Bell Box

[Jimmy7]

Do you need weatherproof wirenuts in a bell box that is mounted outside 2’ above grade. The box has a gasket, so do you need the weatherproof wirenuts? Having some jobsite debate over this one.

 

[rc/retired]

Do you need weatherproof wirenuts in a bell box that is mounted outside 2’ above grade. The box has a gasket, so do you need the weatherproof wirenuts? Having some jobsite debate over this one.

No and I hope you win!

Ron

 

[VirutalElectrician]

No...But, why not? Pretty much every Bell Box I've ever been in has had water contamination...So why not?

 

[ptonsparky]

Weep holes in the bottom.

IDK why water gets in past the gaskets, but doesn't drain out.

 

[roger]

Weep holes in the bottom.

IDK why water gets in past the gaskets, but doesn't drain out.

The reason I tell people to drill weep holes.

 

[LarryFine]

I traditionally drill a pair of 1/8" holes in the bottoms of boxes, LBs, etc.

Larger exterior enclosures normally have drain holes from the factory.

 

[Jimmy7]

Weep holes in the bottom.

IDK why water gets in past the gaskets, but doesn't drain out.

So weep holes with regular wirenuts will suffice?

 

[ptonsparky]

Yes.

 

[rc/retired]

So weep holes with regular wirenuts will suffice?

Yes.

Ron

 

[Dsg319]

Don’t forget the wads of super33 black tape somebody can fight off on a nice warm sticky summer day lol.

 

[LarryFine]

So weep holes with regular wirenuts will suffice?

Yeppers. Orienting them open-end down helps.

 

[tom baker]

I traditionally drill a pair of 1/8" holes in the bottoms of boxes, LBs, etc.

Larger exterior enclosures normally have drain holes from the factory.

And I use SS screws on plates. WR receptacles have SS screws

 

[ptonsparky]

Oxide inhibitor works on the screws.

 

[retirede]

And I use SS screws on plates. WR receptacles have SS screws

Didn’t the Hubbell Bell box overs come with SS screws at one time?

 

[Jimmy7]

In this box there will be a 20 amp 125 volt twist lock receptacle in an in-use cover. Does a twist lock receptacle need to be a weather resistant type? This is residential

 

[garbo]

Not required but vast majority of poor quality bell boxes that I opened outdoors had water in them. I installed two Killark aluminum FS boxes on the outside of my house almost 50 years ago with quality covers that use four screws to attach them. Still dry & clean inside. The cast iron FS & FD boxes are also great for keeping water out but heavy & expensive. Biggest joke was when bell boxes only used one screw ( middle of duplex receptacle ) to mount flimsy flip cover receptacle to box. Cover would deform and that along with horrible extra thin gasket guaranteed water intrusion.