Best outside electrical receptacle?
#1
06-24-15, 02:52 PM
Best outside electrical receptacle?
The current electrical receptacle is attached:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwS...ew?usp=sharing
During the winter, I have something plugged into this constantly and although it was fine last year, I'm wondering if it should be a better housing for the electrics in case of rain, etc.
Is there a recommended receptacle for outside receptacles exposed to rain and snow melting?
Secondly, we have an artesian well, which has a heating cable inside it. It seems to connect to a receptacle mounted on the side of the well. It stopped working last winter as it had all corroded from years of exposure (it's housed inside a small wood rain cover so it doesn't get rained on much). I need to replace this so am wondering what to use. The current receptacle is just a standard interior house receptacle!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwS...ew?usp=sharing
During the winter, I have something plugged into this constantly and although it was fine last year, I'm wondering if it should be a better housing for the electrics in case of rain, etc.
Is there a recommended receptacle for outside receptacles exposed to rain and snow melting?
Secondly, we have an artesian well, which has a heating cable inside it. It seems to connect to a receptacle mounted on the side of the well. It stopped working last winter as it had all corroded from years of exposure (it's housed inside a small wood rain cover so it doesn't get rained on much). I need to replace this so am wondering what to use. The current receptacle is just a standard interior house receptacle!
#2
06-24-15, 03:53 PM
The outdoor receptacle should be weather resistant, GFCI, and should incorporate an "in-use" bubble cover.
Leviton Smartlock Pro 15 Amp Weather Resistant/Tamper Resistant GFCI Duplex Outlet - White-R62-WT599-0KW - The Home Depot
Bell 1-Gang Horizontal or Vertical Weatherproof Extra Duty While in Use Cover-MM420CB - The Home Depot
Leviton Smartlock Pro 15 Amp Weather Resistant/Tamper Resistant GFCI Duplex Outlet - White-R62-WT599-0KW - The Home Depot
Bell 1-Gang Horizontal or Vertical Weatherproof Extra Duty While in Use Cover-MM420CB - The Home Depot
#3
06-24-15, 03:54 PM
seems like the plug for the well heat tape actually has a GFCI on it. Do I need to add one on the receptacle as well?
If the cover is left open, how does it protect from the rain?
If the cover is left open, how does it protect from the rain?
#4
06-24-15, 03:56 PM
To protect the heat tape, no, but to protect anything else plugged into the receptacle, any outdoor receptacle must be GFCI protected.
Edit; it is sort of like a hair dryer plugged into a bathroom receptacle. Two GFCI's in a row, but inevitable.
Edit; it is sort of like a hair dryer plugged into a bathroom receptacle. Two GFCI's in a row, but inevitable.
#5
06-24-15, 04:00 PM
seems like the plug for the well heat tape actually has a GFCI on it. Do I need to add one on the receptacle as well?
If the cover is left open, how does it protect from the rain
#6
06-24-15, 04:05 PM
Member
If the cover is left open, how does it protect from the rain?
EDIT: Nevermind ray beat me to it.
#7
06-24-15, 04:10 PM
Is there something I can use to plug 3 things into it at once and protect it from the rain?
It's actually a block heater timer but it runs some gutter heating cable and senses when to turn on according to temperature. So, one block heater timer into the receptacle, then 2 plugs go into the block heater timer.
The block heater timer is already weather resistant but the 2 plugs that go into it (from the heating cable)?
Secondly, why GFCI? if water touches it won't it short anyway? It's not like anything will be dropped into a sink.
It's actually a block heater timer but it runs some gutter heating cable and senses when to turn on according to temperature. So, one block heater timer into the receptacle, then 2 plugs go into the block heater timer.
The block heater timer is already weather resistant but the 2 plugs that go into it (from the heating cable)?
Secondly, why GFCI? if water touches it won't it short anyway? It's not like anything will be dropped into a sink.
#8
06-24-15, 04:14 PM
Member
why GFCI?
Such a simple answer that the forum tells me my message is too short so I have to type this redundant sentence.
#9
06-24-15, 04:24 PM
For more access, a larger box is required, two receptacles and a double cover as below: Hubbell TayMac 2-Gang Non-Metallic Weatherproof In-Use Cover - Clear-MM2420C - The Home Depot
Really??!! Written in stone??
GFCI doesn't operate like a breaker. It operates on the difference in amperage between the hot and neutral, and will trip when that threshold is reached...usually 700mA or so. You aren't protecting the receptacle (as it is hot with line voltage anyway), but whatever is plugged into it.
It's not like anything will be dropped into a sink.
