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#52742 06/04/05 07:58 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
I put in a bunch of outside lights this spring and after about a foot of rain in the last couple of days the GFCI tripped. It turns out the FS boxes filled up with water that came in around the plugs in the top of the boxes.
Do you folks seal them with something?
Drill holes in the bottom of the box?
Something else?


Greg Fretwell
#52743 06/04/05 08:15 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
I
Moderator
Greg many times I do both.

Silicone sealant on the threads of top hubs.

Drain hole drilled on the bottom of the box.

Water always seems to find a way in.


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
#52744 06/04/05 11:31 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
"We don't need any stinking 110.3" ;-)

I was watching for black helicopters while I was drilling the holes. I am going with 3M 111 for the top plugs. (one of my favorite sealants) It is similar to spark plug boot grease. Real sticky silicone that does not harden. I actually have some swimming pool pipe stuck together with this and they are holding fine. This is the temporary plumbing for where my waterfall will connect.


Greg Fretwell
#52745 06/05/05 12:47 AM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 26
Z
Member
I take my dikes and cut a v shaped notch in the bottom edge of the box for water to escape and of course seal up the top plug
w gasket seal. The product i like to keep on hand is hi temp rv silicone seal. It stays flexible and is good where heat is an issue.

correction: i just noticed that the post was about FS boxes and those would need to be drilled. I was refering to BELL boxes which are soft enough to be notched w cutters.

[This message has been edited by zero76 (edited 06-05-2005).]


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