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The Best Ways To Run Power Outside

The Best Ways To Run Power Outside

Need power outside of your home? Whether you need a little bit of juice for the day or for an extended period of time, the experts at A-Abel have you covered. Learn how to safely direct power outside with these outdoor electrical tips…

Short-Term Power Supply

AKA extension cords. If you only need power outdoors for a short time, such as to power a piece of equipment or provide lighting for a part, an extension cord is the right fix for you. It has the ability to cover your power supply needs for a day or two. Ensure you only use extension cords labelled for outdoor use, which can hold up to moisture, temperature variations, the sun, and light foot traffic. Do not use indoor extension cords outdoors! Indoor extension cords can quickly and easy break, causing sparking, fire, and shock dangers.

Outdoor Extension Cord Safety

  • Pick the right cord. Cords are not one-size-fits-all. Choose a cord that will withstand the wattage of all the connected devices. Typically, the bigger the wire, the more current it can handle (but double-check the manufacturer’s label!).
  • Plug your outdoor extension cords into a GFCI outlet. These are the outlets that have TEST/RESET buttons – typically found in kitchens, baths, and garages. These protect your family from shock if the cord is exposed to water.
  • Make sure your cord is the right length (not too short/long), to prevent tripping hazards.
  • Unplug the cord and store it indoors when it’s not in use.

Long-Term Power Supply

When providing power outdoors, a GFCI-equipped outlet ensures safety in all areas exposed to moisture. When making the decision to add an outdoor outlet, make sure to find an outdoor-rated, weatherproof model with built-in, high-sensitivity GFCI.

Placing the outlet

When adding an outdoor outlet, look for an indoor outlet to connect to with the wiring. Drill a hole through your home wall and feed the wiring in close to the indoor outlet. Fit the mounting box for the outdoor outlet over that hole. Draw in the wiring and connect to the outlet terminals, then put the faceplate on, ensuring all waterproof seals are positioned right. Run the wiring indoors to its connection point, adding a separate GFCI if none exists.

Avoid a shocking outdoor experience. Get the help you need from the pros at A-Abel today.