Outdoor receptacles 406.8(B)

[goldstar]

I know this has been beat to a pulp but I have to raise the issue one more time.

We all have opinions as to what the code says or what the code means but, I think we should also look at what the code intends. In a recent "Code Quandries" article in EC & M Magazine Mike Holt showed an illustration where a drill, plugged into an outdoor receptacle with a w/p flap cover would not meet code. While I hate to disagree with the master I have to take exception to his interpretation.

Section 406.8(B)(1) indicates that outdoor receptacles have to have an enclosure that is weatherproof whether an attachment plug is installed or not. That doesn't mean that you have to anticipate that somewhere down the line a homeowner might have a tool or appliance plugged in all year 'round and you should have installed a bubble cover to cover this possibility. The gasketing for the bubble cover doesn't offer any more protection than the gasketing for a flap cover.

If you read the article further to section 406.8(B)(2)(a) & (b) it explains the difference between intended-not attended and intended-attended. What I believe paragraph (B)(1) intends is that you should install a weatherproof cover based on guidelines of (2)(a) & (b) and not the indoor cover usually supplied with the GFI receptacle. If you know that a landscape lighting transformer is going to be plugged into a receptacle, then that GFI receptacle should have a bubble cover. If it's a general purpose receptacle, a flap cover is acceptable

OK. I'm off the soap box !!!

 

[George Stolz]

Phil, I believe it's supposed to be protected whether a plug is inserted or not.

Scenario A = Plug is inserted
Scenario B = Plug is not inserted

In both A & B, the receptacle is to be protected.

 

[iwire]

Phil I can not agree with your read on this.

406.8(B) Wet Locations.
(1) 15- and 20-Ampere Outdoor Receptacles. 15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt receptacles installed outdoors in a wet location shall have an enclosure that is weatherproof whether or not the attachment plug cap is inserted.

Yes we have to look into the future and assume someone will use the receptacle

Didn't we install the receptacle to be used at some point?

The receptacle must still be WP when that time comes.

It may not be the intent (I think it is) but it is what it says.

shall have an enclosure that is weatherproof whether or not the attachment plug cap is inserted

JMO, Bob

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[George Stolz]

To elaborate:

(B)(1) covers all 15A/20A 120V receptacles. It doesn't reference (2).

(B)(2) covers all receptacles that are not covered by (B)(1).

(B)(2)(a), since under (2), doesn't modify (1) unless (1) volunteers to use it's restrictions. Same goes for (B)(2)(b).

 

[allenwayne]

If the area is not subject to beating rain or water run off then 406.8 says a standard W.P. cover will be required.But 406.8 B says a wet location.So does beating rain or water run off constitue a wet location I think so.Now 406.8 B 2 a says that is a plug is attached when not attended then a in use cover is required.
Now 406.8 Says if in a wet location and attended then a standard W.P. cover is all that is needed.What happens after the inspection can`t be an issue since at the time of the inspection what is installed can only be inspected and not what might be installed in the future.

 

[goldstar]

We are dealing with the English language here and I know it's a matter of symantics but weatherproof covers obviously come in the form of either the flip cover or bubble cover. If a cord is not plugged into an outdoor receptacle during a rain storm isn't the flip cover an acceptable w/p cover ? Doesn't it offer the same w/p protection as a bubble cover ? If you plug a cord in during a 90 degree day to trim your hedges, why do you need a w/p bubble cover ? Would you be trimming your shrubs during a rain storm ? Is a flip cover an acceptable w/p cover in a driving rain situation ? If the bubble cover is the "cure-all" for this situation then why are they still selling flip covers ?

I know I'm over-simplifying this but I'm working in mega-mansions. No one wants those ugly bubble covers on the front or side of their houses. Kids break them with basketballs, homeowners get frustrated trying to open the covers and break them off, bees make nests in the solid PVC ones, etc.

Anyway, just another area the next CPM has to address in my opinion. Thank you all for your replies.

Regards,

Phil

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Phil,

We are dealing with the English language here and I know it's a matter of symantics but weatherproof covers obviously come in the form of either the flip cover or bubble cover.

While they come in both forms, only one that is weatherproof both with and without a plug inserted can be used where 15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt receptacles installed in a wet location.

(B) Wet Locations
(1) 15- and 20-Ampere Receptacles in a Wet Location 15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt receptacles installed in a wet location shall have an enclosure that is weatherproof whether or not the attachment plug cap is inserted.
(2) Other Receptacles All other receptacles installed in a wet location shall comply with (B)(2)(a) or (B)(2)(b).
(a) A receptacle installed in a wet location, where the product intended to be plugged into it is not attended while in use, shall have an enclosure that is weatherproof with the attachment plug cap inserted or removed.
(b) A receptacle installed in a wet location where the product intended to be plugged into it will be attended while in use (e.g., portable tools) shall have an enclosure that is weatherproof when the attachment plug is removed.

