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How To Cover Outdoor Electrical Box

How can I hide my electric box outside?

Here are some simple ideas for how you can disguise these unsightly outdoor eyesores quickly and easily. 1.) Go for a Garbage Can Shed. 2.) Conceal an AC Unit. 3.) Contain Clutter. 4.) Corral the Garden Hose. 5.) Mask Meters. 6.) Cover Up Unsightly Cement. 7.) Organize Garden Tools. 8.) Strategically Place Garden Decor.

How do you cover outside outlets?

As earlier indicated, the simplest way to protect outdoor plugs from rain is to use a plastic box with an opening on the bottom. Most outdoor outlets designed for homes usually come with spring covers or flippies. While closed, these covers are completely weatherproof.

How do you protect outdoor electrical outlets in the rain?

How to Protect Outdoor Outlets From Rain Install the Right Kind of Outlets. Which outlet or receptacles do you need for outdoor use? Install GFCI Protection. You need GFCI protection for your home in any location that may come into contact with water. Install Bubble Covers for Outdoor Outlets.

Do outdoor electrical outlets need to be covered?

Since outdoor outlets are exposed to the elements, such as rain and salty air, outlet covers protect them from damage. Any outlet that’s outside should have a cover, even if the outlet is never used.

What are the covers for outlets called?

Wall plates, also known as switch plates, cover your home’s outlets and light switches, keeping wires out of sight and away from fingers. With a wide variety of colors and materials to choose from, wall plates can complement the decor of any room.

What happens if an outdoor outlet gets wet?

If an outdoor electrical outlet gets wet, serious issues can occur. A powerful electric shock can injure a person or even cause death. When the outlet becomes wet, the flow of electricity will run in the water. When this happens, anyone who is not observant enough will receive an electric shock.

How do you protect electrical wires from rain?

Use Cling Wrap. Industrial strength pallet wrap is good way to weatherize your connections when using extension cords outside. Wrap the connection portion of the cords tightly, using as much of the plastic wrap as needed to keep out the water and prevent electric shock.

How do you cover a breaker box for decorating?

Innovative ways to hide a circuit breaker box Incorporate colourful paints. One of the simplest ways to decorate your circuit breaker panel is to incorporate colourful paints. Hang a picture or a painting. Design a storage cabinet. Make it a vanity corner. Turn it into a message board.

What should I plant in front of a utility box?

Plants to Plant in Front of a Utility Box Shrubs. You can plant shrubs in groups and prune them to form a hedge or you can choose a single, larger shrub in free form to conceal the utility box. Dwarf Conifers. Climbing Vines. Ornamental Grasses.

How do I cover my gas meter outside?

Use Tall Plants Install plants in front of the gas meter, leaving about 4 feet between the plants and the meter. Pick plants that grow tall enough to hide the meter completely but are simple to trim. Keep the back of the plants pruned so the plants don’t encroach the 4-foot open space.

How do you hide a pad on a mounted transformer?

Use gravel, wood chips, grass or low ground cover around the transformer. Flowers are okay but may get trampled if we have to work on it.

Do I need GFCI for outdoor outlets?

Plus, the National Electrical Code requires all outdoor outlets to be GFCI outlets (ground fault circuit interrupter outlets). GFCI outlets trip and turn off automatically when there’s a current leakage or short circuit, which helps prevent fires and accidental shocks.

How safe are outdoor sockets?

Therefore, it’s important to know how resistant your sockets are via their IP rating. External sockets need a minimum rating of IP56, so even when you’re jet-washing the decking, they’ll stay watertight and protected.

What is a bubble cover?

The bubble covers for outdoor outlets is ideal for wet locations because they provide weatherproof protection from water whether or not an outlet is in use. A bubble cover lowers over an outlet and covers it even while an electrical cord is plugged into it.

What are outlet covers made of?

They are generally constructed of plastic, unbreakable thermoplastic or stainless steel and are available in Standard, Midway and Jumbo sizes.

Are outlet plug covers safe?

Box outlet covers protect the entire outlet. They can be left attached even when the outlet’s in use, and they can be easily removed to re-expose the outlet when needed. Box covers are a good alternative to plastic plugs or sliding outlets because they protect the entire outlet and secure to the wall.

Is covering an outlet a fire hazard?

Yes, just ensure it’s not touching any metal part of a socket. Ensure all sockets in that outlet are firmly inserted in. Loose sockets are a source of heat, which could ignite the fibers of blanket and create fire.

What happens if electrical box gets wet?

If water has been entering your panel for a period of months or years, corrosion could be ruining the connections between the service cable wiring, the branch circuit wiring, and the screw terminals inside the box. Any corrosion will have to be scraped off the screw terminals and wires.