Electrical question: box to use on porch
We’ve been getting conflicting information about what kind of outlet boxes are required on a porch we’re building. This is a covered, screened porch, supported by fat (15″) square columns. We’ve set standard wall boxes into the columns (see photo), but we’ve been told (not by an expert) that we have to use outdoor-style boxes, even though they are recessed.
My question is what does the code say about this? Is a covered porch a wet/damp location? Does the fact that the boxes are protected from the weather (by being set into the columns) make a difference?
Some of the outlets are facing the inside covered part of the porch (like the picture), but some are on the outside of the columns. Does this make a difference?
Any help would be appreciated.
Replies
The box is fine. What they probably meant to say is that you should still use weather proof cover plates.
Apart from the weather, you really want that gasket to keep bugs from nesting in the box.
Might not be the box, but it might wind up being the cover plate. The latest strictions require an "in use" cover. These are usually clear, and cover the box even with a cord plugged in.
Now, if a person had, say, a speaker wire plate on the box, so it's not a recepticle at all, occasionally one can run into [expletive adverb] inspector who gets snarky about "illegal covers."
One hopes that is not your case.
I can’t see how this is any different from a box mounted in brick, stucco, siding, etc. None of these applications require waterproof boxes.
It's not the box. The detail is in the cover.After final inspection remove that stupid looking, extra large clear plastic cover and screw on the old fashion cover with the hinge(s). That code friendly cover lasted about 15 minutes when I got sick of looking at it next to my front door.
Here is a much nicer looking "flat" box cover. It can be pushed in when not and use and exdented out when in use.http://www.aifittings.com/whnew89.htmArlington also has some boxes with that feature built in and the are even "flusher" to the wall.http://www.aifittings.com/whnew73.htmhttp://www.aifittings.com/whnew74.htm.
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Bill,
I'll bet that they are not cheap.
I could not find the add on cover.I found 2 versions of the boxes and it appears that they run $10-13.http://www.galesburgelectric.com/Arlington-DBVM1C-Low-Profile-Vertical-IN-BOX-for-Stucco-with--p-1740.html
http://www.galesburgelectric.com/Arlington-DBHR1C-Horizontal-Recessed-IN-BOX-for-Retrofit-Cons-p-1747.htmlAnd checking Lowes it appears that the bubble in use covers run $10-12..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Thats a nice box. I get tired of using the 'in use covers" that Lowes has. Where do you get those?
I bought the Arlington boxes at one of my local supply houses. I think it was Rexel, which has locations here on the east coast. I used them on a vinyl siding house and they look a lot neater than the bubble type. I have not used the "In/Out" style.Frank DuVal
I saw a display of the in-out boxes at a local supply house when I was looking for the One Boxes (attach with screws through the side, can be used for new or old work boxes). Did not know what the One boxes were, but had the in-out boxes.You can contact the local rep here.http://www.aifittings.com/loc_1.htm.
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Edited 3/1/2008 3:30 pm by BillHartmann
In my earlier reply, I simply said "outside cover." I did not specify 'in use' or 'bubble' cover for two reasons.
The first is, this is an area that has been subject to several recent revisions, and enforcement has been spotty. I can certainly understand why you would not want one of those 'bubble' covers there.
The second is a matter of more discussion: is the receptacle in a 'wet' or 'damp' location? Protected by the screen, and away from the edge, I can see an argument for it being "damp"- and no 'bubble' cover required.