Hint: Water played a part.
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I discovered this water-damaged GFCI receptacle when a customer called me to see why his Christmas lights had stopped working. The cover that was installed on this outdoor location GFCI receptacle was the type that is weatherproof only when the cover is closed. Unfortunately, the Christmas lights and some other cords were left plugged into this receptacle almost year-round. This meant that the cover was open, which allowed water to infiltrate the enclosure and eventually cause significant damage to the GFCI receptacle. Believe it or not, the circuit breaker for this receptacle never tripped. The conductors feeding this receptacle were still energized when I arrived. Of course, the receptacle had stopped working. It’s pretty scary to think what might have happened if the customer did not call when he did.
Section 406.9(B)(1) of the 2017 NEC requires weatherproof while in-use covers to be used for 15A and 20A, 125V and 250V receptacles installed in wet locations. The use of a “bubble cover,” as they are commonly called, may have prevented this serious water damage from happening. Listed weather-resistant (WR) type receptacles are also required to be used for wet locations.
About the Author
Russ LeBlanc
Owner
Russ started in the electrical trade as an apprentice in 1985. He worked his way up to become a Journeyman Electrician and then eventually became a Master Electrician and Licensed Construction Supervisor. In 1999 Russ become an Electrical Instructor for The Peterson School of Engineering in Massachusetts where he developed his passion for teaching, and quickly became Department Head of Electrical Instruction. Russ has taught thousands of apprentices, electricians, engineers, inspectors, and other electrical professionals during his career as an instructor. He continues to provide electrical professionals with Electrical Code seminars, Arc-Flash Awareness training seminars and educational material through his LeBlanc Consulting Services in North Reading, MA whose specialty is educating electricians. He has been an active member of the NFPA Electrical Section and has authored hundreds of National Electrical Code proposals and comments which have become Code rules to improve the safety for the electrical industry. Russ is also an IAEI certified Electrical Inspector.
Please visit www.russleblanc.net for more information.