![]() So whether you are plugging in holiday lighting in the winter or lawn equipment in the summer, you will be confident in knowing your outdoor outlets are functioning and protected to help keep you and your family safer year round. Leviton offers a full line of weather resistant covers including our NEW Extra Duty While In-Use Covers that are ruggedly constructed from durable, UV resistant thermoplastic to protect outdoor outlets from rain, snow and temperature extremes. This makes them perfect for use with lawn equipment, pools, hot tubs, holiday and landscape lighting, fountains and many other outdoor electrical needs you may have. These covers are designed to allow a plug to be inserted while continuing to protect the outlet. The final step is to make sure that each outlet has a weather resistant cover to protect it from the elements. If all checks out ok, just ensure that the outlet is not loose and the screws are tightened down. Press the “RESET” button and the lamp or radio should turn on. The easiest way to do this is to plug something like a lamp or a radio into the outlet and press the “TEST” button. If the GFCI outlet looks ok, test it to make sure it is working properly. If it does, it is time to install a new one. Next, inspect the outlet to see if it looks worn or corroded. The only exception would be an indoor GFCI outlet feeding through protection to a standard weather-resistant outlet outside the home. If your outlet is not a weather-resistant GFCI, it should be changed to ensure the best possible protection is being provided. An easy way to tell is by looking on the face of the outlet for the letters “WR”, which stands for weather-resistant. The outlet should also be rated for outdoor use. The most often used receptacle-type GFCI, similar to a common wall outlet, is the type with which most. ![]() GFCIs are designed to help protect people from potential hazards of electrical shock by detecting any leaks in current and shutting off power. The outlet should be an outdoor rated GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter). Inspect the current outlet to ensure it meets local building and electrical codes. While you are putting together your outdoor clean-up “to do” list, don’t forget to add an important item: the outdoor outlet check! By using the following steps as a guide to inspect your outdoor outlets, you can help ensure they are shielded from the elements and providing the PROPER protection to you and your family. Yes AFCI's and GFCI's coexist nicely as long as the hot and neutral are truly separated.Spring is right around the corner and it’s time to start preparing your outdoor spaces for the warmer months ahead. Start with the circuits that have the that wiring in place then finish with the newer circuitry. But looking at those pictures I would say get them now. As more building codes are updated the cost does go down. The 2005 NEC requires them for all bedroom and lighting circuits. But it will help keep you and your family safe until you can do the last step. The breakers only protect you if that happens. I have run into this many times doing favors for neighbors and friends. After the insulator is gone a fire is almost sure to happen. The natural expanding and contracting of a house adds mechanical stresses. The rubber dries out and is degraded with ozone and other atmospheric conditions. ![]() That type of wiring has a tendency to crack and cause fires with age. You might want to start adding Arc Fault Circuit Interruptor ( AFCI ) breakers to your breaker box. I've pushed the wires into the holes, tightened the screws, and put a couple wraps of tape around the outlet. Make sure the wires are stripped to the right length- there's a gauge right on the side of the outlet. (And then turn the power off again.) This GFCI outlet has both push-in and screw terminal connectors some old timers (and some new-timers) will only use the screw terminals, but actually, the push-in connectors are more reliable, according to the GFCI makers. ![]() You'll connect that wire, and its white companion, to the LINE connectors. If you can't see the markings on the old outlet, turn the power on briefly, and use your non-contact tester to find the hot wire- that's the one bringing power into the box. ![]() Make sure you know which is which- the old outlet will be labeled, as will the new. One set, labeled LINE, is used for power coming in to the box, and the other, labeled LOAD, for outlets that will be "downstream" of the GFCI, and be protected by it. There are two sets of connectors for hot (black) and neutral (white) wires. The ground screw is connected to the ground wires coming and going to the box. Your GFI outlet has five different connectors, and it's important to know which is used for what. ![]()
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