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Joined: Aug 2007
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If I install a receptacle in a car wash bay, or A medical research lab area (with water around Wet location).
Do I need one?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,476 Likes: 3
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Yes. The 'industrial' exception has been tightened up considerably. That's the code.
Realistically though .... the one in the car wash is going to be busted off within minutes of your leaving. I'd rather see an intact weather cover, than a broken bubble cover.
As for the research lab ... I'd go the extra mile, gat a metal one, and use tamper-resistant screws. Those dweebs love to play around.
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Yes. The 'industrial' exception has been tightened up considerably. That's the code. 406.8(B)(1) Exception: Has changed? 406.8(B)(2)(b). could I not say that an outside rec on a dwelling is for a weed whacker? therefor not needing a 'bubble' cover? 406.8(A)- covered porch no 'bubble' required? Inspectors demand it (am I wrong?).
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Joined: Jan 2001
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Leland,
406.8(B)(1) exception is new and IMO allows you to get away from the bubble cover in a car wash even though you are not high pressure washing the wall or receptacle cover. I could be all wet in my understanding of this. Also, there are metal bubble covers on the market.
406.8(B)(2) applies to receptacles other than the ones in (B)(1) such as a 30 amp or larger receptacle.
Lastly, I've always had problems with damp locations. I've never seen a really good definition of a damp location. How far back under the porch roof is the receptacle? If the AHJ feels that the wind could blow rain back that far, then it is a wet location. I've always stuck to the 45 degree installation. If you draw a line extending back from the edge of the roof 45 degrees and the outlet or other equipment is above the line, it is a damp location, below the line a wet location. If the wind is strong enough to blow the rain at a greater angle, a bubble cover is the least of your worries.
Tom
Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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But where do you plug in your pressure washer??
Assume for a moment you want to "exceed" the code and put in a bubble. A standard bubble wouldn't work here, and would just create false confidence. It would have to be a NEMA-4X bubble; do they even exist?
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Joined: Jan 2001
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The OP didn't state if the car wash bay was a typical coin operated installation. If it is coin operated, the pressure pump is usually hard wired and located in a dry location.
If you're plugging in a pressure washer & are concerned about the receptacle getting soaked, install a pendant receptacle that has rubber boots that seal the connectors when you're plugged in.
Regardless of what you do, sooner or later some bonehead is going to see if that wet location connection can withstand the 3500 + psi that these things can put out.
Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Re-Read- 406.8(B)- Bubble is required. The Exception is not needed. Heck, If your plugged in you need a WP cover,If not, WP cover still needed. ...??...
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 10,007 Likes: 37
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Pressure washer plugs usually have built in GFCIs. I have never seen a bubble that would hold one and still close.
Greg Fretwell
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Joined: Apr 2002
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Greg: With due respect, my pressure washer has a GFI in the cord, approx. 18" from the male cap.
John
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Joined: Jul 2004
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My 5 HP washer (30a 240v) has that in the cord but the 120v baby pressure washer has it in the plug.
Greg Fretwell
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Joined: May 2007
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