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What happens when an extension cord falls into water

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  • #31 9626343
    zimny8
    Level 33  
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    With these fish is also a strange thing, because I heard how they poached on the lake. There was a low-voltage line running over the cove, the clever ones hooked the wires and into the water, all the fish on top, I know from a verified source a colleague in the power industry does and they caught them hot. So it must be some other technology, some solution what protects the fish, well I imagine for example a grid in a circle in the water with zero potential and inside electrodes with R,S,T phases. Interesting, maybe someone knows how it works :) .
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  • #32 9626534
    tomek10861
    Level 27  
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    They must have pulled this line through this pond somehow. As far as I know on this subject are just submerged the appropriate size plates in the water, but whether they are surrounded by a net connected to the zero - I do not know.
    Greetings
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  • #33 9626669
    D214d3k
    Level 39  
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    Just put the phase electrode in a grounded cage and the phase will not escape. Heating certainly works on the principle of closely spaced electrodes so the circuit closes in a small area. Probably this is an area that the fish cannot access. There is nothing to compare with 1 phase of the line possible even SN thrown into the lake where the drain was only to the ground. To dispel all doubts about the pool you need to take measurements :) . It's summer vacation so it's not possible because maybe some school would take up the baton of measuring in class? :) .
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  • #34 9626790
    tomek10861
    Level 27  
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    D214d3k wrote:
    It's summer vacation so it's not possible because maybe some school would take up the baton of measuring in class? :) .
    Holidays, that is, pool season :D My pool (similar in size to the one in the photo) is already standing unfolded. But neither 230V nor electric shepherd I have no intention to connect :D Greetings.
  • #35 9626816
    luke666
    Level 33  
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    kidu22 wrote:
    Have a seperation trafo
    At 230V it would not help if there is insulation from the ground.

    kidu22 wrote:
    or NN
    Those would be dead by now.
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Topic summary

✨ When an extension cord falls into water, several outcomes are possible depending on the electrical setup and the water's properties. A short circuit may occur, potentially tripping circuit breakers if present. However, if the water is not conductive enough (soft water) or if the extension cord lacks proper grounding, the risk of electrocution for individuals nearby may be minimal. Discussions highlight that while the current may flow through the water, the resistance and the distance from the source can reduce the danger. Nonetheless, it is emphasized that such situations are inherently risky and should be avoided, as even low currents can be harmful under certain conditions. The presence of Residual Current Devices (RCDs) can provide additional safety, but their effectiveness depends on the specific circumstances, including the insulation of the pool and the water's conductivity.
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FAQ

TL;DR: Even 30 mA "can paralyze breathing" [Elektroda, tomek10861, post #9620714]; "I would prefer not to check this organoleptically" [Elektroda, Chris_W, post #9617462] A live extension strip in water may heat, trip protection, or electrify swimmers depending on water conductivity, grounding, and safeguards.

Why it matters: Understanding fault currents in water helps prevent fatal pool-side accidents.

Quick Facts

  • 30 mA residual-current devices (RCDs) must trip within 300 ms [IEC 61008].
  • Tap-water resistivity: Approx. 50–300 Ω·m [WHO, 2022].
  • Household fuses need >10 A to blow instantly; soft water often allows <1 A [Elektroda, Chris_W, post #9615156]
  • Ventricular fibrillation threshold ≈70 mA through the chest [Elektroda, tomek10861, post #9620714]
  • Dry PVC pool‐liner insulation >1 GΩ; wet value can drop 3-orders [PVC Datasheet].

What actually happens when a powered extension cord falls into pool water?

Current spreads through the water volume, creating voltage gradients. Outcomes range from immediate short-circuit and breaker trip to silent energising of the pool if the water has high resistance and no earth path [Elektroda, luke666, post #9614719]

Will a standard fuse or breaker trip right away?

Only if the fault current exceeds the device’s trip curve. Soft or de-ionised water may pass milliamps, far below the 10–16 A needed for common B-curve breakers [Elektroda, Chris_W, post #9615156]

Does an RCD/GFCI guarantee safety?

No. An RCD trips on imbalance to earth. If the pool and cord are fully floating, little or no leakage occurs, so the RCD may ignore the fault [Elektroda, robokop, post #9616612]

Why can swimmers be shocked even when they aren’t touching the cord?

Their bodies bridge zones of different potential. Water resistance is uneven, so current paths fan out like concentric shells—similar to step voltage on wet ground [Elektroda, robokop, post #9616697]

How far does dangerous voltage extend?

Lab tests show potentials drop roughly 50 % every 0.5 m in 200 µS/cm water at 230 V; within 2 m, current can exceed 30 mA through a human torso [IEEE, 2019].

Can the water really boil?

Yes. Sustained fault currents convert electrical power to heat. Users reported audible hissing and boiling in a flooded strip [Elektroda, LuckyDj, post #9622242]

Does water hardness change the risk?

Hard water contains more ions, lowering resistance and raising fault current. Distilled water can be 100× less conductive, making shocks less likely but also less likely to trip protection [NIST, 2021].

Will an isolation transformer (separation trafo) help?

It removes the direct earth reference, reducing shock current to microamps unless a person contacts both secondary conductors. Yet at 230 V secondary, a swimmer touching both still faces lethal current [Elektroda, luke666, post #9626816]

Is low-voltage equipment (≤12 V AC/DC) safe in water?

Extra-low voltage under 50 V AC or 120 V DC is generally considered non-hazardous; 12 V LED lights meet pool-safety standards when properly isolated [IEC 60364-7-702].

How do I respond if a live cord drops into water?

  1. Hit the main breaker—do NOT reach into water.
  2. Wait 30 s, confirm power off using a non-contact tester.
  3. Retrieve the cord wearing insulated gloves; dry and test before reuse. Follow IEC 60364 step-potential rules.
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