Thread: Tankless WH Receptacle Cover Plate

Exterior wall-mounted tankless water heater. Receptacle cover plate required to be listed and rated for damp area? In-use type?

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No, not required.

I would certainly question whether this is merely a damp or a wet location. The picture does not show enough of the surrounding area.

With that said here is what the NEC 2011 says:

406.9 Receptacles in Damp or Wet Locations.
(A) Damp Locations.

A receptacle installed outdoors in a
location protected from the weather or in other damp locations
shall have an enclosure for the receptacle that is
weatherproof when the receptacle is covered (attachment
plug cap not inserted and receptacle covers closed).
An installation suitable for wet locations shall also be
considered suitable for damp locations.
A receptacle shall be considered to be in a location
protected from the weather where located under roofed
open porches, canopies, marquees, and the like, and will
not be subjected to a beating rain or water runoff. All 15-
and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt nonlocking receptacles

shall be a listed weather-resistant type.

(B) Wet Locations.
(1) 15- and 20-Ampere Receptacles in a Wet Location.

15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt receptacles installed in
a wet location shall have an enclosure that is weatherproof
whether or not the attachment plug cap is inserted. For other
than one- or two-family dwellings, an outlet box hood installed
for this purpose shall be listed, and where installed on
an enclosure supported from grade as described in 314.23(B)
or as described in 314.23(F) shall be identified as “extra-duty.”
All 15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt nonlocking-type

receptacles shall be listed weather-resistant type.

It looks like it is inside the WH (under the cover) --not required..

I would say that a "Damp"rated receptacle would be required.

E4002.8 Damp locations. A receptacle installed outdoors in a location protected from the weather or in other damp locations shall have an enclosure for the receptacle that is weatherproof when the receptacle cover(s) is closed and an attachment plug cap is not inserted. An installation suitable for wet locations shall also be considered suitable for damp locations.

Originally Posted by Roland Miller

It looks like it is inside the WH (under the cover) --not required..

Even if you have an outlet on a covered porch it needs to be dam proof. Really little difference with a cover on a tankless WH and a roof over a covered porch. Granted, the WH has a lid that will close and cover it but it is still outside which is a damp location.

Originally Posted by Scott Patterson

I would say that a "Damp"rated receptacle would be required.

E4002.8 Damp locations. A receptacle installed outdoors in a location protected from the weather or in other damp locations shall have an enclosure for the receptacle that is weatherproof when the receptacle cover(s) is closed and an attachment plug cap is not inserted. An installation suitable for wet locations shall also be considered suitable for damp locations.

I agree. However this was not the question

I am pretty sure the answer is yes, it must have a cover plate listed for damp locations. Hard to tell from the answers here sometimes. They are certainly agathokakological . . .

Is there a picture that shows more of the surrounding areas?

Originally Posted by Jim Port

Is there a picture that shows more of the surrounding areas?

No. The unit is installed directly into a brick veneer exterior wall with no roof overhang.

I wouldn't classify this as a damp location. It is not "partially protected", but fully protected by the WH cover. And even dry locations can be temporarily subject to dampness or wetness and still be a dry area. Let's not take the "C" out of Common Sense. Depending on the year of installation a damp area receptacle wouldn't even make sense given this.

Originally Posted by Aaron Miller

I am pretty sure the answer is yes, it must have a cover plate listed for damp locations. Hard to tell from the answers here sometimes. They are certainly agathokakological . . .

I replied to the other half of the duplicate thread before I saw this half of it - yes, it is required, but that is not all that is required ...

Originally Posted by Jim Port

Is there a picture that shows more of the surrounding areas?

Jim,
this is a fairly typical N. TX ext. garage wall tankless poorly installed

Hmmm.. may not needed as long as the cover keeps it dry. Exterior panels, disconnects, garages, etc... But, should it be GFCI ?


Andrew Constantine
Charlotte NC Home Inspector
http://inspectprohomeinspections.co

Thanks Barry,

Based on that picture I would say that a bubble cover would be needed and a WR receptacle along with GFI protection.

Originally Posted by BARRY ADAIR

Jim,
this is a fairly typical N. TX ext. garage wall tankless poorly installed

Barry:

At least, mine had a sediment trap.

It was not intended to be a duplicate thread. The site chose the very moment I pushed the post button to have a little database experience.

Originally Posted by Aaron Miller

Barry:

At least, mine had a sediment trap.

Aaron
hard to beat a cash cow like that, short report
all the best

The question was about the cover for the receptacle and my opinion is it does not need a water proof cover. It has one just about typical of an exterior electric panel.

