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
Netscape. Just the Net You Need.
_______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine
List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
