when do I need to use a weatherproof in use cover

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ryandumas28 said:
when do I need an inuse receptacle cover versus a standard weatherproof receptacle cover. is there any rule with 2 foot or less over requires a in use cover
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No, but I've heard rules of thumb like that. I like to see a pretty substantial porch roof (maybe 8 feet out) before I'm personally okay with just the old-style flipper lid cover. Since I favor the Arlington InBox for everything outside nowadays, I just use them anyhow, even if they're under a porch roof, simply because I think they look really slick. I am kinda curious what the rules of thumb might be in other areas. I've never had a discussion with my inspectors about it.
 
You will find the correct answer by reading 406.8.

Roger
 
roger said:
You will find the correct answer by reading 406.8.
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Yeah, but that doesn't address his primary concern. What sort of roof covering does or does not constitute an "unprotected location exposed to weather"? How substantial (distance and height wise, out from the receptacle location) do you need? Almost a question without an answer, and the answer may vary regionally.
 
I see it a bit differently then Marc however it comes down to what is considered wet location.

Here is the art.

406.8(B)(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.
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I find this very interesting-- If I install an outlet in a wet location it does not appear that I need an in use cover unless there is something plugged into it at all times. So why does every jurisdiction make us use in use covers if nothing is plugged into them in a wet location?
 
mdshunk said:
Yeah, but that doesn't address his primary concern. What sort of roof covering does or does not constitute an "unprotected location exposed to weather"? How substantial (distance and height wise, out from the receptacle location) do you need? Almost a question without an answer, and the answer may vary regionally.
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And with any question that is asked on this forum, local rules may and do come into play, so if you live where the OP does or for some reason are privy to his local rules and can answer the question with some substantiation, all we can do is point him to the correct NEC code article and section.

Roger
 
roger said:
...all we can do is point him to the correct NEC code article and section.
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As part of my value added replies, I include my stupid opinion too. That's pretty much all I can do. ;)

Surely you have an opinion on what is or is not protection from weather?
 
stickboy1375 said:
why not just use in use covers and not even worry about them old flip top covers... ;) :grin:
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That's what I do (due to the slick Arlington piece), but not too long ago all we had was the bubble covers. The customer objection to the looks of them is certainly enough to evaluate whether or not a certain porch roof does or does not provide enough protection from weather to forgo the use of the bubble cover.
 
mdshunk said:
The customer objection to the looks of them is certainly enough to evaluate whether or not a certain porch roof does or does not provide enough protection from weather to forgo the use of the bubble cover.
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Thats what happens when you give the customer an option... I try and keep it simple... :grin:
 
stickboy1375 said:
why not just use in use covers and not even worry about them old flip top covers... ;) :grin:
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I'll admit that I've replaced the bubble covers with the flip-lid covers when the bubble covers broke off. I only did it because I knew they were receptacles where there would never be something left plugged in.
 
mdshunk said:
That's what I do (due to the slick Arlington piece),
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I used the arlington boxes for brick for the first and last time. I installed 4 of them and one is broken. The little plastic nub that the cover attaches to got broken. Now what do I do? Get the brick guy back to fix it? What a PITA--
 
I personally cant think of anything uglier than an FS box mounted on siding with a big ol bubble cover to boot. Your looking at like 8 inches of protursion. and most people look horrified when they see it. I will almost always cut the box in the wall. And I was always led to beileve that if there is a roof over the outlet than it is considered damp location not wet.
 
I agree with Tony on this. Here is the definitions of Locations.

Location, Damp. Locations protected from weather and not subject to saturation with water or other liquids but subject to moderate degrees of moisture. Examples of such locations include partially protected locations under canopies, marquees, roofed open porches, and like locations, and interior locations subject to moderate degrees of moisture, such as some basements, some barns, and some cold-storage warehouses.
Location, Dry. A location not normally subject to dampness or wetness. A location classified as dry may be temporarily subject to dampness or wetness, as in the case of a building under construction.
Location, Wet. Installations underground 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.
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tonyou812 said:
And I was always led to beileve that if there is a roof over the outlet than it is considered damp location not wet.
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See, where my hang-up lies is due to the fact that rain is often associated with wind. Matter of fact, every now and again it will literally "rain sideways". Does a roof that provides substantial protection from weather 364 out of 365 days of the year still qualify as protection from weather?
 
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