Outdoor Receptacle Covers

Most homes have one or more outdoor power outlets (receptacles) and these should always be protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).  See HandyHomeowner topic  GFCIs  for details on this important safety device.

In addition to GFCI protection, outdoor receptacles should also have weather-resistant covers to protect them from moisture and dirt (a bad electrical combination), both which are likely outside the house.

 

 

Residents sometimes have something plugged into an exterior outlet for a long time (fountain pump, Christmas lights, etc.)  If you have anything plugged in for more than a short time, your should install a While-In-Use receptacle cover.  These devices give protection from dirt and moisture while a power cord is plugged into the outlet.

There is strong debate

Back-Stab Switches and Receptacles

I have seen way too many problems with light switches and power outlets when push-in connections are used for wiring into the backs of these devices.  Known as back-stab connections, these are quicker and easier to use and are often convenient to minimize the need for pigtail splices, but this comes at the expense of reliability.

With back-stab wiring, the stripped ends of the wire are simply pushed in and an edge clamp holds it in place.  Unfortunately the surface area for wire contact is minimal and prone to