[Photobug]

I am trying to install two large outlets into an outdoor box. One GFCI on its own circuit and one switched outlet in the same box. I had to grind along the edges of the box to get room to even get the outlets to fit into the box. It is still fairly tight in there but does not give me room to finish the wiring and or secure the outlets in the box.

I could probably find another way to configure this box but would like to have the switched outlet to run a string light from the box. I could possibly back stab the wiring but hear bad things about this technique, and I am still not sure it would fit without the two outlets touching each other.

Here is the box I am trying to use.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/TAYMAC-...tra-Duty-In-Use-Clear-Cover-MM2420C/302212637

Is there a larger box available or is there a way to make this work?

 

[Photobug]

Here are photos of the receptacles and box. Tight fit.

 

[jeffnc]

The one on the right in the first pic can be slid to the right a bit. But then the cover plate might not fit right.

 

[hlopez77]

This is the weather cover and the plugs get mounted to the box first.can you take a pic of the box.

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[HandyAndyInNC]

Trade the GFCI outlet for a GFCI breaker. And like the others said, that is not the way that is to be installed. You have a link to a Weather Tight Cover, not a Rain Tight box. Visit an Electrical Supply house, they will have exactly what you need. Also, I would be more concerned about those two screws that close to one another.

 

[joecaption]

The GFI does not have to be installed in the outside box, it can be installed anyplace in that circuit and it will protect any outlet after that.
That would be far cheaper then buying a GFI breaker.

 

[jeffnc]

Also, I would be more concerned about those two screws that close to one another.

That was my immediate thought, but the one outlet has recessed screws, and they both can take wires from the back, so it should be OK.

 

[rjniles]

You are trying to install them in the in-use cover. Install them in the box, then install the cover.

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[Jim Port]

A gfi does not use backstab connections. They use backwired. Entirely different.

 

[AllanJ]

If the wires are placed in the holes in back and screws hold the wires in place or release the wires then you can feel free to use the holes in back and not worry about loose connections.

 

[Missouri Bound]

The reason they do not fit is that you are not installing them correctly.
The receptacles get mounted to the box, not the cover.
No instructions with that cover?

 

[Photobug]

The reason they do not fit is that you are not installing them correctly.
The receptacles get mounted to the box, not the cover.

The receptacles do mount to the box through the cover.

Initially I had to cut back on the cover to get the receptacles through. A little more plastic removal and I made it fit. I back wired one of these and wired the other using the screws.

 

[rjniles]

The receptacles do mount to the box through the cover.



Initially I had to cut back on the cover to get the receptacles through. A little more plastic removal and I made it fit. I back wired one of these and wired the other using the screws.

You mount the receptacles to the box then install the cover over the devices. The devices do not go thru the cover.

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[JBoot]

Seem to fit here:

 

[Photobug]

You mount the receptacles to the box then install the cover over the devices. The devices do not go thru the cover.

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I had a mud ring and it was not going to work. The only screw holes were the ones holding the receptacles so I improvised. It is working now and looks good.

 

[rjniles]

It sounds like you are trying to install a mud ring on the wrong type box.

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[Photobug]

It sounds like you are trying to install a mud ring on the wrong type box.

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More than likely. I made this project way harder than it needed to be but am only a few days from completing it.

 

[seharper]

The receptacles do mount to the box through the cover.

Initially I had to cut back on the cover to get the receptacles through. A little more plastic removal and I made it fit.

No, you're still installing it wrong. The receps do not go on that side of the cover. The fact that you had to hack it to make it fit should have been your clue that you're doing it wrong.

You're not even *allowed* to modify anything; in fact you're now at a Code violation (110.3B) because you modified the in-use cover so it can no longer function as intended.

More than likely. I made this project way harder than it needed to be but am only a few days from completing it.

Yes you are. So learn from that. What are you doing wrong? You're a) hastily forming opinions of how things should go together, b) betting all the marbles on that opinion, c) refusing to learn from the instructions, d) refusing to learn from experienced others, and e) hyperfocusing on the immediate problem without thinking about the whole picture.

NEC 110.3(B) requires that you read instructions. It's mandatory.

I'll grant you some instructions can be hard to read owing to the requirement that UL approve them as part of the UL listing, but they certainly do anticipate situations like the one giving you hives.

 

[ktownskier]

No, you're still installing it wrong. The receps do not go on that side of the cover. The fact that you had to hack it to make it fit should have been your clue that you're doing it wrong.

You're not even *allowed* to modify anything; in fact you're now at a Code violation (110.3B) because you modified the in-use cover so it can no longer function as intended.



Yes you are. So learn from that. What are you doing wrong? You're a) hastily forming opinions of how things should go together, b) betting all the marbles on that opinion, c) refusing to learn from the instructions, d) refusing to learn from experienced others, and e) hyperfocusing on the immediate problem without thinking about the whole picture.

NEC 110.3(B) requires that you read instructions. It's mandatory.

I'll grant you some instructions can be hard to read owing to the requirement that UL approve them as part of the UL listing, but they certainly do anticipate situations like the one giving you hives.

Or as we in the IT world like to say: "RTFM" read the friggin manual!!

I used to write them, and I took great care in trying to take into account as many different scenarios as possible.

And I was also the main support person, and the majority of the questions were answered in the manual.

Oh well, you can lead a horse to water.....