exterior receptacle suggestions?
JohnT8
| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on
This is a “how would you do it?” question. I’m replacing the exterior receptacle on the front of the house. The old receptacle is a metal 2×3″ box that is mortared in place. The receptacle is near the front door just barely under the porch roof. Previously they had a regular indoor outlet with a regular metal outlet cover. No weatherproofing or anything.
No matter what, the cable will be upgraded to 12-2.
jt8
“Those who wish to sing always find a song.” — Swedish Proverb
Replies
That is called a "masonry box," and is perfectly appropriate for the application. Indeed, the install and the brickwork appear neater than most.
Replacing the cable is likely to be a real challenge, unless you have access to the back side of that wall. There can be some debate over whether the brick counts as a 'wet' location or not ... if the brick is just a veneer, for decorative purposes, then the back face of the brick is certainly a wet location. This means "NO to Romex;" use MC or some other method until you're out of the wet zone.
Now ... it also looks like the receptacle is under a roof - and in the line of travel. Is it?
Those masonry boxes don't have a lot of room in them; if it's out of the walkway, then I'd start with an extension ring. This will project about an inch from the wall, and make installing the receptacle much easier. I'd top that off with a metal 'bubble' cover.
If you're actually planning to chisel out the old box, I'd look at Arlington Products. I believe they have boxes that will set the receptacle back into the wall - which means the cover projects much less.
Whatever product you use, I suspect that there will still be gaps where the gasket fails to fill in contours in the brick. I strongly encourage you to caulk this joint all around - I prefer the clear Lexel. This is not for weather-proofing, as much as to keep bugs from nesting inside.
Arlington makes a bunch of net stuff.http://www.aifittings.com/whnew74.htmI am think that the retrofit box would work if he enlarges the hole.http://www.aifittings.com/whnew89a.htmAnd this has nothing to do with the problem at hand, just thought that it was an interesting prouduct for wall mount TV's.http://www.aifittings.com/whnew98.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.
I have to agree you will probably need an extention to the box. I would install a GFCI receptacle and they require more space. The old wiring should be fine if the insulation is in good shape. Looks like #14 and 15 amp should be fine if it just a convenience outlet.
I would add a metal bubble cover. Hopefully your city does not require a "Continuous use cover". Even with an overhang I had to add one to my outlet. They are Big and Ugly. Probably don't want this on your porch.
If space is tight have the GFCI inside. Either feed from a GFCI receptacle or GFCI breaker.And for a cover look at the Arlinton stuff.That InOut cover looks a lot neeter than the Big Bubbles. But I have not seen one and not sure how are they are to fit on a box..
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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.