# Electricians outdoor electrician advise. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 29, 2014, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-outdoor-electrician-advise/694322 "2014-07-29T14:33:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MannyL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2014, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-outdoor-electrician-advise/694322/1 "2014-07-29T14:33:46Z")
I have an power outlet on the back of my house. It’s a standard 3 prong two receptacle outlet. I want to put a stereo and a projector out there full time and occasionally plug in a laptop. I know most power strips are not safe to use outside so what is the safest way (other than having an electrician add outlets) for me to do this? ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2014, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-outdoor-electrician-advise/694322/2 "2014-07-29T15:41:47Z")
> [@MannyL](#): > > I have an power outlet on the back of my house. It’s a standard 3 prong two receptacle outlet. > > I want to put a stereo and a projector out there full time and occasionally plug in a laptop. > > I know most power strips are not safe to use outside so what is the safest way (other than having an electrician add outlets) for me to do this? I’m not an electrician but I’m going to assume that if it’s weather protected enough that you’re willing to leave a stereo and a projector out there a power strip would be no big deal. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2014, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-outdoor-electrician-advise/694322/3 "2014-07-29T15:42:01Z")
the receptacle should be a GFI or protected by a GFI breaker. is this a wet location (open wall) or under a roof? ---
**Author:** ![MannyL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2014, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-outdoor-electrician-advise/694322/4 "2014-07-29T16:23:51Z")
> [@Moonlitherial](#): > > I’m not an electrician but I’m going to assume that if it’s weather protected enough that you’re willing to leave a stereo and a projector out there a power strip would be no big deal. I was going to leave the stereo and projector in a plastic box that is supposed to weatherproof. ---
**Author:** ![MannyL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2014, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-outdoor-electrician-advise/694322/5 "2014-07-29T16:27:04Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > the receptacle should be a GFI or protected by a GFI breaker. > > is this a wet location (open wall) or under a roof? It’s an open wall under a roof overhang. It’s near a water spigot that sprays water when it’s turned on. (That is another task to fix) ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2014, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-outdoor-electrician-advise/694322/6 "2014-07-29T16:31:54Z")
What about an outside adapter, like [this one](http://www.amazon.com/Master-Electrician-KAB-3FLU-Grounded-Outdoor/dp/B0042YYXBM/ref=sr_1_5/185-7589992-5667009?s=lamps-light&ie=UTF8&qid=1406651434&sr=1-5)? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2014, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-outdoor-electrician-advise/694322/7 "2014-07-29T18:09:31Z")
I second the GFI recommendation. I prefer having an outdoor circuit protected with a GFI breaker. ---
**Author:** ![MannyL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2014, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-outdoor-electrician-advise/694322/8 "2014-07-29T18:12:13Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > What about an outside adapter, like [this one](http://www.amazon.com/Master-Electrician-KAB-3FLU-Grounded-Outdoor/dp/B0042YYXBM/ref=sr_1_5/185-7589992-5667009?s=lamps-light&ie=UTF8&qid=1406651434&sr=1-5)? I like that but with only 3 reviews I am guarded. If it was up to me I would have an electrician install 4 outlets with locking covers on the corner of the house where I will be but that is not an option. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2014, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-outdoor-electrician-advise/694322/9 "2014-07-29T18:20:02Z")
My local hardware store has these outdoor outlet covers that are basically a large plastic cover where the power cord comes out underneath. If you are going to put your stuff in a cabinet (“plastic box”), just put your power strip inside the cabinet as well. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2014, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-outdoor-electrician-advise/694322/10 "2014-07-29T18:24:40Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I second the GFI recommendation. I prefer having an outdoor circuit protected with a GFI breaker. It’s not a recommendation, it’s code for wet locations. Modern ones are installed in a plastic box with a hinged lid. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2014, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-outdoor-electrician-advise/694322/11 "2014-07-29T18:27:41Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > My local hardware store has these outdoor outlet covers that are basically a large plastic cover where the power cord comes out underneath. If you are going to put your stuff in a cabinet (“plastic box”), just put your power strip inside the cabinet as well. That’s my suggestion as well. Take it a step further and unplug it from the wall when you’re not using it, especially if it’s going to be more than a few days. Also, if this is a permanent fixture, find away to seal the hole shut where the cord passes through the box or you’ll end up with mice living in the box. Finally, before you start the project, fix the water spigot that sprays water on the outlet. Do that first. That’s just asking for problems. Even if you have a GFI outlet, you’re still going to end up with corrosion.