xmas lighting receptacles

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cash

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I am installing receptacles in the 2nd floor outside soffet in my sisters house
for christmas lights. do i need to gfci them and have in use cover?
 
don_resqcapt19

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210.8(A)(3) requires GFCI protection and 406.8(B)(1) requires the in use cover if the receptacle is in a wet location. Your installation may be in a damp area and not a wet area and if so, it would require a cover that is weatherproof when the receptacle is not in use.
 
goldstar

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BTW, I just found out about this recently but they are now making GFI receptacles rated specifically for outdoor use. They have a "w/p" stamped on the face. Has anyone heard of or have info on these ?
 
Ponchik

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please remember, it has to be GFCI protected, not a GFCI receptacle in that location.
 
Howard Burger

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Pierre, wouldn't one of those continuous use plastic or metal covers make the gfi weatherproof, or has that changed. 2nd Q: if the gfi is supposed to be a 'wp' gfi, do we still need a contiuous use cover or would a flap cover work? Thanks

Well, I just re-read 406.8 and it pretty much takes care of this question. Can't figure out how to delete the above so I guess I'll leave it.

Do weather-resistant recepts have some special code stamped on them to help me know which is which?
 
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goldstar

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tom baker

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goldstar said:
BTW, I just found out about this recently but they are now making GFI receptacles rated specifically for outdoor use. They have a "w/p" stamped on the face. Has anyone heard of or have info on these ?
Click to expand...

Sure. Required in the 08 NEC, but the marking is WR for weather resistant. And its not just GFCI receptacles but any receptacle in 406.8
 
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w_d_anderson

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or the like

or the like

It seems to me that the AHJ can decide if your "in the 2nd floor outside soffet " location is acceptable under the "or the like" definition of damp location in 408.6A. A 12 inch eave/soffit does not offer a lot of protection. I heard somewhere a local interpretation that defined the protection to be the area under the eave within a 45 degree angle of the roof edge. If I read this section correctly the AHJ could make you use an in-use cover unless it's an open porch area, mezzanine, or canopy.
 
infinity

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w_d_anderson said:
It seems to me that the AHJ can decide if your "in the 2nd floor outside soffet " location is acceptable under the "or the like" definition of damp location in 408.6A. A 12 inch eave/soffit does not offer a lot of protection. I heard somewhere a local interpretation that defined the protection to be the area under the eave within a 45 degree angle of the roof edge. If I read this section correctly the AHJ could make you use an in-use cover unless it's an open porch area, mezzanine, or canopy.
Click to expand...


I don't see how the underside of a soffit can be classified as a wet location given the definition in Article 100 of Location, Wet.
 
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