So my brother installed a GFCI outlet outside of his home. It has a bubble cover over it for in use protection. He says that it has gone bad twice so far and had to be replaced. Seems like every 2 years. The outlet appeared to be corroded when removed from the box. He had another outlet installed with on the other side of the house and it has been fine since 2006. Any ideas on what is killing this GFCI? Are there better grade versions available than stuff from the big box?

 

The code now requires the GFI to be marked WR for weather resistant.

The cover may be allowing water in. Might be worth a check.

 

Interesting. I didn't realize you couldn't just use any gfci outdoors. Looks like I will have swap mine out at some point as well.

 

I believe the weather resistant requirement first appeared in the 2008 NEC. They only cost about a buck more than the old type.