Weatherproof/waterproof gang boxes

[sammm]

I'm building a BBQ island out of metal studs and cement board, and it will have electrical outlets. Looking for a recommendation for gang boxes.

Are all of the weatherproof boxes surface mounted? Any of them depth adjustable?

Thanks in advance.

 

[usair]

maybe a masonry box

 

[theoldwizard1]

Surface mount are most common. Of course then you have to run conduit to them.

There are a lot of weatherproof covers with gaskets that do a good job of sealing around the edges. I have seen GFCI covers, double duplex and duplex & switch weatherproof covers.

 

[sparky36000]

Is it going to be watertight inside the island? Why not use 4 square boxes with the correct depth ring and flush mount them. Then trim with weatherproof in use covers like exterior receptacles on a stucco house.

 

[sammm]

Is it going to be watertight inside the island? Why not use 4 square boxes with the correct depth ring and flush mount them. Then trim with waterproof in use covers like exterior receptacles on a stucco house.

I plan for it to be watertight, but what if some water/moisture seeps in? I'm using UF wire.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I plan for it to be watertight, but what if some water/moisture seeps in? I'm using UF wire.

Completely water proof/watertight is very difficult. Personally, I would use a plastic box and drill a small to let any trapped moisture drain out !

 

[sparky36000]

Oldwizard is right. I've opened many weather proof boxes that were wet inside. I think the inside of your island would be considered a damp location and with flush boxes and in use covers and UF cable you would satisfy an installation under the definition of a damp location in the code.

From the NEC: Location, Damp. Locations protected from weather and
not subject to saturation with water or other liquids but
subject to moderate degrees of moisture. Examples of such
locations include partially protected locations under canopies,
marquees, roofed open porches, and like locations,
and interior locations subject to moderate degrees of moisture,
such as some basements, some barns, and some coldstorage
warehouses.


314.15 Damp or Wet Locations. In damp or wet locations,
boxes, conduit bodies, and fittings shall be placed or
equipped so as to prevent moisture from entering or accumulating
within the box, conduit body, or fitting.

 

[sammm]

^Thanks y'all, I appreciate the info.

 

[Motofixxer]

Why not use the box of your choosing then caulk it to seal it up other than a hole in the bottom. Be sure to run wire in from bottom and use an in use bubble cover.

 

[Coolerman]

Perfect timing on this subject! I just had a small shed built next to the garage to park mowers in and put PVC conduit in the concrete for an outlet and maybe a switched light off that outlet. They would be considered "under a canopy".

When I was getting parts yesterday I found a receptacle marked with a WR for weather resistance. Does this outlet need one of the bubble covers? How about a light switch in that location? Should it also have the bubble cover? The conduit above where the PVC exits the concrete and outlet/light switch boxes will all be metal. I will be feeding this circuit from a 20 amp GFI outlet in the main shop.

 

[Strouty]

Why not use the box of your choosing then caulk it to seal it up other than a hole in the bottom. Be sure to run wire in from bottom and use an in use bubble cover.

The problem is that condensation will be created at some level, then it will collect inside. I work on electrical boxes on cellular towers, they are sealed tight to not let in water, but also have vents or weep holes to let moisture out. It seems counterintuitive, but it works.

 

[sammm]

When I was getting parts yesterday I found a receptacle marked with a WR for weather resistance. Does this outlet need one of the bubble covers? How about a light switch in that location? Should it also have the bubble cover? The conduit above where the PVC exits the concrete and outlet/light switch boxes will all be metal. I will be feeding this circuit from a 20 amp GFI outlet in the main shop.

I bought the WR rated outlets for my project, and plan to put covers on them as well (and the entire circuit will be on a GFCI breaker). I'm using aluminum covers that screw to the gang box. I'm not a fan of those bubble-covers.

 

[tylernt]

Any receptacle in a damp or wet location should be marked "WR" (weather resistant).

If it's a damp location where things are plugged in temporarily and with supervision, you only need a flap.

If it's a damp location where things are plugged in long-term without supervision, you need a "in-use" bubble cover.

If it's a wet location you need the bubble cover.

EDIT: For the light switch, they make a weatherproof cover with a lever on the front that allows you to flip the switch on and off while the cover is closed. Pretty clever actually.

 

[Motofixxer]

The problem is that condensation will be created at some level, then it will collect inside. I work on electrical boxes on cellular towers, they are sealed tight to not let in water, but also have vents or weep holes to let moisture out. It seems counterintuitive, but it works.

Yep that's what I was saying, seal it up to keep moisture out, but leave a hole in the bottom for drainage.

 

[Coolerman]

Any receptacle in a damp or wet location should be marked "WR" (weather resistant).

If it's a damp location where things are plugged in temporarily and with supervision, you only need a flap.

If it's a damp location where things are plugged in long-term without supervision, you need a "in-use" bubble cover.

If it's a wet location you need the bubble cover.

EDIT: For the light switch, they make a weatherproof cover with a lever on the front that allows you to flip the switch on and off while the cover is closed. Pretty clever actually.

Great! I got the WR outlet and a bubble cover. I saw the light switch cover at Home Depot you described and will pick it up next time I am there. Got it all wired yesterday.