I recently conducted an inspection of a roof mounted Evaporative Cooler for a client and the system used a damp location cover for the exterior AC receptacle. The electrical receptacle box was located under just the Evaporative Cooler. Is this an application for a wet or damp location receptacle cover?
A picture at a different angle would be helpful but from what I see in the picture, its a wet location. It appears to be exposed to wind driven rain at a minimum. It requires GFCI protection and an in-use cover for permanently plugged in devices. That should solve the lack of a proper drip loop on that cord as well. The receptacle should be Weather Resistant (WR).
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Thank you David, I thought it should be a wet location and told my client that as well, however the “electrician” stated in his opinion because it was under the Evap. system it was “protected” and considered a damp location. It is not too difficult to see that with some wind driven rain, that water could easily get to the exposed receptacles. Here are some additional angles of the location. I did not think about the lack of drip loop, so I appreciate that detail I missed, and yes I communicated that it should also be GFCI.
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I don’t think you missed anything regarding a drip loop. The first picture made it look like there was no drip loop and water would run right into the receptacle but your new pictures from different angles remove that concern for me.
Appreciate your feedback, thank you.
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Remember… the Receptacle/Outlet covers must be “Fully Closed” to be considered ‘Damp Location’ Listed.
When “Open”, an In-Use cover is required.
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IMO it’s a wet location by NEC definition. The cord connection is not code complaint on the unit. Also it’s debatable whether or not this equipment can even be connected by a flexible cord.
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