Electrical Outlet Question

Don't worry about it- that is why you have GFCI outlets. If the strings get wet enough to short out, the power will drop. Just make sure none of the bulb sockets or strings (especially the end-to-end connectors) are sitting where puddles will form if you get a sudden sunny afternoon. A plastic bag could actually do more harm than good, due to condensation if you get temp swings.

-- aem sends...

The end connectors, where one strand of lights plug into another one, are wrapped with a plastic bag around them, and then electrical tape to keep them from getting wet?

I have been doing this for years. Is this a bad idea?

Thanks.

Why not. Tie it on to prevent water entry, but be sure to leave an opening on the bottom for water to drain. You can also, replace the existing rain tight covers with "while in use" covers, which will properly solve your problem

1. You could put the CGFIs inside, and run cords through windows.

1. There are covers made to keep water out even with cords connected.

2. If you use bags, make sure the opening stays DOWN, otherwise you have water collectors.

Hi, For years I plug light strings into GFCI outlet outside. Now using all LED lights power consumption is very low. Not even single time GFCI tripped. I live in Southern Alberta. BTW, tonight it is near -20 deg. C with some snow on the ground. My lights are already in operation. You know pure water is not a good conductor.

It was 56 F here in Ga today. A little too cold for my tastes.

It was 46 F here in Michigan. I was out in just a t-shirt.

David

(Disclaimer - By "out" I mean that I was outside. And I was wearing pants, socks and shoes so technically I was wearing more than just a t- shirt. But I was not wearing a hat so I was topless.)

We plug ours into outdoor GFIs every year, & have to reset them a few times per season. December here rain is the most likely precip, and it will short something every time, no harm done, just reset them and go on. I'm switching to LEDs this year, time will tell if they fair better, worse, or about the same. I don't see any point in covering them.

I would think the pastic bag would create more problems than it solved.

Weatherproof "in use" covers. I paid $20 or so at Lowes for my first one. Liked it so much I bought a dozen on ebay for $4-5 each.

Search ebay for them.

Jim

Idiot. Where are you going to find pure water, outside of a laboratory?

I'd prefer nothing tied around an outlet. It is made for outdoor use. Keep it as dry as possible.

There might be places on eearth where the rain/snow water is less contaminated than that which falls in Pittsburgh or NYC

You can buy distilled water at the grocery store. It's pretty pure. Admittedly, not a pure as triple-distilled commonly found in a lab, but almost.

Rain. Rain starts off more pure than triple-distilled water. It may pick up some contaminants on the way down and some more as it drains off the roof. But in ten minutes or so, most of the possible contaminants have been washed away and subsequent drops are about as good as commercial distilled water.

Have you ever heard of acid rain???? So pure it is killing forests in some areas.

ideas? ideas for what? just leave it be. It'll be fine.

not a bad idea per se, just a waste of time.