in-use covers 406.9

mjcasey

Member
Location
Fairfield Iowa
Occupation
Electrician
I have 4 outside receptacles....all protected by a 20 amp GFCI CB. They all have your standard weatherproof cover.
The inspector wants extra heavy duty IN-USE covers in every location. I objected......siting the exception to 406.9:
Exception: 15- and 20-ampere, 125- through 250-volt receptacles installed in a wet location and subject to routine high-pressure spray washing shall be permitted to have an enclosure that is weatherproof when the attachment plug is removed.
All 15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt nonlocking-type receptacles shall be listed and so identified as the weather-resistant type.
Do I have a valid stance?
 

infinity

Moderator
Staff member
Location
New Jersey
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
Are you saying that the exception applies to your installation that this is an area subject to high-pressure spary washing?
 

mjcasey

Member
Location
Fairfield Iowa
Occupation
Electrician
I'm basically disagreeing with any requirement to have all exterior outlets to be "in-use" covered; it presents several problems
and i will usually install an in-use cover where there will be something installed over a period of time.........to be determined by the owner
of the property, not an authority.........or, more precisely, THE Authority. But in this case i was arguing the interpretation of
routine pressure washing. Since my original posting, the inspector has returned my call and has specified that the pressure washing
refers to typical operations requiring cyclic sanitary procedures. Sooooooooooooo.......he wins. Onward and upward!
 

don_resqcapt19

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Illinois
Occupation
retired electrician
I'm basically disagreeing with any requirement to have all exterior outlets to be "in-use" covered; it presents several problems
and i will usually install an in-use cover where there will be something installed over a period of time.........to be determined by the owner
of the property, not an authority.........or, more precisely, THE Authority. But in this case i was arguing the interpretation of
routine pressure washing. Since my original posting, the inspector has returned my call and has specified that the pressure washing
refers to typical operations requiring cyclic sanitary procedures. Sooooooooooooo.......he wins. Onward and upward!
He is 100% correct!
 

augie47

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Tennessee
Occupation
State Electrical Inspector (Retired)
What Code cycle is applicable ? I don't have my earlier books with me but back around 2008 the in use covers were only required where equipment was plugged in at wet locations but that was changed sometime back to in use required in wet locations period
 

don_resqcapt19

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Illinois
Occupation
retired electrician
What Code cycle is applicable ? I don't have my earlier books with me but back around 2008 the in use covers were only required where equipment was plugged in at wet locations but that was changed sometime back to in use required in wet locations period
The last code that only required the "in-use" covers when the equipment was plugged in was the 1999.
 

mjcasey

Member
Location
Fairfield Iowa
Occupation
Electrician
It was way before 2014. The 2002 NEC had a new code requirement for in-use covers in 406.8(B)(1).
Yes................however each state adopts codes according to their legislatures..................so I'm assuming it was 2014 when Iowa went with
the in-users for all.
 

infinity

Moderator
Staff member
Location
New Jersey
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
Yes................however each state adopts codes according to their legislatures..................so I'm assuming it was 2014 when Iowa went with
the in-users for all.
I'm glad to see that they're speedy in adopting code from 5 code cycles ago. :)
 

letgomywago

Senior Member
Location
Washington state and Oregon coast
Occupation
residential electrician
Thanks for the responses, fellows. The inspector stated the code requirement for all in-users came about in 2014. Every inspector I've
encountered since has respected my and the property owners preferences.........except this one.
Use a Hubble taymac accordion cover it's the lowest profile prettiest one.

That being said if this is your view on an inspector saying something you don't like why bother having one ever out. If you need a green sticker then you need one if you don't think you need one why bother.
 
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