Are exterior mounted switches required to be weatherproof?

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qcroanoke

qcroanoke

Sometimes I don't know if I'm the boxer or the bag
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Roanoke, VA.
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Sorta retired........
I know receptacles are. Are 15 and 20 amp switches required by code to be?
Code section please.
I only have 2008 and it does not appear to be in that year.
 
mjf said:
by common sense they do!:p Don't have code book handy to look.
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In case it isn't clear I'm asking about the switch itself being weatherproof.
Not just installed in a weatherproof enclosure.
 
The inside of EMT or conduit exposed to weather is considered to be a wet location for wire selection.
By extension of this is the inside of a weatherproof enclosure connected to that conduit also a wet location???
Would you need a wet location but not weatherproof switch? :)

Tapatalk!
 
NEC 2014 article 404 switches
404.4 damp or wet locations
(A) "enclosed in a weatherproof enclosure or cabinet"
(B) "equipped with a weatherproof cover"
(C) "part of a listed assembly"
Non of which use the terminology of weatherproof or weather resistant for the device itself as it does for a receptacle device. We look for the stamp wr and/or tr on receptacles as applicable and covers or enclosures for switches in our jurisdiction. Not familiar with "weatherproof" snap switch devices.

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qcroanoke said:
In case it isn't clear I'm asking about the switch itself being weatherproof.
Not just installed in a weatherproof enclosure.
Click to expand...

Sorry, should have taken a few more seconds to digest your OP before commenting:slaphead:.

It is an interesting question...interesting in the sense that WR snap switches aren't available or required (shhhhhhh...don't tell the manufacturers!)
 
mjf said:
Sorry, should have taken a few more seconds to digest your OP before commenting:slaphead:.

It is an interesting question...interesting in the sense that WR snap switches aren't available or required (shhhhhhh...don't tell the manufacturers!)
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I thought maybe you didn't understand the question. ;)
No, don't tell the mfgrs.
I would think it would be required though.......
 
Too lazy at the moment to get my book. Are all outdoor receptacles required to be WR? or just outdoor GFCI receptacles?

I think it's just the GFCI's, and if that's the case, I would figure it's got to do with the GFCI internals that are in need of added "weather" protection to function properly, which wouldn't be as important safety wise as a snap switch or a standard receptacle on a GFCI breaker
 
From a P&S product bulletin on WR receptacles:

Features & Benefits
? Listed to the Weather-Resistant supplement of UL498, meeting demanding
UL? requirements including:
? Ultraviolet light exposure test
? Cold impact test
? Accelerated aging test
? Stringent material requirements for current-carrying parts, wire binding
screws and mounting straps to ensure superior corrosion resistance
? Residential Weather-Resistant Receptacles are Tamper-Resistant as
required by 2008 NEC.
? All receptacles are cULus listed.
? Receptacles still require a weatherproof cover in wet or damp locations.
? WR marking on face as required by UL Standard.
Click to expand...

I don't see a switch subject to all of those items, but I still agree with not telling the manufacturers, or someone will come up with something whether necessary or not.

Just the other day I was cussing at a "raintight" EMT fitting, I still think those are a joke. I've found some I like better then others, but in general don't like any of them. I have also had more WR type GFCI's fail then I have ever had non WR types fail - and I'm not sure why.
 
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