3

I have patio wall lights and I'd like to add additional lighting in the garden on the same switch. So I have installed an outdoor outlet with an extension ring with holes on the bottom where I can run the uf-b or rigid conduit or what have you, to the garden lights.

After this initial installation, I have 4 leftover bolts from the kit, and some holes where they seem to fit. I couldn't find videos online aside from promotional videos from Gardner or whatever, so there wasn't much instruction to go on here.

1. Cut siding and installed the outlet box

The other side of this has conduit running to the existing switch indoors.

Outlet box

2. Install extension ring over outlet box

The extension ring included this gasket and screws, so I used them.

Gasket

Extension ring

3. Outlet cover over extension ring.

Here is where I'm confused. I assume I'll be installing the outlet here, where these screws are. The plastic here is flexing a lot and I don't think the gasket between the outlet cover and the extension ring is getting a good seal. Doesn't smell right.

Flexing

Improve this question
9
  • I think the outlet is supposed to go between the metal box and the gray water resistant outlet cover. Then you screw the gray cover through the mounting ears of the outlet and into the metal box.
    – SteveSh
    Commented Feb 17, 2022 at 21:49
  • That makes sense. So I will: 1. Remove the outlet cover. 2. Install the outlet directly to the extension ring. 3. Mount the outlet cover to the ears of the outlet. There are also four bolt-holes in the corners of the outlet cover, pictured in my last photo. I think I need bolts for those.
    – 000
    Commented Feb 17, 2022 at 22:04
  • You should have enough room to 1) wire the outlet with the required 6"-8" lead length; 2) pull the outlet out away from the metal box; 3) wiggle the gray cover over the outlet. Then fasten as described above.
    – SteveSh
    Commented Feb 17, 2022 at 22:11
  • You're right, it was pretty easy to remove that panel
    – 000
    Commented Feb 17, 2022 at 22:12
  • Other than that, was it okay how I installed the outlet box under the siding, and the extension ring to the outlet box over the siding? There seems to be a gap. Only the outlet box is grounded as far as I can tell. How is this extension ring supposed to be grounded? There's no threads for a grounding screw or anything
    – 000
    Commented Feb 17, 2022 at 22:15

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
1

You need to extend the original box which is in the wall so that the extension ring can bolt directly to the box without the wall getting in the way. You need to have a waterproof seal between the box and the extension ring. So either get an extender that fits inside the wall or replace the box with an outdoor box which extends past the wall a bit and allows a watertight seal between the box and the cover.(It is best to replace the inside box with an outdoor box.) Then seal around the box with stucco and caulking to provide a watertight seal for the wall itself. Do not trust a foam gasket to be the seal between the wall and the outdoors.

Improve this answer
0

I'm going to assume that "I have installed an outdoor outlet" means that you've installed this metal junction box in your wall, and that you're not talking about an actual receptacle that you could plug things into.

You are planning on running this wiring out of this box. Therefore, what you have in the 3rd picture (posted below for convenience) seems to be as far as you need to go with the assembly/installation of this extension ring.

extension box mounted to wall
Click to embiggen or just scroll up.

From here, knock out the appropriate plug(s), attach your conduit to the extension, wire up the connections to the wires in the conduit, and put the cover plate on this box. You're done.

Improve this answer
7
  • I'm a little confused, why would I have exposed wiring? I just pulled the bundle aside for a better picture.
    – 000
    Commented Feb 18, 2022 at 17:56
  • To the other question, yes I intend to install an outlet here. The wire bundle contains: 12ga hot, neutral, ground; 14ga hot (to motion sensor), switched-hot (from motion sensor), switched-hot (to lights), neutral
    – 000
    Commented Feb 18, 2022 at 17:58
  • I don't see why you can't install a receptacle there, provided you don't exceed the fill requirements for the box (which have been increased by the extension ring anyway. There is nothing that says a box can't be both a junction box and an outlet. You have the sandwich made already: from inside to out you have Box>Siding>Extension Ring (exterior conduit would exit one of the provided holes)>Receptacle>In-Use Cover.
    – Chris O
    Commented Feb 18, 2022 at 21:56
  • Perfect, glad to have confirmation on this. Thanks.
    – 000
    Commented Feb 18, 2022 at 23:14
  • @Frambot I've updated the answer with an image that I hope explains the issue as I see it. If I'm totally off base, maybe update your original question with the receptacle in place and the wiring headed out one of those conduit exits, at least as a temporary, held in place so we can see what you're planning on doing.
    – FreeMan
    Commented Feb 19, 2022 at 13:55

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.