406-8 a &b

[gregoryelectricinc]

I live and work in a large area and perform work in several different municipalities. I am currently trying to convince one of these inspection depts. that 120 volt 15amp outlet installed outdoors under a "covered" porch does NOT need the controversial in-use cover. The overhang on porch is 10'. The way I and all other inspectors i've spoken with interpret the code, this outlet is clearly in a "damp" location. Any comments or similar experiences?

 

[noxx]

Re: 406-8 a &b

My only comment is that I agree with you, it's a damp, not wet, location. However, the local authority always does have the final say, whether or not they make a terrible amount of sense (stainless steel ground rods anyone?). It's often best to simply humor them.

-Noxx

 

[electricmanscott]

Re: 406-8 a &b

The local authority does not always have the final say. Give me a break! If you work in an area that has addopted the NEC than the ahj can not change the rules to suit their whims. Unless of course you guys let them. Here's how you convince this dope. Show him a code book! It actually says "Under roofed open porches" is a damp location thus requiring only a weatherproof cover.

 

[hurk27]

Re: 406-8 a &b

Just incase you dont have you copy just print this

Location, Damp. Locations protected from weather and not subject to saturation with water or other liquids but subject to moderate degrees of moisture. Examples of such locations include partially protected locations under canopies, marquees, roofed open porches , and like locations, and interior locations subject to moderate degrees of moisture, such as some basements, some barns, and some cold-storage warehouses.


Location, Dry. A location not normally subject to dampness or wetness. A location classified as dry may be temporarily subject to dampness or wetness, as in the case of a building under construction.


Location, Wet. Installations under ground or in concrete slabs or masonry in direct contact with the earth; in locations subject to saturation with water or other liquids, such as vehicle washing areas; and in unprotected locations exposed to weather.

 

[eprice]

Re: 406-8 a &b

Originally posted by hurk27:
Location, Damp. Locations protected from weather and not subject to saturation with water or other liquids but subject to moderate degrees of moisture. Examples of such locations include partially protected locations under canopies, marquees, roofed open porches , and like locations, and interior locations subject to moderate degrees of moisture, such as some basements, some barns, and some cold-storage warehouses.

Well, this brings to mind a question that I have been puzzling over for a while concerning this subject. Notice the definition uses the words "...such locations include partially protected locations under canopies, marquees, roofed open porches...". Clearly (to me at least) a receptacle that is located 6 ft. down from the porch roof and only 2 inches inside the covered area is not protected. Rain very seldom falls straight down. On the other hand, if that same receptacle were 10 ft inside the covered area, then clearly (to me at least) it would be partialy protected. Or, if the receptacle were 6 inches inside the covered area, but only 2 inches down from the porch roof I could considere it to be partialy protected. Where does one draw the line between partialy protected and not? I don't believe it is not a wet location just because it is under a porch cover. It must also be located so that it is reasonable to considere the porch cover to be providing partial protection. Another gray area

Any thoughts?