[RE-wrenches] raintite box mounting angle

[Conrad Geyser]

We always fill any conduit at the point of building penetrations for air
sealing.  Otherwise in winter, not only will the conduit get house moisture
condensing inside of it, but it will act a a nice thermo siphon for pulling
warm air out of the house...

 

  _____  

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Wind-sun.com
Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2009 11:49 AM
To: jryago at netscape.com; RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] raintite box mounting angle

 

It is almost impossible in a normal installation to get a totally waterproof
enclosure.

 

What you describe with the flooded box is more common than people might
think. 

 

What causes most of that is condensation. Humid air gets sucked into the
enclosure at night or whenever else it cools off. The water then condenses
inside. Next day, the box heats up again and the air expands a bit again,
but the water has already condensed and cannot get out.

 

That is why the weep hole as you noted is mandatory, especially in areas
with high humidity. But we have seen this even in the desert regions of
Arizona and CA, so it can happen anyplace over long periods of time.

 

............................................................................
......................
Northern Arizona Wind & Sun - Electricity From The Sun Since 1979
Solar Discussion Forum: http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/
............................................................................
......................

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Jeff Yago <mailto:jryago at netscape.com>  

To: kirk at vtsolar.com ; RE-wrenches
<mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>  

Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2009 8:40 AM

Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] raintite box mounting angle

 


I am getting more convinced that there is no such thing as a water-tight
electrical enclosure, regardless of gasket covers and sealed openings.  We
always drill a very small "weep-hole" in the bottom of an enclosure.   We
have found this is too small to allow insects to enter, but will drain any
leaks or moisture that gets condensed into a liquid.  I was recently called
by the owner of a large pole mounted array (that was installed by another
firm ) when the system stopped working and the originally installer was long
gone.   I absolutely swear to you that when I pulled the covers off several
electrical junctions boxes, water POURED out of the enclosures!   I am not
talking about wet, I am saying about a quart of water was being held inside
each enclosure by their water-proof gasketed covers.  Needless to say, all
of the electrical terminals and wire connectors inside these junction  boxes
were badly corroded.

 

I know they make totally water-proof electrical equipment for under-water
applications, but have found most outdoor rated electical enclosures will
get some water inside and that includes under-ground conduit.   Take some
advice and regardless of mounting orientation, drill a small weep-hole in
the bottom if there is not one provided by the manufacturer.

 

Jeff Yago

DTI Solar

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org/attachments/20090826/ae58177d/attachment-0003.html>