Ingress: Floodwaters can infiltrate MCC enclosures, leading to water immersion of critical components. Water ingress can cause short circuits, corrosion, and electrical malfunctions in MCC components such as motor starters, contactors, relays, and circuit breakers.  Conductive floodwater can bridge connections, leading to electrical faults, circuit damage, and equipment failure.

Corrosion and Contamination: Floodwaters often contain contaminants, debris, and pollutants that can corrode metal components within MCCs. Plus, corrosion compromises the integrity of electrical connections, potentially resulting in increased resistance, overheating, and reduced operational lifespan of MCC components.

Insulation Breakdown:  Water penetration can compromise insulation materials, leading to decreased dielectric strength and increased risk of electrical arcing or short circuits. Eventually, insulation breakdown will cause electrical faults, leading to motor failures and potential fire hazards.

Motor Damage and Dysfunction: Floodwaters can infiltrate motor control circuits, affecting motor starters and variable frequency drives (VFDs). Submerged motors can experience internal damage due to water contamination and electrical shorts. This will lead to motor control component malfunction, improper motor control, reduced efficiency, and potential motor burnout.

Grounding and Safety Hazards: Floodwater can create hazardous grounding conditions, leading to electric shock risks for personnel working near or interacting with MCCs. Next, Improper grounding due to water exposure can lead to unpredictable equipment behavior and compromised safety measures.

Control System Disruption: Flood damage to MCCs can disrupt control systems, affecting automated processes and operations. Then, the loss of motor control can lead to operational downtime, production delays, and financial losses for businesses.

Electrical Fire Risk: Water infiltration into MCCs increases the risk of short circuits and electrical arcing, potentially igniting fires within the equipment. The electrical fires pose a severe threat to both MCCs and the surrounding infrastructure.

Electronic Component Failure: Floodwater can damage electronic components within MCCs, including control boards, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and communication devices. When these electronic components fail, you can expect data loss, compromising communications, and extended downtime for repairs.

Long-Term Effects: Even after floodwaters recede, residual moisture and contaminants can continue to corrode and degrade MCC components over time. Any of the above damages can lead to intermittent issues, unreliable operation, and higher maintenance costs.

In the end, floods can cause extensive damage to electrical motor control centers, impacting equipment functionality, safety, and operational efficiency. Mitigating these risks requires proactive flood prevention measures, proper equipment elevation, robust enclosure designs, effective sealing techniques, and a thorough assessment of damage post-flood for timely repairs or replacements.

 

Electrical Panelboard Damage from Storm Flooding and Fires

 

Floods and fires can cause severe damage to Power Distribution Products, especially electrical panelboards, also known as distribution boards or breaker panels, leading to significant safety hazards, operational disruptions, and costly repairs. These crucial components distribute electricity to various circuits and devices within residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Here's an outline of the damage floods can do to electrical panelboards:

Water Infiltration and Corrosion: Floodwaters can infiltrate panelboards, leading to immersion of electrical components, conductors, and connections. Water exposure accelerates corrosion of metal parts, including bus bars, terminals, and wiring. This results in corroded components having increased resistance, heat generation, and poor conductivity, potentially causing overheating and equipment failure.

Electrical Shorts and Circuits: Floodwater can create conductive paths between live conductors, neutral wires, and ground, leading to electrical shorts and circuits. Short circuits can cause immediate power disruptions, tripped circuit breakers, and potential damage to connected devices.

Insulation Damage:  Water ingress compromises the insulation integrity of wires, cables, and electrical components within the panelboard. Damaged insulation increases the risk of arcing, sparking, and electrical faults, possibly leading to fires or equipment damage.

Grounding Issues: Floodwaters disrupt proper grounding systems, affecting the ability to safely dissipate fault currents. Even worse, as a personnel safety issue, poor grounding increases the risk of electric shock hazards for people working with the panelboard.

Component Malfunction: Submerged circuit breakers, relays, switches, and other components can malfunction due to water exposure. Malfunctioning components don’t provide proper protection, leading to overheating, fires, or equipment damage.

Fire Hazard: Damaged insulation increases the risk of arcing, sparking, and electrical faults that may lead to fires or equipment damage. Arcing generates intense heat and sparks that can ignite flammable materials or damage nearby components.

Control System Disruption: Flood damage to panelboards disrupts the electrical distribution system, affecting connected circuits, devices, and equipment. The power distribution loss can lead to operational downtime, affecting productivity and critical systems.

Safety Risks: Flooded panelboards pose significant safety risks to personnel attempting to assess or restore power. Water and electrical components create an environment conducive to electric shock, leading to potential injuries or fatalities.

Post Flooding Electrical Hazards:  Even after floodwaters recede, residual moisture and contaminants can remain within panelboards, continuing to corrode and degrade components. Unaddressed damage can result in intermittent problems, reduced equipment lifespan, and higher maintenance costs.

All this means extensive and lasting damage to electrical panelboards, compromising their functionality and safety. Preventative measures, such as elevating panelboards above flood-prone areas, waterproof enclosures, and regular inspections, are essential to mitigate flood-related risks. In the aftermath of a flood, thorough assessments, repairs, and replacements are necessary to ensure safe and reliable electrical distribution systems.

 

Disaster Recovery Solutions for Electrical Damage to Motor Controls Centers and Panel Distribution

Throughout the entire process, it's essential to prioritize safety, follow electrical codes and standards, and consider the specific requirements of the application to ensure a well-designed and functional electrical equipment. If you're not experienced with electrical work, consulting with qualified experts is recommended.  The following outlines the steps in building/rebuilding MCC and Panelboard equipment. 

 

Rebuilding/Building a Motor Control Center Services

Gather Specifications and Components

Mounting the Components

Electrical Wiring

Motor Starters and Overload Protection

Install Transformer and Power Distribution

Control Devices

Labeling and Marking

Testing and Quality Check

Electrical Final Inspection and Documentation

Installation and Commissioning

 

Rebuilding/Building Panelboard Services

Design and Planning

Gather Materials and Components

Assembly

Labeling and Identification

Testing

Inspection and Approval

Final Installation

Restore Power

 

In a clash of elements, water's intrusion into the world of wires and currents spells trouble. Fire often follows. Corrosion, short circuits, and compromised insulation – these are the tumultuous consequences that remind us of the delicate dance between electricity and unforgiving natural disasters.

Need help recovering after a storm? All Current Disaster Recovery services are here to help.