On Jun 25, 2:46*pm, "bob" wrote:
snip
Alternately, is there a switch to cut off power to computers or other
devices when it senses water? This would reduce short-circuits caused by
water when the device is powered.

Yes the switch you are asking about is called a shunt trip. It's name
comes from the shunting of some of a breakers current to a solenoid
inside the breaker that trips the breaker to the tripped position even
though the current flow has not exceeded the breaker's rating. The
shunt switch can take many forms including a manually operated push
button. Automatic shunt trips are now required in elevator machine
rooms and shafts in order to avoid any erratic operation that might be
caused by sprinkler discharge effecting the elevator controls. That
is needed because indoor elevator controls are not built to be
waterproof. These use a heat detector to shunt the current to the
solenoid and trip the breaker. The heat detector used has a lower
actuation temperature than the sprinkler heads used in those spaces.

That said I believe you would find the cost of parts and installation
a large price to pay for a scenario that is not likely. Keep in mind
that smoke can do as much damage to delicate electronics as water so
suppressing the fire quickly; which is an automatic sprinkler systems
reason for existence; will do much to raise the chance of successful
salvage of the electronics you are trying to protect.
--
Tom Horne