Outdoor outlets in T1-11

[VHF]

I'm trying to figure out the best way to install outdoor receptacles in the wall of my garage with T1-11 siding.

I'm going to have 4 exterior outlets, at least some with "in use" covers. What kind of boxes should I use and how should I install them to avoid getting water either inside the wall or inside the boxes? Easiest would be to surface-mount a weatherproof box outside, which would only require a small round hole through the T1-11 for the conduit feeding the back of the box--easily caulked. However, this makes for a somewhat clunky appearance on the outside, especially for the outlets with the "in use" covers, which are somewhat bulky in and of of themselves.

Is there a good way to flush mount the boxes in the T1-11 without opening myself up to water getting where it should be?

 

[mrb]

very easy. all you need is normal boxes mounted flush. then install your in use covers and do a good job of caulking them to the siding.

 

[IDASHO]

I try to make sure that my opening for the box lands between two grooves in the T1-11. Then I install a weather-tight cover over it.

Makes things much easier and weather-tight

 

[Fast Orange]

Arlington makes a series of siding boxes to take care of all siding types.The boxes are set back into the wall and have either a smoke colored or paintable white in use cover built into the unit.The protrusion from the wall is only about 1 inch.
www.aifittings.com follow links for weatherproof products-product name is "In Box"-many versions for different applications

 

[boiler7904]

You'll have to double check with your local inspector, but I think in-use covers have been required on all exterior receptacles since 2005 NEC was written.

I think IDASHO is on the right track with trying to place the boxes in between the grooves of the siding.

In-use covers are a pain in the ***. They're too big to look decent for the 364 days of the year you don't use them but they're too small to actually allow a decent size (12 ga) cord to plug into the receptacle and bend around and out through the knockout in the cover.

 

[mrb]

taymac makes a 4 something inch deep in-use cover, that helps if you know you will be using larger cords in it and want to be able to keep the cover closed. if you need anything from taymac PM me and i can help you out.

 

[Kevin54]

I just surface mounted mine after the fact, but really need to change them out. Main reason being that at the time code did not really specify mounting, but in the last few years code now dictates using weatherproof boxes with the weatherproof plastic bubble over the top so no moisture can get in when a cord is plugged in. The cords exit through the bottom of the cover when it is closed. Also the cover must be labeled "watertight while in use"