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Furniture & Furnishing & Decorations
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Unfortunately most of the rotisseries that come with
barbeque grills have a very shot electrical lead, 18 to
24 inches in length, making it necessary to run an
extension cord from the house to power the rotisserie.
The easy solution for this problem is to
install an outside electrical circuit
at
or near
the location of the grill. Having just completed an
outside circuit to a barbeque grill, I thought I would
pass on to you how to
install
an outside
circuit so
you can use your rotisserie without running extension
cords.
Most homes today have
outside electric circuits. These circuits are protected
with ground fault interrupters (GFIs) to prevent
electrical short circuits or damage to equipment. The
GFI is provided by either a GFI circuit breaker in the
electrical panel or a GFI outlet at the point of plug in
of an appliance. Before installing an outside electrical
plug insure that it will be protected by a GFI circuit
breaker or GFI outlet. It is less expensive to use a GFI
outlet than a GFI circuit breaker.
UF-B outdoor electric
wire, often called “gray wire” is ideal for wiring an
outside outlet. UF-B wire does not have to be run in a
conduit, although if it is going to be exposed to a high
use area a conduit is recommended. I ran the UF-B wire
from an existing outdoor outlet through the deck floor
joist and up a deck railing support post. I did use a
PVC conduit from beneath the floor of the deck up the
support railing. See pictures.
Wire Through Deck Joist
UF-B Wire From Existing
Outside Outlet
As the existing outside
outlet was wired with #14 wires, I continued the circuit
to the additional plug for the grill with #14gage wire.
It is not legal to mix wire sizes in the same circuit.
Had the existing outlet been wired with a #12 gage wire,
I would have used #12 gage wires for the extension
circuit. After the wire is run it is a simple matter of installing the outlet box, attaching the wires to the GFI outlet and installing the cover. Testing of the circuit can be done by pressing the test button on the GFI outlet. Without getting too technical of the operation of a GFI, pressing the test button simulates a short circuit causing the outlet internal breaker to open cutting off electrical power to the outlet. UF-B wire, outside electrical boxes, GFI outlets and covers, and PVC conduit pipe can be purchased at any home improvement store at reasonable prices.
Wire Entering
Conduit Below Deck
Wire Pulled Through
Outlet Box
GFI Outlet Installed
Finished Installation
An outside electric circuit
installation is easy DIY home improvement project
that can be performed by the homeowner. It can be
completed in approximately two hours or less using
ordinary household tools. It certainly will enhance
your ability to use electrical devices safely
outside without the need for those cumbersome
extension cord.
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