"In Use" outlet covers

[akpolaris]

Is there a code requirement for height from the ground for exterior outlet with these covers? How much abuse will these covers withstand?

 

[Norcal]

Is there a code requirement for height from the ground for exterior outlet with these covers? How much abuse will these covers withstand?

If you buy the cheapest plastic junk you can find, they will not take much if any abuse, buy a decent cast one & they do fairly well. If they are protected such as a covered patio a regular weather proof cover is OK, because it would have to be a very strong driving rain to get them wet at the back of a covered area.


BTW, if you look sometimes a good metal bubble cover is not much more then plastic.

 

[akpolaris]

is there a code height from the ground?? If it is too low it may get buried in the snow so I was thinking higher up. It is outside a shop and I was led to believe the new NEC says interior receptacles need to be 48" high.

 

[Norcal]

The height is a design choice, place it where it's useful, it's not if buried in snow. That 48" requirement sounds like a section from the Urban Legend Code.

 

[600SL]

I put mine up at about 4 ft. after someone on the board mentioned why have to bend down to insert a plug. It was great advice.

 

[Stuff]

The limit is only for code required receptacles. 6' 6" if it is one of the required outside outlets (balconies, decks, one in front, one in back) and 5' 6" for indoor. But once you have met the requirements then the others can be just about anywhere.

 

[cybrdyke]

Intermatic and Taymac make the best ones. If you are concerned about abuse, get one of the newer "Extra Duty" covers. They can be polycarbonate or metal. They have to pass a UL weight drop test. I think it's 40 lbs. If you want to be able to lock it, make sure it has a hasp for that. Also, you can get them in clear, white or gray as standard, but they come in many other colors.
CD

 

[NakeDiesel]

These are the outlet covers I used. I like them, allows for me to keep them closed when in use for plugging in grid heaters on our trucks/tractor or for charging batteries etc... I put them about 5' 5" high, but my reason was to keep animals from hitting them as my cattle and horses come up to the house all the time.

These are regular outlets connected to an inside outlet that is a GFCI outlet.

 

[JohnX14]

is there a code height from the ground?? If it is too low it may get buried in the snow so I was thinking higher up. It is outside a shop and I was led to believe the new NEC says interior receptacles need to be 48" high.

There is no minimum height restriction. I use Arlington Garden posts for outdoor receptacles from time to time. The nice thing is for things like Christmas lighting, you don't see the cord dangling to the house.

http://www.cesco.com/b2c/product/69...1_a_7c697349&gclid=COaRlMKtt8ICFcNZ7AodT3MABA