Raleigh Weather Proof Enclosures - What Is Their Purpose?
During festive seasons, cities across the US are dotted with lights, with many people enthusiastically hiring electricians to install extra switches and receptacle outlets outdoors. There has also been an increase in the demand for landscape lighting in a lot of cities in the US. While many home owners natives are busy adding additional electrical switches and wiring outside to enhance the beauty of their homes, they are not taking adequate care when it comes to harsh climatic conditions and other natural elements. This results in damaged and broken electrical wiring or outlets that prove to be dangerous and are major reasons behind electric shocks and fire hazards.
Weatherproof enclosures to reduce the risk of electrical hazards
Alarmed with the rising number of fires across the US due to unprotected electrical circuits, the NEC has now made it mandatory to use proper weatherproof enclosures.
Raleigh electricians will install these enclosures to protect not just the electric circuit located outdoors, but also to protect indoor receptacles located in damp places.
Section 406.B(1) of the National Electrical Code 2005 states that all the 125-250V, 15/20A electrical receptacles located in damp areas of your home should be covered with a weatherproof enclosure. Using these enclosures would not hinder the normal operation of any electrical outlets or devices, but would instead keep them safe from natural elements, insects, and pests.
Check NEMA ratings while buying weatherproof enclosures
There are numerous weatherproof covers in the market. This fact alone may often leave you confused as to which cover will make your electrical circuit safer. You should leave the job of finding a good enclosure to an experienced electrician. However, to create awareness among the masses, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association as issued a set of guidelines that should be taken into consideration while buying the protection device for electrical equipment.
For the benefit of buyers, weatherproof enclosures now come with a NEMA rating, as well as an Ingress Protection (IP) rating. To provide adequate protection to your outdoor electrical circuit, it is advisable to buy a weatherproof enclosure that has a NEMA rating of 3-6, and an IP rating of 66-67.
These enclosures are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials based on your requirements. It is important to invest in good quality weatherproof covers as they not only increase the life of your electronic gadgets and outlets, but also make your home far more safe and secure.
