Can an outlet box be installed behind a removable cover inside a soffitted eave?

[rszimm]

Looking at 314.29 it says that outlet boxes have to be accessible "without removing any part of the building or structure". I've got a situation where I have an eave with a wood (tongue and groove) soffit. I'm being asked to put an outlet inside the eave that would be "accessible" through a 3" hole in the soffit covered by a removable steel plate. Would that be allowed?

Just for some clarity, what they're trying to do is install a USB powered camera under that eave. Thought would be to put the outlet inside the eave with a USB adapter plugged in, and then fish the usb cable through a hole in the steel plate and power the camera.

Second question, assuming what I'm talking about is allowed, would being inside the eave be a damp or a dry location? I'm thinking it's dry as I can't see a situation where it could get wet, but it is technically still sort of outside.

Oh, one other thing. This is a flat roof, so there's no attic or other accessibility. It's more like a covered porch with a ceiling on it.

Incidentally, I'm about 90% sure this is OK and it's a dry location as I don't really see a difference between an outlet box and those junction/control boxes for the flat recessed "hockey puck" lights, and no one bats an eye when those get shoved into eave soffits.

 

[ActionDave]

 

[LarryFine]

How about using a retro-fit Arlington In-box with opaque cover?

 

[rszimm]

Those are what I use on walls. Never tried one in a soffit. I would be worried that the latches wouldn't hold the door closed very well. The ones I have don't latch particularly solidly, but it's fine on a wall because gravity is your friend.

 

[brantmacga]

Those are what I use on walls. Never tried one in a soffit. I would be worried that the latches wouldn't hold the door closed very well. The ones I have don't latch particularly solidly, but it's fine on a wall because gravity is your friend.

I have them in my soffit for Christmas lighting. The cover has never opened on its own. I’ve installed them in several customer homes with no issues.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[curt swartz]

I could not fit my hand through a 3" hole to plug something in let alone install a receptacle.

I always try to talk people out of USB powered cameras but if they insist we usually run CAT5E/CAT6/CAT6A and use https://www.poetexas.com/
PoE to USB adapters. Since the cameras don't communicate over USB you can just use PoE injectors instead of a PoE switch.

This also allows the customers to switch to real cameras in the future.

 

[rszimm]

That's a brilliant suggestion curt. Didn't know those existed. Wish I had asked before the drywall and soffit was up! I'll keep that one around for next time.