Only receptacles other than 15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt ones, can use a flip cover. All 15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt in wet locations must use a "bubble" cover.
Don

 

[celtic]

I know I'm over-simplifying this but I'm working in mega-mansions. No one wants those ugly bubble covers on the front or side of their houses. Kids break them with basketballs, homeowners get frustrated trying to open the covers and break them off, bees make nests in the solid PVC ones, etc.

Try these:
For brick

For vinyl:

I just bought 4 of the brick style for my own home. They cost me about $13 each (supply house price is about $7, but mine was a rush order). Even at $13, the price is comparable to anything with a bubble cover - which costs anywhere from $12 - $17 JUST for the cover. The Arlington box is a soup to nuts box - just add wire and device.

Here are the links to Arlington:
http://www.aifittings.com/whnew74_newbrick.htm
http://www.aifittings.com/whnew74_newvinyl.htm

They have some other "nifty" products too..check the "What's New" Section.

EDIT:
The only thing visible after exterior wall is finished is the box cover and the "goof" flange.
They also come with little tabs to keep bugs out (we'll see about that! LOL)

 

[allenwayne]

These were brought up several months ago and I searched them and thought they were a great idea.How about those one solid covers that you have to remove either the top or side locking mecanism or fight opening them at all with a CROW BAR LOL :roll: But back to symantics,what actually constitutes a wet location.Outside in any location or in an area that is interpeted by the inspector as being subject to water.The inspectors here have been really good as far as that goes unless in a obvious run off area they use a 6 ft. determination.6 ft. under an eave/overhang (for ground level installs) No in use required.Under an eave and facing down no in use also(that one gets me since the receptacle is obviously for installed christmas lights)But that is what they want and that is what they get :wink:

 

[infinity]

The inspectors here have been really good as far as that goes unless in a obvious run off area they use a 6 ft. determination.6 ft. under an eave/overhang (for ground level installs)

The " 6' rule" seems like a decent interpretation of a wet location but it isn't directly supported by the Article 100 definition.

Location, Wet. Installations under ground or in concrete slabs or masonry in direct contact with the earth; in locations subject to saturation with water or other liquids, such as vehicle washing areas; and in unprotected locations exposed to weather.

I do agree that a receptacle mounted under an eave would not require an in-use cover. This would be a damp location. Besides who would want to look at those ugly covers mounted there anyway.

 

[goldstar]

Don,

I know the general consensus on this is to use the bubble cover and that it cures all the ills. I guess this section is what set me off:

(b) A receptacle installed in a wet location where the product intended to be plugged into it will be attended while in use (e.g., portable tools) shall have an enclosure that is weatherproof when the attachment plug is removed.

The illustration that Mike chose to show in the EC & M article showed a hand drill plugged into an outdoor receptacle. In the illustration next to this one he showed an ice machine plugged into a receptacle with a bubble cover. The ice machine is unattended and in use 24-7 - it needs a bubble cover. The drill is plugged in for a very short term use, it obviuosly can't be considered unattended and we, as electricians, can't possibly figure that some unsuspecting homeowner will leave his drill plugged in over night or during a rain storm.

In your reply you used this terminology :

only one that is weatherproof both with and without a plug inserted

Section (B)(1) does not use the term both

In my interpretation I see this section as saying

15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt receptacles installed in a wet location shall have an enclosure that is weatherproof

I don't believe that the terminology "whether or not the attachment plug cap is inserted", is a design spec for bubble covers. Granted, a bubble cover could be considered the safest way to go in order to pass inspection in some areas but, I don't believe that the CMP's that wrote this section intended on having bubble covers installed on every outdoor receptacle. Just my opinion.

Celtic,
I try to use these Arlington boxes whenever I can. They're great. However, once in a while I'll get a real nit picker that wants the enclosure to exactly match the color of the siding. Arlington has only one color - white. It wouldn't make a difference to me but it apparently bothers some people.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Phil,
You are correct that it doesn't say both...it says "enclosure that is weatherproof whether or not the attachment plug cap is inserted". That wording requires both.

I don't believe that the terminology "whether or not the attachment plug cap is inserted", is a design spec for bubble covers.

It doesn't say bubble covers, but it requires the enclosure to be weatherproof both when the receptacle is in use and when it is not being used. If you can make it weatherproof under both conditions, then you are in compliance with the code. If you can't you have a violation.
Don

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

Phil
" I don't believe that the CMP's that wrote this section intended on having bubble covers installed on every outdoor receptacle. Just my opinion."

Actually, that is exactly why they changed the wording in this section.


It never ceases to amaze me how some people will fight the wording of the code when they do not like having to conform to it.

There is a proposal that is going in for the 2008 NEC, it says:
110.125
If the job is:
1. Too hard
2. Too expensive
3. Does not look good
4. Or you just do not like the wording
You may skip this section and move on to the next

 

[JohnE]

I think all outdoor receptacles mounted to the side of a house are ugly. Especially with cords dangling from them during holiday season. I've been installing Arlington Garden Posts with receptacles and bubble covers in them and "hiding" them near plantings on select installations. Other than that I do use the ones that Celtic linked.

