rain and electrical connections

[Guest guest]

I was trying out the LOR boxes with a couple of lights outside-ok so I'm getting a jump start on Christmas :waycool: while getting a tan. Anyways- a big rain storm came along and my GFI receptacles. kept tripping. My question is what do you folks do about this????

is it possible to wrap the electrical ends with something that would keep the water out? I was thinking something like a heavy guage saran wrap.

Thoughts? comments?

thanks in advance.

[Guest guest]

Try to keep all your connections up off the ground. Taping and sealing connections can make matters worse by trapping moisture in the connection. Also check your wires, there may be a nick or slice that is causing the problem when it gets wet particularly if it's on a wire frame.

[Guest guest]

i use 6-outlet power strips attached to stakes and then cap them with either a baggy or the white kitty litter pails. The pails are better as they usually blend with the snow, when we have it!!!! This keeps the connections off the ground.

[Guest guest]

During rains or heavy mist, I must turn my display off. Our front yard here at the beach is only 10' deep and viewers stand right up and next to the planter lights within in touching distance. The entire display draws over 50 amps and I don't want any chance of anyone being hurt.

To minimize shock hazard and shorting problems, I do the following: Solder (and Plasti Dip the joints) additional wire lengths to the motif leads to be able to plug-in under patios or eves, use GFI outlet plugs, keep connections off the ground and place 99 cent plastic containers over major connection points (sm. brick under, plastic tub over and wrapped once with strapping tape).

[Guest guest]

GS wrote:

Try to keep all your connections up off the ground.

Bingo! Glenn hit the nail on the head here. A GFCI monitors the flow of current and any leakage(a fault to the earth, or through your body to the earth is a good example of a leak) causes an immediate trip. When you lay your connections on the ground and it rains you are setting up a perfect test of your GFCI. It will trip every time. I made some stakes out of 3/4" PVC(painted black) and stopped the nuisance trips dead.:laughing:

jeff