Any electricians here?

[Reverend Satan]

I'm thinking of adding an electrical receptacle to my backyard. Do I have to run it from the fuse box or can I "piggy back" it off of the existing receptacle on my back porch. All the existing wiring is less than a year old, BTW.

[Onerepmaximum]

One of my best friends is an electrician. If you don't have an answer in the next few days before I speak to him, I'll ask.

[Reverend Satan]

Thanks, G.

[Twistdenigma]

You can "piggy back" it off an existing circuit, but trust me, it's alot easier to go from the breaker box off a new circuit. I'm not an electrician, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

[Reverend Satan]

Originally Posted by Twistdenigma

You can "piggy back" it off an existing circuit, but trust me, it's alot easier to go from the breaker box off a new circuit. I'm not an electrician, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Thanks, money.

[Puddles]

With it being outside you should run it from the box with one of those thingies that shuts it off if it gets wet, not sure if it's just a surge protector or something more...kinda like what they put in bathrooms for water issues.

My house is just a few yrs. old and we have outside outlets that connect with an outlet in the garage. Every year the outside one gets wet in rain with Christmas lights plugged in and flips the switch. The first 2 yrs. we had the house we had the chest freezer plugged into the same area that the outside outlet ran through, therefore our freezer shut down when it blew. Now I have an extension cord run to another garage outlet that's on a different switch, so when the outside gets wet and blows, the freezer doesn't shut down.

Also, outside outlet boxes have cover thingies that help keep rain or sprinkler water out. Make sure you get one of those.

BTW, we're pretty much home improvement impared here and hire people to do shit...unless you really can grasp a good understanding of what you're doing, spend a few extra bucks and hire a professional. If you **** it up it'll cost you more in the long run.

[Twistdenigma]

All of my easy home improvement projects usually involve 7 trips to Home Depot for shit I forgot the first 6 times.

[Reverend Satan]

Originally Posted by Puddles

With it being outside you should run it from the box with one of those thingies that shuts it off if it gets wet, not sure if it's just a surge protector or something more...kinda like what they put in bathrooms for water issues.

My house is just a few yrs. old and we have outside outlets that connect with an outlet in the garage. Every year the outside one gets wet in rain with Christmas lights plugged in and flips the switch. The first 2 yrs. we had the house we had the chest freezer plugged into the same area that the outside outlet ran through, therefore our freezer shut down when it blew. Now I have an extension cord run to another garage outlet that's on a different switch, so when the outside gets wet and blows, the freezer doesn't shut down.

Also, outside outlet boxes have cover thingies that help keep rain or sprinkler water out. Make sure you get one of those.

BTW, we're pretty much home improvement impared here and hire people to do shit...unless you really can grasp a good understanding of what you're doing, spend a few extra bucks and hire a professional. If you **** it up it'll cost you more in the long run.

You're talking about a GFI and they are required by building code for all outdoor receptacles. They can save your life but can also screw you like yours did. I may end up going with a pro but I think I can figure it out thanks to the internet. I used to do home inspections so I have retained some knowledge that should be of use.

[Reverend Satan]

Originally Posted by Twistdenigma

All of my easy home improvement projects usually involve 7 trips to Home Depot for shit I forgot the first 6 times.

I know exactly what you mean

[Mr. dB]

Run it to a separate circuit breaker.