This article discusses if electricity can be seen in the water. When it comes to pool safety, you also need to consider the danger of electric shock. An electric shock can be strong enough to cause death by electrocution or death by drowning. But how can you determine if there is electricity in the pool? Can electricity be seen in water? Let us find out more about this topic below.
Can you see electricity in water? Electricity cannot be seen in the water. The presence of electrical voltage in water is invisible, so it is important that you always check the water for voltage before swimming. Fortunately, there are devices that you can use to determine if there is electricity in the pool water.
Water and electricity can create dangerous paths of electrical current. Exposure to electrical current can lead to a wide range of injuries from minor tingling to severe burns and even death. This is why it is important that you need to take the necessary precautions to make sure that your pool is safe from any kind of electrical danger.
Can You See Electricity?
Generally, Electricity cannot be seen. Like gravity, electricity is an invisible force that is only recognized when it acts on other objects. In the case of electricity, the usual way that it affects objects is by charging electrons. The electrons are so small and once they are charged, they move quickly which makes them invisible to the human eye.
How Can You Tell if Electricity is in Water?
To tell if there is electricity in the water, you can use devices that can be purchased on the market which are made specifically for this task. One of the devices that you can use is Shock Alert. The device will test the water for voltage and will determine if there is a presence of electricity in the water. If it device beeps and flashes red, it means that there is electricity in the water. On the other hand, if the device flashes green, it means that there no electricity detected. You can also check out this article that talks about how to test pool water for electricity. Read the article for helpful tips and information on how to detect electricity in pool water.
What Happens When Electricity Touches Water?
If electricity touches the water, it can be become charged. This is because water is an excellent conductor of electricity. If you get in contact with the water that is charged with electricity, you can become the electricity’s path to the ground. Meaning, electricity would travel through the water, through you, and to the ground.
Can Electrified Water Kill You?
Electrified water can kill you. On the other hand, the effect of electricity on the body depends on the specific path that the current takes as it travels through the body and the characteristics of the body of a person. Take note that a large amount of current can kill a person through burns. However, a smaller amount of current can kill a person if it flows directly through the heart.
What Happens When You Mix Water and Electricity?
Water can conduct electricity but it is not an electrical conductor. On the other hand, the impurities that are suspended in water like minerals and dust can become possible conductors. When these impurities get in contact with electricity, it becomes charged.
✅ Video – Don’t Mix Electricity and Water! TKOR Experiments What Happens With Electricity in Water!
TKOR shared the video below on YouTube. In the video, an experiment is done with water and electricity. High water and high voltage are mixed together to show the result of the electricity experiment. Watch the video below to find out what the outcome is.
Dangers of Water and Electricity
Water is an electrical insulator in its purest form. This means that it cannot be able to conduct electricity or even allow current to flow through it. On the other hand, the danger is with the components that are dissolved in water like the presence of ions. While pure water does not conduct electricity, it does not come naturally. Take note that most of the water that use with every day which includes tap water or bottled drinking water contains ions from different sources. In their natural state, ion particles are electrically charged and are considered a good conductor of electricity. These particles turn water into a natural electrolyte which enables current to pass through if there is an electric voltage. However, pure or distilled water does not contain ions and will not be able to conduct electricity.
Underwater Pool Lights and Shock Danger
When it comes to the danger of electricity in pools, a lot of people would worry about their underwater pool lights. Pool lights are an important device when it comes to lighting the pool during the night. On the other hand, the presence of underwater pool lights would also you and those who are swimming at your pool at risk of electric shock. This is why it is very important that you follow all the guidelines when it comes to installing pool lights in and around your pool area.
Pool lights can be very safe when installed properly. Through the years, low voltage lights are becoming more in demand to consumers. As a matter of fact, many underwater lighting systems have 12-volts. On the other hand, many pool lights still run on 120-volt power. These kinds of lights are usually used in a commercial or residential electrical system. It is best that you hire the services of a professional electrician when installing the lights. Also, make sure that your pool is properly grounded and bonded. We have also shared this article titled; can a pool light electrocute you? Check out the article for more information about the topic.
How to Minimize the Risk of Pool Electrocution
Upgrading your pool lights, inspecting your pool, and keeping electrical devices away from the pool are some of the things that you can do to minimize the risk of pool electrocution. Moreover, the best way that you can do to prevent electrical accidents is to ensure that your swimming pool is in good working order. Below are tips on how to minimize the risk of pool electrocution.
Improve Pool Lighting
Among the greatest risk of electrical accidents comes from having old pool lights. Old pool lights are at a higher risk of getting damaged. Check your lights and replace the old ones with new lighting that adheres to modern safety standards. By doing this, you can rest assured that the new lights are less likely to malfunction because of age.
Regular Pool Inspection
Make sure that you regularly check every area of your pool that has an electrical device attached to it. If you are in the process of building a pool, see to it that you carefully inspect all electrical components that will be installed on the pool. Older pools should be inspected regularly for any repair and maintenance. Pool inspection will enable you to determine the possible damages in your pool electrical system that should be repaired immediately.
Hire Professional Electricians
Rather than doing DIY jobs, it is best that you let professional electricians handle the electrical components in your pool. This is especially true if you are not that familiar with electrical wirings. While there are many tutorials that you watch, it is recommended that you hire an electrician with extensive knowledge and experience for a safe and proper installation.
Do Not Use Electrical Devices in Pools
It is recommended that you keep electrical devices and cords at least five feet away from the pool. Do not put a radio or CD player anywhere near the pool because it can slip and fall into the water. Electric devices, especially those that are plugged into a cord can cause electrocution when they get in contact with water. Moreover, watch out for extension cords that may be damaged.
Look Out for Faulty Equipment
Always be on the lookout for faulty equipment in your pool before you let people swim on it. Check if the pool lights that are flickering or just performing erratically. Make sure that all electrical wiring is connected and is not frayed. If you notice any wiring out of place, shut down the power and have the wiring repaired immediately.
Be Ready for Possible Accidents
You also need to be ready for anything that can happen. In case of electrocution or any pool accidents, the first tendency is to panic which makes it almost impossible to think clearly during such situations. Make sure that you have a plan for such situations so that you can do the right thing without thinking.
What Causes Pool Electric Shock?
The common causes of pool electric shocks are faulty electrical wiring of pool equipment lights and filters, the pool does not have GFCI protection for the circuits and outlets, and electrical appliances and extension cords that fall into the water.
Are Indoor Pools Safer?
An indoor pool can be exposed to the same electrical danger as the outdoor pool. You need to still take the necessary precautions for your indoor pool as you would in an outdoor pool. These precautions include not using electrical devices in the pool, inspecting the lights and other electrical equipment, and keeping extension cords away from the pool. You can also check out this article that discusses what happens if a pool is not grounded. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed if you can see electricity in the water. We have found out that electricity is invisible and cannot be seen in the water. However, there are devices that you can use to test the presence of electricity in the water. We have also shared tips on how to prevent pool electrocution. Thank you for reading!