Outdoor electrical outlets differ from indoor outlets because they have watertight covers that protect the outlet even with a cord plugged in. Plus, the National Electrical Code requires all outdoor outlets to be GFCI outlets (ground fault circuit interrupter outlets).
Can a GFCI outlet be installed anywhere?
You can replace almost any electrical outlet with a GFCI outlet. Correctly wired GFCIs will also protect other outlets on the same circuit. ... The electrical code also requires GFCIs in unfinished basements, garages, most outdoor receptacles and places where construction activity occurs.
Do I need weather resistant GFCI outside?
Weather Resistant GFCI Required by 2008 National Electrical Code for use in damp or wet areas including: Patios, decks, porches, pool areas, garages, yards, and other outdoor damp locations. The weather resistant is designed to withstand extreme cold, corrosion, and damp environments.27 may 2016
What is a weather resistant GFCI?
Weather Resistant Receptacles offer protection from rain, snow, ice, moisture, and humidity when properly installed in an approved weather protective or while-inuse cover. ... Designed with enhanced nylon and corrosion resistant metal components Weather resistant receptacles are extra durable.
What causes an outdoor GFCI to go bad?
Most likely, your outdoor GFCI outlet is tripping due to one of these 3 problems: There's a ground fault somewhere in the circuit. Moisture invaded the receptacle box. The GFCI outlet is faulty.1 dic 2016
How do I find out what is causing my GFCI to trip?
Sometimes having too much equipment or appliances plugged in can also cause your GFCI to trip. You can test this easily by using a leakage current clamp meter. This meter will measure the amount of electricity flowing through circuit and will help you diagnose what is causing your electrical outlet to trip.16 feb 2018
How do I know if my outdoor GFCI is bad?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKJRhm82d5M
Why does my GFCI keep tripping with nothing plugged in?
Your GFCI keeps tripping because it wants to protect you. ... Even though the outlet with the GFCI doesn't have anything plugged into it, if an outlet downstream is connected to an appliance, a defect in that appliance could cause the GFCI to trip, depriving all the outlets in the chain of power.
Where are GFCI located?
GFCI outlets have been around since the 1970s and are typically found anywhere around the home that is a damp environment. Commonly they are located (or should be) at bathrooms, kitchen countertops, laundry areas, unfinished basements, crawl spaces, garages and at exterior outlets.21 feb 2019
Where is the GFCI on an outdoor outlet?
GFCI Outlet Requirements Any 15-amp, 20-amp, or 120-volt outdoor outlet, must have GFCI protection. There needs to be at least one at the front of your house, and one in the back, no higher than six feet, six inches off the ground, to accommodate your electrical needs.