On the other hand I have always written up the need for GFCI protection which I always get the come back from fellow Home Inspectors (the ones that inspected for the builder in certain areas) that it is not needed. Unlike almost all electricians that have seen my write up have agreed that due to the particular circumstances in the area of use it does need GFCI protection and they always add the receptacle. Well almost all electricians. The builders hardly ever argue when I explain the reasoning to them, they stare off in the distance thinking about it and agree (not all of course).

Originally Posted by Aaron Miller

Barry:

At least, mine had a sediment trap.

AM -

Well, heck, you are in tall cotton with the sediment trap !!!

Certainly can't expect both electrical and plumbing to be on par.

Originally Posted by Jim Port

Thanks Barry,

Based on that picture I would say that a bubble cover would be needed and a WR receptacle along with GFI protection.

Jim,

Don't forget about it also being TR.

Originally Posted by Robert Meier

Jim, are you saying that this receptacle will be subject to the saturation with water or other liquids, such as vehicle washing areas or it's in an unprotected locations exposed to weather? Doesn't this unit have a cover.

I was basing that on this picture provided by Barry



I don't see an exterior cover over the unit and can see rain hitting the exposed receptacle. If the cover was removed for the picture and is normally installed I would have a different opinion about the bubble cover.

Originally Posted by Jim Port

I don't see an exterior cover over the unit and can see rain hitting the exposed receptacle. If the cover was removed for the picture and is normally installed I would have a different opinion about the bubble cover.

If that did have a cover which was removed, I would question whether or not the enclosure was listed and rated for that appliance to be installed in it, and, even without a cover, I am questioning: a) whether that enclosure is listed and rated for that appliance; and, b) whether or not that appliance is listed and rated to be installed in such an enclosure with the obvious lack of clearances around the appliance; and, c) if that enclosure is plastic and not metal ... I doubt that appliance is allowed in that enclosure.

Then, there are all the other things I pointed out previously.

And a cover would likely interfere with combustion air and venting.

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

If that did have a cover which was removed, I would question whether or not the enclosure was listed and rated for that appliance to be installed in it, and, even without a cover, I am questioning: a) whether that enclosure is listed and rated for that appliance; and, b) whether or not that appliance is listed and rated to be installed in such an enclosure with the obvious lack of clearances around the appliance; and, c) if that enclosure is plastic and not metal ... I doubt that appliance is allowed in that enclosure.

Then, there are all the other things I pointed out previously.

And a cover would likely interfere with combustion air and venting.

They are metal and rated. I don't have a picture handy.T hey do have a louvered venst at the upper part of the door with the openings down as in the metal punched so it sheds rain. They seal about the same as an electric panel that is used at the exterior. Quite common on new homes here.

Obviously, well . . . maybe not for some of you, the cover was removed in order to take the photo of the offending receptacle plate. Yes, these tankless water heater units do come equipped with louvered covers. No, they are not similar to exterior electrical distribution panel covers. I have yet to see one of those that is louvered. Perhaps that would be because they are not gas-fired electrical distribution panels . . .

Originally Posted by Aaron Miller

Obviously, well . . . maybe not for some of you, the cover was removed in order to take the photo of the offending receptacle plate. Yes, these tankless water heater units do come equipped with louvered covers. No, they are not similar to exterior electrical distribution panel covers. I have yet to see one of those that is louvered. Perhaps that would be because they are not gas-fired electrical distribution panels . . .

I meant covering as in protecting the unit from water

Originally Posted by Ted Menelly

They are metal and rated.

They are rated ... for what and for what use?

Is that water heater rated for use in that enclosure? Even if the enclosure is rated for exterior use, that water heater may not be rated for use in that enclosure for multiple reasons, such as insufficient room for combustion air, etc., (see my other post for some, but not all, possible concerns).

If that water heater is rated for use outdoors, unless it is also rated for use in an enclosure, it may not be being used in accordance to its listing and labeling.

While I did not find a unit which looked exactly like the unit in the photo, I did find several which looked very similar to it. Each of the ones I found require side clearances which vary from 1/2" to greater than 2" to non-combustible material, and they all stated side clearance of 6" to combustible material (which would be the framing inside the wall, possibly the insulation, etc.).

Not sure if Barry did this or not, but when I see something like that with the installation instructions tucked into it, I skim through the installation instructions looking for obvious installation errors, such as is it allowed in that enclosure, top-bottom-back-and side clearances, etc..