The Family Handyman – August 2019

FAMILYHANDYMAN.COM JULY/AUGUST 2019 69

MISTAKE :

Making connections

outside electrical

boxes

Never connect wires outside electrical

boxes. Junction boxes protect the con-

nections from accidental damage and

contain sparks and heat from a loose

connection or short circuit.

MISTAKE:

Installing a flat, weather-resistant

cover on an outdoor receptacle

Flat covers provide protection only when a receptacle isn’t in

use, but it’s not uncommon for extension cords to be plugged in

for extended periods of time—for example, for holiday lights.

This product may still be available at home centers, but it no

longer meets code.

THE RIGHT WAY:

INSTALL A BUBBLE COVER

All new exterior outlets must have a “bubble” or “in-use” cover

identified as “extra-duty.” And don’t forget the weather-resistant

receptacle. The NEC requires that all 15- and 20-amp recepta-

cles be rated as weather-resistant and tamper-resistant when

installed in both wet and damp locations.

THE RIGHT WAY:

ADD A BOX

Where connections aren’t contained in an

electrical box, install a box and reconnect

the wires inside it. The photo above shows

one way to do this for an exterior light

mounted on wood siding.

No junction

box

Remodel

box

Cut-in

block

Does not
meet code

Bubble

cover