Code Change Summary: Revisions were made for receptacles requiring an extra duty outlet box hood.

For several code cycles, outlet box hoods, also called in-use covers or bubble covers, have been required for 15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt receptacles installed in wet locations. They must also be weatherproof whether or not the attachment plug cap is inserted. In the 2011 NEC^®, these types of covers were only required to be listed and identified as “extra duty” for other than one- or two-family dwellings and only if installed on an enclosure supported from grade as described in 314.23(B) or 314.23(F). Outlet box hoods used for receptacles in wet locations of one- or two-family dwellings were not required by this code section to be listed or built extra duty.

In the 2014 NEC^®, the rules have changed. The rules are no longer different depending on if the receptacles are used in wet locations of dwellings or commercial use, or if the receptacles are mounted on a post supported from grade versus wall mounted. As well, all of these types of outlet box hoods must be listed and identified as “extra duty”.

These covers take a lot of abuse and requiring them to be listed for heavy duty purposes will hopefully ensure that the cover remains in place for years.

Below is a preview of the NEC^®.  See the actual NEC^® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on the “free access” tab and select the applicable year of NFPA 70 (National Electrical code).

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