GFCI doesn't operate like a breaker. It operates on the difference in amperage between the hot and neutral, and will trip when that threshold is reached...usually 700mA or so. You aren't protecting the receptacle (as it is hot with line voltage anyway), but whatever is plugged into it.
#10
06-25-15, 11:31 AM
Member
GFCI doesn't operate like a breaker. It operates on the difference in amperage between the hot and neutral, and will trip when that threshold is reached...usually 700mA or so.
#12
06-25-15, 06:29 PM
Group Moderator
Is there something I can use to plug 3 things into it at once and protect it from the rain?
#13
06-25-15, 08:34 PM
It's a block heater timer so 3 plugs need to go into the block heater and then 1 plug from the blovk heater into a receptacle but I need to protect the 3 plugs from the rain somehow?
#14
06-25-15, 08:53 PM
Group Moderator
Are you saying the block heater has three plugs that you need to combine into one power cord ?
If not.... you'll need to clarify post 13.
If not.... you'll need to clarify post 13.
#15
06-26-15, 03:25 AM
If the block heater won't fit in the bubble cover, it will need to be mounted in a weatherproof enclosure with its cord running to the bubble cover.
#16
06-26-15, 05:20 AM
Member
Your best receptacle, GFCI or not is here:
Marine Electrical Duplex GFCI Receptacle (15-Amp Straight Blade, 125-Volt, Female, Ivory) | Marinco
15A 125V Yellow Duplex Straight Blade Receptacle | Marinco
Marine Electrical Duplex GFCI Receptacle (15-Amp Straight Blade, 125-Volt, Female, Ivory) | Marinco
15A 125V Yellow Duplex Straight Blade Receptacle | Marinco
#17
06-27-15, 08:06 AM
3 gutter cable plugs go into a multiplug, which goes into 1 block heater, which goes into the wall receptacle.
It's the multiplug that isn't waterproof.
It's the multiplug that isn't waterproof.
#19
06-27-15, 09:33 AM
Member
It's the multiplug that isn't waterproof.
#22
07-08-15, 06:28 AM
It's a block heater timer rather than an actual block heater. So, minimal W.
Looks a bit like this but it turns on the gutter cables when temperature gets below -3:
Dual Outlet Block Heater Timer | Princess Auto
Looks a bit like this but it turns on the gutter cables when temperature gets below -3:
Dual Outlet Block Heater Timer | Princess Auto
#23
07-08-15, 07:27 AM
Member
It's a block heater timer rather than an actual block heater.
#24
07-08-15, 07:53 AM
Not possible in this situation - it has a bit of coverage from the roof but not much. The timer seems ok TBH, it says it's approved for outdoor use. But it still only has one plug space and I need to plug 2-3 gutter cables into it and they don't seem to sell weatherproof multiplugs.
#25
07-08-15, 08:26 AM
Member
it says it's approved for outdoor use. But it still only has one plug space and I need to plug 2-3 gutter cables into it and they don't seem to sell weatherproof multiplugs.
#26
07-08-15, 08:41 AM
Existing receptacle isn't GFCI so what could water damage anyway? Wouldn;t it just short?
In which case why not leave the existing receptacle and just plug everything in and provide some sort of acryclic cover?
In which case why not leave the existing receptacle and just plug everything in and provide some sort of acryclic cover?
#27
07-08-15, 08:56 AM
Member
Existing receptacle isn't GFCI so what could water damage anyway?
Do what you want, but no one on this forum will recommend an unsafe solution that you apparently are looking for. Mods, it appears to me that this thread has run it's course, can it be closed?
#28
07-08-15, 09:17 AM
Ok ok! GFCI but I still don't know how to get a waterproof multi way into the timer?
Scotch tape or making an acryclic box seem to be the only options?
Scotch tape or making an acryclic box seem to be the only options?
#29
07-08-15, 09:33 AM
Surface mount a weather resistant enclosed time with a surface mount two gang box below with two duplex receptacles. One receptacle would be GFCI and feed the second.
There are optional ways to do this but all would use a hard wired timer. The timer could be inside. The two gang box could be flush mounted. You could even make three of the plug-ins timed and the fourth always hot for other uses.
There are optional ways to do this but all would use a hard wired timer. The timer could be inside. The two gang box could be flush mounted. You could even make three of the plug-ins timed and the fourth always hot for other uses.
Last edited by ray2047; 07-08-15 at 09:56 AM.
#31
07-08-15, 10:30 AM
If the first receptacle was GFCI protected the cord designation contained "W", and the device was within the in-use cover, yes.
Box shown not weather proof. Box must be weather proof and in use cover used.
Box shown not weather proof. Box must be weather proof and in use cover used.
