Sealing electrical question

Diablos

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So were having a blizzard out here, and wind driven snow can be a real pita. If there's an opening. The wind will push the snow into it.

Well apparently there must be a huge opening near the meter or something, as i had snow in my breaker box last night. Only caught it before i went to bed as it tripped an arc fault breaker.

Where should i be looking to seal, and what do they seal those areas with?
 
Home Depot has a block of electrical seal, looks like a block if C4 or play dough, like plumbing putty.
Find it in the wire nuts area lower shelf.

gardner-bender-grow-room-ventilation-ds-110-64_145.jpg
 
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20190314_095434.jpg Not sure where its coming in from the outside, still to nasty to venture out there.

But its coming through the conduit that carries the main, it was like a hair dryer.

Had to put that rag in there to keep the weather out for the night.

20190314_095256.jpg
 
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Just an empty hole in panel or are wires in there, should have a bushing or clamp.

Could put a plastic leaf bag on outside walk to keep the wind out for now..

 
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Just an empty hole in panel or are wires in there, should have a bushing or clamp.

Could put a plastic leaf bag on outside walk to keep the wind out for now..

Where that rag is the conduit that runs from the meter. Wires for sure in there, was a pucker moment when i pulled the panel and saw all the snow.
 
If it's coming in through the hole with the supply lines then the problem is likely the weather head where the line enters the conduit to the panel. Don't treat the symptom, fix the cause.
 
If it's coming in through the hole with the supply lines then the problem is likely the weather head where the line enters the conduit to the panel. Don't treat the symptom, fix the cause.

Ill give that a look see once this wind dies down
 
Get some Henry’s Roof mastic in a caulking gun and fill up the weatherhead where the wires from the pole enter.
It should have a plastic cover piece in it with 3 knock out holes to do this.

96F9ECF8-4A74-4CE5-9EDB-0F1453D33F4F.jpeg
 
So our electrical is buried, no roof connector like pictured. There is caulk where the conduit goes through the siding into the house.

The only thing i can think of is the coupling that screw to the meter dont look like they have any type of sealant or gasket. Probably not normally a problem, but when the snow is being blow at 60-70mph its getting right in (and this is on the north side of the house, where all the wind comes from).
 
I would not use any spray foam sealants into the pipe, the propellant is combustible.
The GB sealant will plug up the air gap where the rag is at this time.
I agree the gusts forcing the snow past the gap around the meter and getting into the panel.

meter.jpg gb.jpg
 
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@Button Pusher has the correct answer. We call that puddy duct seal.
Take that duct seal and pack it thoroughly around the service wires coming in from the meter base to the breaker panel. (take the rag out first lol)
Duct seal is non conductive and listed for the purpose. But..over time if it's exposed to heat or elements, it will dry up and start to crack. And those service wires will get warm.
To prevent cracking, after you pack in the duct seal, take clear silicone and your finger and cover the duct seal with it. It'll be there long after you aren't.
Ideally, this should be done from the meter base side. Don't do this please. I've cut hundreds of those little tags off the meter base that the power company uses to 'lock out' the meter base. That's not the issue. The meter base is not fused, meaning it will smoke you if you get caught up in it. This should only be done by a competent electrician that knows what to avoid as the meter base is a very confined area to work in.
If you're comfortable working in your breaker panel while it's hot, I'd still recommend using cardboard to cover the energized breakers and bus bars. It's easy to get an elbow on something.
But this is something that you can do if you're careful. Rule #1..don't get shocked! If you would rather use an electrical contractor, this would be a minor service call charge of less than $100.
 
Agree with Friday, use only ONE HAND when you seal that fitting, keep that other hand in your pocket.
You've got over 12" of empty space before the buss connections so work with confidence.
 
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@Button Pusher has the correct answer. We call that puddy duct seal.
Take that duct seal and pack it thoroughly around the service wires coming in from the meter base to the breaker panel. (take the rag out first lol)
Duct seal is non conductive and listed for the purpose. But..over time if it's exposed to heat or elements, it will dry up and start to crack. And those service wires will get warm.
To prevent cracking, after you pack in the duct seal, take clear silicone and your finger and cover the duct seal with it. It'll be there long after you aren't.
Ideally, this should be done from the meter base side. Don't do this please. I've cut hundreds of those little tags off the meter base that the power company uses to 'lock out' the meter base. That's not the issue. The meter base is not fused, meaning it will smoke you if you get caught up in it. This should only be done by a competent electrician that knows what to avoid as the meter base is a very confined area to work in.
If you're comfortable working in your breaker panel while it's hot, I'd still recommend using cardboard to cover the energized breakers and bus bars. It's easy to get an elbow on something.
But this is something that you can do if you're careful. Rule #1..don't get shocked! If you would rather use an electrical contractor, this would be a minor service call charge of less than $100.
This ^^^^. I didn’t notice the state you are in. Sounds like the high winds expected in the Midwest.
 
This ^^^^. I didn’t notice the state you are in. Sounds like the high winds expected in the Midwest.

This is a new one for me, i was like "really" wth is there snow in my breaker panel.

Definitely wont fool with the meter, but ill see if some of that putty where the red arrow is pointing and around the conduit connetions takes care of this.

I wonder if the power company did a crap job of sealing the meter when they installed my transfer switch.
 
I wouldn’t seal from the breaker panel side. You don’t want water pooling up in the conduit and rusting out.
 
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