Multiple Outdoor recepticles

Status
Not open for further replies.
bensonelectric

bensonelectric

Senior Member
Yesterday, while putting up "holliday luminairs" (gotta be politicly correct) one of the many extension cords shorted out and tripped the GFCI on the outside of my house. I usually try and put on a good light display and make the power company happy, thus requiring the use of many extension cords, much to my dislike, and am considering installing dedicated recepticles along where I usually run the extension cords. My question is, am I allowed to use the load side of an existing 20A GFCI on the outside of my house to run 1/2" GRC to the recepticles, or do the recepticles need to have their own GFCI? Also, what method should be used to support the device box on the end of the run?

[ December 06, 2004, 10:05 PM: Message edited by: bensonelectric ]
 
Re: Multiple Outdoor recepticles

Depending on what you've got framing wise, I'd just pull out of your garage door opener outlet in the garage (you have a garage?), do it all concealed. Probably way easier than your proposal, cheaper, and look better too! Cut a couple of outlets in your soffit, install weather-proof covers, done. No GFI even necessary.

My $.02.
 
Re: Multiple Outdoor recepticles

I guess you misunderstood, Im a bit of a freak when it comes to holiday lighting, thus the fasination with electricity and this forum ;) , and put lights on the trees, which are bout 30' from the house, and the bushes beyond, in addition to the lights on the house, and am considering putting recepticles in the yard, for the purpose of suppying *just* the lights, and the occassional power tool ;)
 
Re: Multiple Outdoor recepticles

Ooooooooh. Well, barring the occasional arc welding...

I'd trench it (just being honest), and next to the trees, the tastefully lit R.V., etc, there's something called a Perma-Post, RAB makes them for sure, they're probably sold at Home Depot, though I haven't looked. Get Permaposts, 1" long 1/2" GRC, Bell Boxes, and yes, the GFI on your house is okay to use.

Extremists. Gotta love 'em.
For extra credit throw a photoeye and a three-way switch at the house:
Common = Yard Outlets
Traveler A = from Photoeye
Traveler B = Full time power, for your occasional daytime use.
What have I started? :D
 
Re: Multiple Outdoor recepticles

Actually, I was thinking of a timer, so the lights wouldnt stay on all night, with the same 3 way principle. :D This entire project is just to spite my many extension cords.
 
Re: Multiple Outdoor recepticles

Ah, so.

Have you seen the Permaposts I mentioned? They're basically 1' long pipes that look like 2" PVC pipe that've been cut on one end at a 45 degree angle, and the other end straight. The cap on the straight end accepts a 1/2" GRC, just make sure to get 3 hole bell boxes with 1/2" holes. A word of caution: I've seen yards around apartments that they prewired the entire yard, and then neighborhood kids kicked the hole project down. If I had've installed those I'd weep...

Screw the timer, a photoeye's ten bucks... :)
 
Re: Multiple Outdoor recepticles

No, but i will definitly look in to it. Thanks for the advice. :D Luckly, we have a raised yard, with boxwood hedges surrounding where the receps. would be, hopefully protecting them from wandering feet and such things. ;)
 
Re: Multiple Outdoor recepticles

Surface mount weatherproof box.

(Gray, has threaded holes in it of varying size and quantity, "3 hole, 5 hole".
 
Re: Multiple Outdoor recepticles

Originally posted by bensonelectric:
No, but i will definitly look in to it. Thanks for the advice. :D Luckly, we have a raised yard, with boxwood hedges surrounding where the receps. would be, hopefully protecting them from wandering feet and such things. :D

Mmm...so that's what a bell box is...I thought it was an actual box to mount a bell on. :D
Click to expand...
 
Re: Multiple Outdoor recepticles

I didn't want to be the one to tell ya this, Matt. Sorry, man, but the DEA is watching your house right now. It's the neighbor's "hemp" that's growing in your planters.

Don't drop the soap...
Good night.

P.S. But the friendly men in the unmarked sedan out front did say they enjoyed the festive lighting...

[ December 06, 2004, 11:55 PM: Message edited by: georgestolz ]
 
Re: Multiple Outdoor recepticles

lol... wouldnt be supprised, the rental house across the street seems to be a bit "wild"...
 
Re: Multiple Outdoor recepticles

Originally posted by georgestolz:
Cut a couple of outlets in your soffit, install weather-proof covers, done. No GFI even necessary.
Click to expand...
George why do you say no GFCI necessary?

As this is a dwelling all outside outlets are required to be GFCI protected, only one exception and that is for ice melting equipment.

210.8 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel.

(A) Dwelling Units. All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in the locations specified in (1) through (8) shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.

(3)Outdoors

Exception: Receptacles that are not readily accessible and are supplied by a dedicated branch circuit for electric snow-melting or deicing equipment shall be permitted to be installed in accordance with the applicable provisions of Article 426.
Click to expand...
Originally posted by bensonelectric:
My question is, am I allowed to use the load side of an existing 20A GFCI on the outside of my house to run 1/2" GRC to the recepticles, or do the recepticles need to have their own GFCI?
Click to expand...
Code wise yes, you may add more outlets to the load side of your existing GFCI.

The thing you need to consider is that the more equipment connected to one GFCI the more likely you will have nuisance tripping. (Cumulative leakage current)

If this turns out to be problem you could connect to the line side of the existing GFCI and put in GFCI outlets at each location.
 
Re: Multiple Outdoor recepticles

Bob, don't you sleep?!?

"Exception: Receptacles that are not readily accessible and..."
Click to expand...
I thought "and" was "or". You are absolutely right. Why did I get that stuck in my head?

I blew that one! :eek:
 
Re: Multiple Outdoor recepticles

I would like to reiterate what the 'early bird' Bob mentioned - that the length of conductor on the load side of the GFCI protective device will contribute to the possibility of tripping the GFCI because of leakage current in the conductor insulation. Installing the GFCI device at each location and connecting the circuit on the line side of the house GFCI will help.
Also there is a 'rocket post' type of equipment that has a location for installing devices within the manufactured post so you will not need a bell box on top of the post. I cannot recall what brand.

Pierre
 
Re: Multiple Outdoor recepticles

Originally posted by bensonelectric:
Yesterday, while putting up "holliday luminairs" (gotta be politicly correct)
Click to expand...
This is what is happening to our country. :(
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top