problems with rubber softening on pump power cords

[dalcazar]

We're treating the wastewater from a raisin production facility, and the first step once it leaves the collection area is to get pumped into a settling tank, where the water is then pumped out by a submersible pump. All the rubber of the power cords to the pumps and the float switches is swelling and failing, can anyone hazard a guess as to what might be causing it and the easiest way to remedy the problem?

My first guess in the rubber problem is alcohol, but does anyone have any other ideas? Also, this is in chile so brand names for products you might suggest might not be the same here such as resistant plastics so please try to go by chemical names and not trade names.

cheers

 

[Artisi]

First up you need to analyse the liquor you are pumping to establish what is causing the problem, once this is established and if you using a well branded submerible pump I would suggest you contact the agent / manufacturer for a recommendation on power cable.