Continue to Site

Eng-Tips is the largest engineering community on the Internet

Intelligent Work Forums for Engineering Professionals

  • Congratulations The Obturator on being selected by the Eng-Tips community for having the most helpful posts in the forums last week. Way to Go!

Help calculating voltage drop through storm water

etbrown4

Mechanical
Apr 16, 2012
5
Our utility in Va, Dominion Power is locating 3 standard 12.5 or 7.5kv transforners in a residential area, that floods frequently to a depth up to 10' (really) , on a street near my home.

Neighbors are alarmed and want to know that if the transformer shorts, how much voltage might be present, say 100 ft away in the flood water on the road

I've looked into water conductivity and found that 1000 𝜇𝑆/𝑐𝑚 is close enough. I found a chart which converts this into resistance. It might be off but it looks like maybe 3 ohms. Wondering if any kind engineer or electrical whiz might help figure the voltage potential at 100 ft.

We have had swimmers killed recently around boat lifts with a nicked wire on a 120v cable, so this has to be 10x worse, one might think.
Thanks for any help.
 
Last edited:
Replies continue below

Recommended for you

So far it seems Va Power is decling to use Submersible Transformers.
 

Part and Inventory Search

Sponsor