Is there such a thing as an outdoor outlet
#1
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Is there such a thing as an outdoor outlet
I have a series of GFCIs on one circuit from my garage out to a gate. In addition to the expense and the various problems they cause, whenever the topic comes up, people (including the great folks on this forum recently) love to point out that the first GFCI could protect a series of non-GFCI outlets on the load side.
The thing is, I'm not finding "outdoor" non-GFCI outlets anywhere. Is there such a thing? All say indoor very prominently. Does it matter?
The thing is, I'm not finding "outdoor" non-GFCI outlets anywhere. Is there such a thing? All say indoor very prominently. Does it matter?
#2
Yes, outdoor receptacles should now be rated "WR" for weather resistant. They do make non-GFCI WR receptacles but they may not be a common stock item at the big box stores.
For example: https://www.amazon.com/Leviton-W5320...+wr+receptacle
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002FYEBPY..._t3_B002DQT5UK
For example: https://www.amazon.com/Leviton-W5320...+wr+receptacle
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002FYEBPY..._t3_B002DQT5UK
#3
The big thing is that an outside outlet be mounted in a weather resistant enclosure with a in use cover. Older outlet covers only protected the outlet when it was not in use. The more modern and required style allows something to be plugged in and the outlet is still protected from the elements.

#4
FWIW, my local big box home improvement store does carry both 15 and 20 amp, tamper and weather resistant (TR/WR), non-GFCI receptacles as a stock item. Only one brand and one color, but they're there.
#7
Many times.... and especially with outdoor receptacles..... there is a common circuit serving several receptacles. When I install a circuit like that..... each receptacle is a GFI receptacle connected to power via LINE input. This eliminates trying to figure out which receptacle is causing a problem.
Connecting a GFI to the LOAD terminals of a previous GFI on the same circuit is a recipe for problems.
Connecting a GFI to the LOAD terminals of a previous GFI on the same circuit is a recipe for problems.
#11
The big thing is that an outside outlet be mounted in a weather resistant enclosure with a in use cover. Older outlet covers only protected the outlet when it was not in use. The more modern and required style allows something to be plugged in and the outlet is still protected from the elements.


#13
None at Lowe's.
Sure, Lowes has them, but probably few people who work at Lowes know what they are for.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hubbell-15-...let/1000049869