ZRX61
Well-known member
Outlet on exterior wall fell apart. Code says "Use a GFCI outlet in wet or damp areas"... EVERY ******* one at Lowes states "Not to be used in wet or damp locations" on the box.
GFCI's..
- Thread starter ZRX61
- Start date
Meursault74
Well-known member
What's the problem? I thought you lived in the desert
Meursault74
Well-known member
But the desert isn't a wet or damp location, you're good
I think it's covering their *** sort of thing. Maybe implying you should use one of those weather resistant boxes with the outlet as well.
Your bathroom probably gets more damp when you're taking a shower than the outside of your home considering where you live.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
There are GFCI's listed to be used outside. They will have WR on the face. I haven't seen one that wasn't also a TR.
You could also try to figure out where the feed for the outside outlet comes from and install a GFCI there. Then install a WR duplex on the outside.
You could also try to figure out where the feed for the outside outlet comes from and install a GFCI there. Then install a WR duplex on the outside.
It has one of those. It sits about 1/8in proud of the wall surface at the top so rain goes down behind it.Mount the Lowe's GFCI inside a WEATHERPROOF box....
But then you will fail the inspection because the code is telling you to use it in a wet or damp area...These boxes are dry inside....
southalabama
Well-known member
A disastrous megaflood is coming to California, experts say, and it could be the most expensive natural disaster in history
A new study by the journal Science shows climate change has already doubled the chances of a disastrous flood happening in California in the next four decades. And experts say it would be unlike anything anyone, alive today, has ever experienced.
www.cnn.com
sparky 1971
Well-known member
That has nothing to do with a weather resistant GFCI. The box stores have TRWR GFCI's, they are just hard to find mixed in with the regular, TR, USB port, nightlight, alarm, white, ivory, light almond, gray, and brown.Mount the Lowe's GFCI inside a WEATHERPROOF box....
But then you will fail the inspection because the code is telling you to use it in a wet or damp area...These boxes are dry inside....
sparky 1971
Well-known member
What's the problem? I thought you lived in the desert
No it's not. See that blue WR on it? That stands for weather resistant and is listed for use outdoors.
Meursault74
Well-known member
I still say this is a CYA thing . Look at the sticker. As I said he the OP does not live in a wet and damp location.
I bet the one he's replacing, that fell apart wasn't even outdoor rated.
I had one outside that stopped working few years ago. It was there for more than 20 years (late 90's install). Wasn't outdoor rated, but was in an outdoor box with a gasket. I just put the same in. Not for spite, simply because I found the outlet was bad and replaced like with like. I remember seeing the WR kind at the store, but thought maybe those are for use without the box. I'm not losing any sleep over it now that I know better. Next time, I'll pay the couple extra bucks for the WR kind.
Meursault74
Well-known member
Stating the obvious I suppose, but why don't you just caulk around it?
sparky 1971
Well-known member
All that means is that a weatherproof box is to be used if it's installed outdoors. Outside is a wet and damp location no matter where it's located geographically. A regular GFCI is not to be used outdoors regardless of the box it's installed in, but a WR GFCI can be used indoors.I still say this is a CYA thing . Look at the sticker. As I said he the OP does not live in a wet and damp location.
I bet the one he's replacing, that fell apart wasn't even outdoor rated.
I had one outside that stopped working few years ago. It was there for more than 20 years (late 90's install). Wasn't outdoor rated, but was in an outdoor box with a gasket. I just put the same in. Not for spite, simply because I found the outlet was bad and replaced like with like. I remember seeing the WR kind at the store, but thought maybe those are for use without the box. I'm not losing any sleep over it now that I know better. Next time, I'll pay the couple extra bucks for the WR kind.
Meursault74
Well-known member
I looked it up. I think it was required to be WR in 2008 by code. So, what I did wasn't "code". The day before the outlet stopped working everything is up to "code", but as soon as I replace the bad outlet with the same type that had been there for years, it's not up to "code". Wonderful. Not so much an issue for this outlet, but I can see that being an issue with the new types of breakers.
We have another GFCI on the covered deck. I believe it's from the early 80's. It's covered in paint and has some stucco on it. It still works and trips as it's supposed to ( I've checked it with a checker as the thing looks like hell). Not WR (well I can't tell really, but it's old), but fine by "code" though, right? Grandaddy clause and all. I wouldn't want to put that one in a box though. It's not exposed to weather in the practical sense, and I keep the automatic lawn irrigation timer connected to it all the time.
I was mostly joking about the OP living in the desert and wet/damp location code. I know that you have to play by the rules/code when you do work for others. DIY guys don't. I'm not going to change out that outlet I replaced as long as it works. When it needs replacement next time, I'll put a WR one in.
I read that the WR ones have UV and corrosion resistant materials compared to regular ones. The one I replaced was in a covered metal box with a gasket. It "looked" fine. I even took it apart afterwards and I didn't see anything obviously damaged. It wasn't working as it had lost the neutral internally somewhere, but I didn't find exactly where as it was pointless.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
I honestly wouldn't worry about the GFCI's on your house. If and when there is an issue, you can think about it then. Other than WR marked on them and different screws, I really don't know what the differences are between WR and non WR.
exranger06
Well-known member
Code does NOT say that the outlet itself has to be GFCI. It says that all outdoor outlets must be GFCI protected. The outlet itself can be a regular non-GFCI outlet, as long as it's GFCI protected (fed from a GFCI breaker, or fed from a GFCI outlet upstream). The outdoor outlet still needs to be WR, and TR if it's less than 5.5 ft from the ground.
Walkers
Well-known member
It says do not use them in wet or damp locations, not do not install them in wet or damp locations. If you survive the shock, I am sure a good lawyer could get you a good sized check based on that.
slimpickins
Well-known member
Install a GFCI breaker for that circuit.
OR
If there is an upstream outlet that is indoors in that circuit, install the GFCI there and wired all downstream outlets to the "LOAD" side of the GFCI.
OR
Leviton (and maybe others) also make a blank face GFCI with just the test and reset buttons...
Install this or a regular GFCI outlet in a surface mount box beside your breaker box and feed that circuit from this. It is less expensive than a GFCI breaker.
OR
If there is an upstream outlet that is indoors in that circuit, install the GFCI there and wired all downstream outlets to the "LOAD" side of the GFCI.
OR
Leviton (and maybe others) also make a blank face GFCI with just the test and reset buttons...
Install this or a regular GFCI outlet in a surface mount box beside your breaker box and feed that circuit from this. It is less expensive than a GFCI breaker.