Correcting Leaking Connections in 120 Volt Power to Fountain Submersible Pump:
The Problem:
After several months of operation, fountain pump tripped the GFI (Ground Fault Interrupt) repeatedly.
UL Listed connectors had been used in the
connections for the fountain. Rechecking the original “waterproof connectors”, I found the following text on connector package:
DRYCONN ®
WATERPROOF
CONNECTIONS
CONTECTADORES
IMPERMERABLES
Outdoor
Para exteriors
Great
for: Outdoor Lighting
Receptacles and switches
On the back is says:
TEMPERATURE RATING
105° C(221° F)
SILICONE SEALANT
TEMPERATURE -45° F to 400° F
APPLICATION:
600V maximum building wire: 1000V maximum
signs or luminaries. Copper to Copper only. Do not use on
Aluminum wire.
UL 486D Listed as a sealant wire connector
system.
For use in damp, wet, raintight
and submersible locations.
Not to be used in continuous submersion applications.
Wow, did you see that last line buried at the end of the fine print?
Here is what I did to correct the situation. It is a “work around”, a fix without calling in a licensed electrician. If you use this method of repair, do so at your own risk. Do not leave a system turned on in your absence. Monitor it while in operation.
Photos:
1. Standard “water proof” connectors
2. Connection which failed. Connectors were certainly not “Waterproof” as claimed.
3. Awesome Goo applied to one side and bottom of failed connection. Note the glossy surfaces. It is very important to seal the bottom where the two wires enter the connectors.
4. One side of connection heated until glossy surface changed to “flat” or dull appearance.
5. Same side after heating. Notice the glossy surface is now flat or dull.
6. Awesome Goo applied to opposite surface of connection.
After applying Awesome Goo, the opposite surface was heated until the surface was flat or dull.
The fountain was reassembled, filled with water and placed back into service with no further GFI interrupts.
I’m very happy to have the fountain up and working againJ