 

[dlhoule]

Phil
" I don't believe that the CMP's that wrote this section intended on having bubble covers installed on every outdoor receptacle. Just my opinion."

Actually, that is exactly why they changed the wording in this section.


It never ceases to amaze me how some people will fight the wording of the code when they do not like having to conform to it.

There is a proposal that is going in for the 2008 NEC, it says:
110.125
If the job is:
1. Too hard
2. Too expensive
3. Does not look good
4. Or you just do not like the wording
You may skip this section and move on to the next

LOL I like the proposal, especially #4.

 

[sandsnow]

If you really want toget out of this and possibly have a go around with your inspector, try this:

Install a 5-30R receptacle. (straight blade, 125V, 30 amp).

Oh Yeah, buy the homeowner a case of adapters :wink:

 

[charlie b]

I guess this section is what set me off:

(b) A receptacle installed in a wet location where the product intended to be plugged into it will be attended while in use (e.g., portable tools) shall have an enclosure that is weatherproof when the attachment plug is removed.

You will concede, I believe, that that sentence applies to receptacles that are not 15 or 20 amp, or that are not 125 or 250 volts. I do not know if there are any types of receptacles that you would find at a home, and that do not meet the description of "15- and 20- amp, 125-and 250- volt." Perhaps there could be an icemaker installed outdoors, and it might use a 30 amp receptacle. In that case, you could invoke 406.8(B)(2). But every "normal" receptacle you see on outdoor walls of "normal houses" will fall under 406.8(B)(1), unless it falls under an eave.

In your reply you used this terminology :

only one that is weatherproof both with and without a plug inserted

Section (B)(1) does not use the term both

It does not need to. It ways "whether or not," and that addresses both the case of the plug being plugged in and the case of the plug not being plugged in. No twist of the English language is going to make it apply only to the case of the plug not being plugged in.

I don't believe that the terminology "whether or not the attachment plug cap is inserted," is a design spec for bubble covers.

It's not. If you invent a receptacle that is weatherproof with and without the plug inserted, and if you do it without a bubble cover, and if you get it UL listed, then I can install one to serve my back porch. Until then, at least the bubble cover is one way to comply with this code article.

 

[goldstar]

Thanks Don & Pierre for your replies. I knew I was going head on with a freight train when I posted this argument. Kind of like Jackie Chan taking on 15 Ninja warriors by himself. I'm surprised no one took my side with this. It's not so much that I dislike what the section says it's that if the CMP wanted bubble covers on these receptacles why didn't they just say so ? Why do they have to use wording that's "veiled in allegory" and subject to a wide variety on interpretations? And, to make matters worse, they leave the final interpretation up to the local AHJ. I'm just trying to get everyone on the same page with this.

On a serious note, installing the bubble covers on new houses or additions in my area is a 50-50 shot. Some inspectors insist on it because they interpret it Don's way and some interpret it my way. I usually carry a half dozen in my truck and I bring them out at the time of inspection just in case. I also tell the inspector "I'll put them on if you want me to but I can assure you that the homeowner will replace them with the flap type covers after you're gone."

 

[goldstar]

Charlie,

The majority of respondents here believe that the terminology shall have an enclosure that is weatherproof whether or not the attachment cap is installed or not insinuates that one, and only one, type of enclosure is approved for use to cover the possibility that a plug might be installed in that receptacle whether it's sunny out or raining.

I don't see it that way. I see this as saying shall have an enclosure that is weatherproof whether or not the attachment cap is installed or not. If an attachment plug is not installed, a flap cover is weatherproof. If a plug is installed for long term use a bubble cover is the correct one to use. When the manufacturers stop making flap covers, I'll use bubble covers exclusively.

 

[charlie b]

. . . insinuates that one, and only one, type of enclosure is approved for use . . .

The authors of the NEC don't know or care how many types of enclosures might be approved for use in this application. All they care about is that you not use an enclosure unless it is approved for use in this application. If someone invents a new enclosure and gets it approved, then you can use it, and the NEC will not have to be revised in order to allow you to use it.

If an attachment plug is not installed, a flap cover is weatherproof.

Is the flap cover also weatherproof when the plug is installed? Being an engineer and not an electrician, I have a right not to know the answer to that question. But I am guessing that the answer is "no." If that is true, then you can't use a flap cover for a 20 amp receptacle in a wet location.

If a plug is installed for long term use a bubble cover is the correct one to use.

Long term use is not relevant. If it is a 15 or 20 amp receptacle, and if it is rated for 125 or 250 volts, and if it is in a wet location, then it must have an enclosure that is weatherproof when the plug is not inserted, and that is weatherproof when the plug is inserted, even if the plug is inserted only for a few minutes while the operator is using the equipment.