OUTDOOR GFI Receptacle

[scratchedup]

Due to space constraints most of my big standed tools are on platforms with wheels.

To use them I wheel them outside. I run a cord from inside to power them.

I plan on putting an outlet on the outside wall to simplify this procedure.

Is a GFI a good idea. My concern is that it will be constantly be tripping when I turn on a table saw or hit a tough spot and the motor bogs down...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0088XA4GG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

[Scud67]

Not only a good idea, but required by NEC.

 

[vmusch]

Recently came across a GFI breaker and a GFI outlet on an outside outlet, seems over kill?

 

[sparky36000]

Heavy load shouldn't trip a correctly working GFCI.

 

[rockwithjason]

gfis don't trip on high demand, they only trip when the current leaving the outlet is more than the current returning to the outlet. in the bad old days there were some problems with tripping when solenoids or other non linear loads would turn on but that has mostly been solved by newer designs. all outside outlets must be gfi protected and have weather proof covers

 

[tshetter]

Ran into some newly installed GFI at one location I worked at that would always trip when trying to use sump pumps. Every pump we tried would trip the GFI out.


Don't know what the installation error could gave been but it was a pain in the ***. We had to pull out a generator to get the work done.

 

[scratchedup]

Thx
i going to pull trigger on the one at amazon.

 

[pattenp]

Don't you have a HD or Lowe's that you can go to? The GFCI outlets are less than $15 at Lowes.

Thx
i going to pull trigger on the one at amazon.

 

[scratchedup]

Don't you have a HD or Lowe's that you can go to? The GFCI outlets are less than $15 at Lowes.

Yes but---
I have come to hate RETAIL.... Amazon Prime is my life.

I order today the item is delivered to my door the next day...with fantastic return policy!

rant--- my HD has become so annoying...no help, very few with any knowledge...

 

[Kevin C]

I would look for a weather resistant GFI. Better, more corrosion resistant materials ( and code compliant). You will also need an in-use cover ( another code requirement).

The covers with the gasketed spring loaded socket covers that leave the outlet exposed when in use are no longer code compliant.

For me, HD is easy... They ask "can I help you find any thing" I answer, yes my mind, I lost it some time ago. They generally let me go on my way.

 

[Mustang51js]

Ran into some newly installed GFI at one location I worked at that would always trip when trying to use sump pumps. Every pump we tried would trip the GFI out.


Don't know what the installation error could gave been but it was a pain in the ***. We had to pull out a generator to get the work done.

Your not supposed to put a sump pump on a gfi anyway, just a single receptacle to be up to code.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

Get a good quality outdoor, GFI outlet. Get the commercial grade, skip the "contractor grade". Use a 20amp circuit (breaker, wiring, and outlet), don't try to cut corners with a 15amp circuit.

I like using the commercial grade GFIs that have the little green pilot light. You always know when its hot and ready to go.

 

[scratchedup]

Get a good quality outdoor, GFI outlet. Get the commercial grade, skip the "contractor grade". Use a 20amp circuit (breaker, wiring, and outlet), don't try to cut corners with a 15amp circuit.

I like using the commercial grade GFIs that have the little green pilot light. You always know when its hot and ready to go.

Ok, this has got me thinking. I think I have an unused 20amp dishwasher circuit nearby that I could tap off of.
I CX my amazon order.

 

[Mustang51js]

A 20 amp outlet is useless 99% of the time. Tell me how many appliances you have that has a 20 amp plug on it,which is one blade vertical and one horizontal. The normal gfi you see is rated up to 20 amps just won't accept a 20 amp cord plug

 

[scratchedup]

A 20 amp outlet is useless 99% of the time. Tell me how many appliances you have that has a 20 amp plug on it,which is one blade vertical and one horizontal. The normal gfi you see is rated up to 20 amps just won't accept a 20 amp cord plug

Ok thanks. Learning a lot here.
Question - Does not a 20 amp household circuit use 12 vs 14 ga wire? If so is it not so that a 20 amp 12 ga circuit can better handle loads....less volt drop, less draw down when an appliance is turned on?

 

[pattenp]

That is correct. But, NEC allows 15A duplex outlets on a 20A circuit. The actual 20A outlet and plug are a rare bird in typical house wiring.

Ok thanks. Learning a lot here.
Question - Does not a 20 amp household circuit use 12 vs 14 ga wire? If so is it not so that a 20 amp 12 ga circuit can better handle loads....less volt drop, less draw down when an appliance is turned on?

 

[n8n]

Also keep in mind that latest codes also require a "weatherproof while in use" box for an outdoor receptacle.

http://www-public.tnb.com/ps/endeca/index.cgi?a=nav&remove=309+601+4344

not

http://www-public.tnb.com/ps/fulltilt/index.cgi?part=CCD

which used to be common but is now no longer compliant as of adoption of NEC 2008 I believe.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

A 20 amp outlet is useless 99% of the time. Tell me how many appliances you have that has a 20 amp plug on it,which is one blade vertical and one horizontal. The normal gfi you see is rated up to 20 amps just won't accept a 20 amp cord plug

You're right, very few. Using the 20amp outlet (on a legit 20 amp circuit) makes it obvious the outlet is on a 20 amp circuit.

 

[n8n]

I think the only place I've ever seen a NEMA 5-20P was on an air compressor that was wired for 120V. However in that instance it would make a lot more sense to wire the motor for 240 and add a circuit for it, if possible.

 

[Mustang51js]

I think the only place I've ever seen a NEMA 5-20P was on an air compressor that was wired for 120V. However in that instance it would make a lot more sense to wire the motor for 240 and add a circuit for it, if possible.

Yeah usually you would see them on certain compressors or most common a bigger window ac unit.

 

[Norcal]

If you had some equipment that needs a 20A plug, it would need a dedicated circuit anyway so 20A receptacles are a waste of money.

 

[scratchedup]

Get a good quality outdoor, GFI outlet. Get the commercial grade, skip the "contractor grade". Use a 20amp circuit (breaker, wiring, and outlet), don't try to cut corners with a 15amp circuit.

I like using the commercial grade GFIs that have the little green pilot light. You always know when its hot and ready to go.

Im having a hard time locating this..."contractor grade"... GFIs that have the little green pilot light."

 

[n8n]

I think that's typically what the big boxes sell...

in fact I don't think I've ever seen a GFCI that wasn't at least "spec grade" (which is what you should be using for everything that you replace/install anyway)

 

[tshetter]

Your not supposed to put a sump pump on a gfi anyway, just a single receptacle to be up to code.

This wasn't a residential project.

It was at a customer location with multiple outdoor wet-location spec'd GFCI receptacles.

Needed to pump water out of a location prior to proceeding and the GFCI was the power source closest to the worksite.

 

[Mustang51js]

Maybe getting stray voltage from the pump causing gfi to trip