Can I put a hole in a weatherproof box?


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Old 05-29-19, 10:52 AM
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Can I put a hole in a weatherproof box?

I have a very old outdoor box with a GFCI for a sump pump and it needs to be updated. It's vertically oriented right now (the PVC conduit comes in the top) and I need it to be horizontal so the pump/switch cords will all fit under the all-weather cover. But it seems that all the single-gang boxes have the conduit holes in the ends. Can I just drill a hole in the side of the box to fit the conduit fitting, or do I have to go to a double-gang box to get the hole in the top and still get the width I need?
 
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Old 05-29-19, 11:54 AM
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If I read your post correctly, the whole reason you want to do this is so you can fit the cords under the cover? Why not just purchase a vertical in-use cover, and leave the box as-is?

https://www.amazon.com/Taymac-MX3200...65221373&psc=1

Andy
 

Last edited by Andrew; 05-29-19 at 12:00 PM. Reason: Added link showing item
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Old 05-29-19, 05:35 PM
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That's what I have (just put it on a couple days ago) unfortunately the design of the switch plug doesn't lend itself to a vertical box and I have a feeling that cord won't last long at all the way it's all scrunched up. The switch plug goes into the outlet first then the pump plug piggy-backs onto that.
They really didn't put a lot of thought into that design but it's pretty common.
 
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Old 05-29-19, 06:03 PM
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Google "heavy duty electrical side mount plugs" images or sideways plug adapters. Will any of those help you?
 
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Old 05-29-19, 06:35 PM
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If it can I'm not seeing it.
I think my picture is misleading. This is what the switch plug looks like; it comes in from the left in my picture. The one coming straight out in my picture is the pump; it plugs in to the switch plug.
 
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Old 05-30-19, 07:17 AM
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Mount a 2 gang cover on the existing box and seal up the unused opening with a blank insert and some caulk.

https://www.zoro.com/taymac-while-in...yABEgK06vD_BwE
 
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Old 05-30-19, 09:50 AM
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I actually thought of that because I'd really prefer to do it that way but
I can't find anything in the way of a blank insert. Do they actually make something like that, or do you mean to just rig something?
And would that meet code?
Thanks
 
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Old 05-30-19, 02:14 PM
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Okay, I managed to find a blank insert. Now for the other question about will it meet code?
 
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Old 05-30-19, 02:22 PM
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will it meet code?
If it is made weatherproof it should. A PVC insert glued in with PVC adhesive will be as weatherproof as a conduit connection and less likely to be exposed to driving rain, dripping water, etc. An insert screwed in with a gasket should also be weatherproof.

Any water or condensation that might find its way in will drip out the bottom and not migrate up and back into the box that should also have a gasket between it and the cover.
 
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Old 06-01-19, 09:09 AM
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Okay, thanks. I'm going to give that a try.
 
 

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