Wet location

[Jimmy7]

I work with a few guys on the side and for months we have been taking about what is a wet location, and when to use silicone filled wire nuts.
Can you chime in on this.

Residential post light head wiring - Silicone filled wire nuts?
Bell box mounted outside for a switch, receptacle, or a flood light - Silicone filled wire nuts?

 

[busman]

Are you talking NEC or good practice? I would have said that the interior of an enclosure in a wet location, is not a wet location.

Mark

 

[Jimmy7]

Are you talking NEC or good practice? I would have said that the interior of an enclosure in a wet location, is not a wet location.

Mark

I’m just talking about working out in the field. When are we supposed to use those wire nuts

 

[infinity]

I’m just talking about working out in the field. When are we supposed to use those wire nuts

They're not required for a post light head.

 

[Jimmy7]

What about bell boxes?

 

[infinity]

What about bell boxes?

No because they're not underground.

300.50(B) Wet Locations. The interior of enclosures or raceways installed underground shall be considered to be a wet location. Insulated conductors and cables installed in these enclosures or raceways in underground installations shall be listed for use in wet locations and shall comply with 310.10(C). Any connections or splices in an underground installation shall be approved for wet locations.

 

[Rick 0920]

Water is the most invasive thing on the planet. It will find the slightest gap, smallest hole, etc... I think the best practice when making splices in wet location boxes is to arrange your wirenuts so the open end is downward. Art. 314.15 gives us permission to drill drainage holes in boxes installed in wet and damp locations so water will not accumulate in them should it get in.

 

[Eddie702]

Code is minimum standard. Good practice is something better than minimum. Wet location wire nots not required by code in those locations but it's your choice.

 

[Little Bill]

If you have that much water intrusion in either the post light, or bell box, you have worse problems than silicone filled wire nuts!

 

[ActionDave]

I could see myself using them in a ground box. No way I would use them unless I had to. I'm way on the opposite side of the spectrum when it comes to being a neat freak and even I hate the idea of getting that goo that's inside of them on me.