So we had the birdbath and a string of decorative lights plugged into this GFI protected outlet. I found a ton of dead and alive earwigs in the bottom of the outlet box. We had a bucket over it to keep all the rain off/out of it. The 15 amp circuit breaker in the main box did not trip. Any ideas folks?

Moisture induced corrosion, then high resistance, heat and failure.

(slow burn, no ground fault)

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
Moisture induced corrosion, then high resistance, heat and failure.

(slow burn, no ground fault)

Thanks Monkey. I've just never experienced one get this outta control. The smoke was horribly acrid too.

I prefer CGFI breakers over outlets, and don't mind the cost and time to replace them.

Have had multiple issues with outlets years ago, and never had trouble with a breaker.

I have had regular breakers go bad, but very few.

In Florida it was the house geckos that lay eggs and get zapped when they touch exposed brass screws on the sides of outlets and cause havoc with outside facing outlets.

Wow, never seen that before. They do fail. I just replaced one that was tripping prematuraly and got tired of having to reset it. It was inside of the home. I'm really curious what could have caused that kind of a short. Suspect Monkeys description is accurate...but....whew.

Side note, the Home Depot has the industrial gfci made by leviton for sale cheaper than the regular one. (it's a beefed up version). https://www.homedepot.com/p/Le...-GFTR2-5LW/301361245

quote:

Originally posted by jimb888:
Wow, never seen that before. They do fail. I just replaced one that was tripping prematuraly and got tired of having to reset it. It was inside of the home. I'm really curious what could have caused that kind of a short. Suspect Monkeys description is accurate...but....whew.

Side note, the Home Depot has the industrial gfci made by leviton for sale cheaper than the regular one. (it's a beefed up version). https://www.homedepot.com/p/Le...-GFTR2-5LW/301361245

Thanks for the info. I'll look into that. Seems you get what ya pay for...

I am not sure what was installed, but they do make specific outdoor GFCI outlets made with stainless steel. I put one on my house.
Sigmonkeys idea is better. If this one breaks I'll go Sigmonkeys route.

Hard to see if that was a wet location box, but if not definitely get one. It doesn't look like that was, perhaps just an outdoor one. They are different.

If you knew you needed a bucket, sounds like you definitely need a wet box.

I have the same opinion as Sig Monkey, I pulled all the GFI outlets and replaced with breakers.

Way less problems

Regardless of using a CGFI outlet or not, no matter what weather resistant outlet and enclosures, you have to check them periodically as the moisture, corrosion and "critter crap" build up will still be an issue, and the "melted" outlet/fire hazard still exists.

A ground fault safety of the breaker will offer protection when a CGFI outlet's protection will have long failed before the outlet stops working for the appliance connected.

Areas that have high humidity, or often wet/damp, and especially if near pool chemicals outgassing (pump rooms/houses).

I have seen pump houses with switches, outlets, light fixtures, equipment and j-boxes where chlorine storage and chlorine serviced equipment/tanks exhibit failures in a few months, requiring a lot of rehab to mitigate exposure. (keeping chemicals in sealed containers in separate ventilated enclosures/structures)

(some Cap'n Oblivious thoughts...)