bubble outlet covers on re siding job

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A project I am at is a remodel of a 3 story apartment that is going under a rehab. I was getting a complaint from the owners about using bubble covers on the porch outlets. They thing they are ugly and will get broken off.
Does code require these as replacements?
 

luckylerado

Senior Member
A project I am at is a remodel of a 3 story apartment that is going under a rehab. I was getting a complaint from the owners about using bubble covers on the porch outlets. They thing they are ugly and will get broken off.
Does code require these as replacements?


406.9

(A) Damp Locations. A receptacle install ed outdoors in a location
protected from the weather or in other damp locations shall
have an enclosure for the receptacle that is weatherproof when
the receptacle is covered (attachment plug cap not inserted and
receptacle covers closed).
An installation suitable for wet locations shall also be considered
suitable for damp locations.
A receptacle shall be considered to be in a location protected
from the weather where located under roofed open porches,
canopies, marquees, and the like, and will not be subjected to
a beating rain or water runoff. All 15- and 20-ampere, 125-
and 250-volt non locking receptacles shall be a listed weather resistant
type.

(B) Wet Locations.
(1) Receptacles of 15 and 20 Amperes in a Wet Location.
Receptacle s of 15 and 20 amperes installed in a wet location
shall have an enclosure that is weatherproof whether or not the
attachment plug cap is inserted. An outlet box hood installed
for this purpose shall be listed and shall be identified as “extra
duty.” All 15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt non locking type
receptacles shall be listed weather-resistant type.

Capture.JPG
 

GoldDigger

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Placerville, CA, USA
Occupation
Retired PV System Designer
There are accordion style covers which do not look as bad when not in use as bubble covers. And they are less subject to accidental damage.
 

petersonra

Senior Member
Location
Northern illinois
Occupation
engineer
406.9

(A) Damp Locations. A receptacle install ed outdoors in a location
protected from the weather or in other damp locations shall
have an enclosure for the receptacle that is weatherproof when
the receptacle is covered (attachment plug cap not inserted and
receptacle covers closed).
An installation suitable for wet locations shall also be considered
suitable for damp locations.
A receptacle shall be considered to be in a location protected
from the weather where located under roofed open porches,

canopies, marquees, and the like, and will not be subjected to
a beating rain or water runoff. All 15- and 20-ampere, 125-
and 250-volt non locking receptacles shall be a listed weather resistant
type.

(B) Wet Locations.
(1) Receptacles of 15 and 20 Amperes in a Wet Location.
Receptacle s of 15 and 20 amperes installed in a wet location
shall have an enclosure that is weatherproof whether or not the
attachment plug cap is inserted. An outlet box hood installed
for this purpose shall be listed and shall be identified as “extra
duty.” All 15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt non locking type
receptacles shall be listed weather-resistant type.

View attachment 13680

So if the porch has a roof no in use (bubble) cover is required.
 

jusme123

Senior Member
Location
NY
Occupation
JW
Inspectors on this forum have mentioned using 45 degree as the angle they use to determine if it is subject to rain under an overhang. :)

what if its mounted next to a flower bed, should we use a sign stating, 'please spray plants at 45 degrees' :p
 

mgookin

Senior Member
Location
Fort Myers, FL
They haven't been to Fl. Rains sideways here.

Also it rains up. I'll shoot some video one day.

On a serious note, can you recess them into the wall? Less obtrusive and less chance of being broken.

Another thing to says is "I need it this way to get you a final inspection so you can have power. What happens later ..."
 

raider1

Senior Member
Staff member
Location
Logan, Utah
Also it rains up. I'll shoot some video one day.

On a serious note, can you recess them into the wall? Less obtrusive and less chance of being broken.

Another thing to says is "I need it this way to get you a final inspection so you can have power. What happens later ..."

I like the Arlington In-Boxes

Chris
 

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mopowr steve

Senior Member
Location
NW Ohio
Occupation
Electrical contractor
I try to use these as much as possible also. Wiring space is limited so don't plan on running more than 2 nm-b cables into them especially with gfci installed.
 

JFletcher

Senior Member
Location
Williamsburg, VA
A project I am at is a remodel of a 3 story apartment that is going under a rehab. I was getting a complaint from the owners about using bubble covers on the porch outlets. They thing they are ugly and will get broken off.
Does code require these as replacements?

I cant remember if it's <3 or 5' roof overhang that requires the bubble covers. A porch that is protected doesnt, at least in VA. Dunno why they'd be getting broken all the time unless someone was ham-fisted with one... oh yeah, forgot that everything commercial has to be as idiot proof as possible.

As far as being "ugly", just mention that an expensive repair bill is "ugly". At least for them. :D
 

peter d

Senior Member
Location
New England
They are ugly, and they will get broken off. If they don't get broken off, the UV will attack the plastic turning them into brittle garbage. Well, they were brittle garbage to begin with so they will only get a lot worse. The good old fashioned snap covers never had these problems.
 

ActionDave

Chief Moderator
Staff member
Location
Durango, CO, 10 h 20 min from the winged horses.
Occupation
Licensed Electrician
They are ugly, and they will get broken off. If they don't get broken off, the UV will attack the plastic turning them into brittle garbage. Well, they were brittle garbage to begin with so they will only get a lot worse. The good old fashioned snap covers never had these problems.
I agree. I call them space helmets. I never saw the need for the change to them.
 

kwired

Electron manager
Location
NE Nebraska
How many people see them actually fully closed when in use so that they actually are used as intended? They are no more effective then the "flip covers" if they are not used correctly.

How often is the cord plugged in heavy enough cord or has a bulky cord cap and it isn't easy to close the cover while in use?

This is about as dumb as the newer raintight EMT fittings, and is a money making thing for manufacturers more then it is a practical product.
 

jap

Senior Member
Occupation
Electrician
I have to weedeat under the one I put in in the back of my house since I have to swing out around it as to avoid hitting it with my riding lawnmower.


JAP>
 
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