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Tamper proof receptacles and 2008 NEC

10071 Views 21 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  plummen
Okay, just was doing alittle reading on 2008 NEC since I'm guessing it might apply when I start wiring my garage, but the tamper proof receptacles kind of caught my attention.

So I have an open permit for the house where I already have my rough inspection done, which I did before my state adopted 2008. (Rough inspection in Feb.) 2008 NEC went into effect in March. Will I typically be held to the NEC in effect at the time of the permit? That was my understanding when I asked about it...

But for the garage, I think I'd be held to 2008... I'm putting in a subpanel and fully wiring the garage will be much later, but for now I want lighting, the garage door openner and some outlets. My permit fees are by the number of circuits, any code reason I couldn't put all of these on one circuit?
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sorry dude your screwed and have to cough up the extra for TP plugs. depending on sqft you may be able to put them on one circuit.
Most areas require the code cycle at the time of permit.

Remember that the garage door opener must be on a gfci rprotected circuit, and be tamper proof if you are on the 2008 cycle.
I don't mind doing the gfci and tamper-proof stuff if I have to as long as I know ahead of time, the bigger problem would be finding out I need to re-do work and re-buy materials and re-take time off work to get re-inspected. TP doesn't sound that much more expensive, the 10-packs are $10ish so it's not gonna kill me.

So let me ask this, if I did it as an ammendment to the permit I have open? Nah, I'd rather do this seperate anyway. The permit I have open got tied to foundation work I'm doing that is going to take me forever.
You really need to talk to your inspector. It doesn't matter what is posted on this forum, if the inspector or local codes want it at different way, that is the way you have to do it. It is just like your Sch 80 PVC issue. Everyone here says you should be able to run Sch 40 but you are running RMC because of your inspector.
Do exterior receptacles need to be tamper proof?
Do exterior receptacles need to be tamper proof?
Yes, they need to be TR WR rated.
Wow, I have been reading this forum for about 3 months and this is the first I have heard of tamper proof receptacles.

It's just no fun being a curious kid in this day and age. :jester:
And I have never heard of weather or water resistant receptacles.

But I did put on WR covers (when closed).
2008 NEC:

406.8 Receptacles in Damp or Wet Locations.

(A) Damp Locations. A receptacle installed outdoors in a
location protected from the weather or in other damp locations
shall have an enclosure for the receptacle that is
weatherproof when the receptacle is covered (attachment
plug cap not inserted and receptacle covers closed).
An installation suitable for wet locations shall also be
considered suitable for damp locations.
A receptacle shall be considered to be in a location
protected from the weather where located under roofed
open porches, canopies, marquees, and the like, and will
not be subjected to a beating rain or water runoff. All 15-
and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt nonlocking receptacles
shall be a listed weather-resistant type.

(B) Wet Locations.
(1) 15- and 20-Ampere Receptacles in a Wet Location.
15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt receptacles installed in a
wet location shall have an enclosure that is weatherproof
whether or not the attachment plug cap is inserted.
All 15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt nonlocking receptacles
shall be listed weather-resistant type.

406.11 Tamper-Resistant Receptacles in Dwelling
Units. In all areas specified in 210.52, all 125-volt, 15-
and 20-ampere receptacles shall be listed tamper resistant
receptacles.
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Do exterior receptacles need to be tamper proof?
Weather resistant gfi's ,with in use covers.
Yeah I know,where does it end? :whistling2:
Wow, I have been reading this forum for about 3 months and this is the first I have heard of tamper proof receptacles.

It's just no fun being a curious kid in this day and age. :jester:
Ive mentioned it numerous times and been called an idiot many times for my troubles! :laughing:
Ive mentioned it numerous times and been called an idiot many times for my troubles! :laughing:
I musta missed ur comments or didn't realize what they were until I did a image search.
I experienced my first arc flash at age 5. :laughing:
Weather resistant gfi's ,with in use covers.
Yeah I know,where does it end? :whistling2:
The GFI doesn't need to be outside but if it is, it has to be TR WR rated and under an in use cover as plummen said. The old flap covers are pretty much illegal.
I know what you’re saying, but flap covers aren’t illegal or prohibited. I think there’s mis-conception as to their use, kind of like the GFI required within 6 feet of a water source myth. As you can see in 406.8(A) Damp locations, they’re still allowed. They’re also still allowed as per 406.8(B)(2)(b) {posted below}. Sometimes it’s one of those situations of rather than arguing with an inspector, just install an in-use cover and be done with it.

2008 NEC:
406.8 Receptacles in Damp or Wet Locations.
(B) Wet Locations.

(2) Other Receptacles. All other receptacles installed in a
wet location shall comply with (B)(2)(a) or (B)(2)(b).
(a) A receptacle installed in a wet location, where the
product intended to be plugged into it is not attended while
in use, shall have an enclosure that is weatherproof with the
attachment plug cap inserted or removed.
(b) A receptacle installed in a wet location where the
product intended to be plugged into it will be attended
while in use (e.g., portable tools) shall have an enclosure
that is weatherproof when the attachment plug is removed.
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Just a note for 2011 NEC:

While this has part of the code for many years:
406.4(D)
(3) Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupters. Ground-fault
circuit-interrupter protected receptacles shall be provided
where replacements are made at receptacle outlets that are
required to be so protected elsewhere in this Code.

This has been added :

(5) Tamper-Resistant Receptacles. Listed tamper-resistant
receptacles shall be provided where replacements are made at
receptacle outlets that are required to be tamper-resistant elsewhere
in this Code.

(6) Weather-Resistant Receptacles. Weather-resistant receptacles
shall be provided where replacements are made at
receptacle outlets that are required to be so protected elsewhere
in this Code.
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Fancy term for a gfi with wr stamped on it that still needs to be used with a weather/water proof in use cover.
Basically another way to squeeze extra money out of all of us! :laughing:
I can't put those bubble covers on my place, they suck, besides, if it is raining I won't be using the receptacles. I refuse. I have the nice thin durable WR not in use covers.

Do the WR receptacles have a stamp that is visible after installation?
Yep,theres a big ol WR stamped on outside of them :)
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