| The Ingenious Light Socket Adaptor | |
Quite likely, down at the bottom of your outdoor Christmas lights box you will find a light socket adaptor.
It is resembles the base of a light bulb - screws into a light socket and holds a bulb but also has a receptacle on the side so you can plug a string of Christmas lights into the side of it and control those lights by the switch that works that socket.
This is quite ingenious and convenient but is it safe? Is it legal? |
| Outdoor Receptacles and the Electrical Code | |
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If you are using this device outside, the rules are clear: Since the 1994 edition of the Electrical Safety code was published, all outdoor receptacles must have GFCI (Ground fault circuit interrupter) protection.
As soon as this device is screwed into a light socket it becomes a receptacle and so it must be GFCI protected.
Prior to this, GFCI protection was not required if the light socket was 6 feet or higher above ground; but no longer. Now all outdoor outlets must be GFCI protected even if they are on the second story. |
| GFCI Receptacle Protection | |
 | | GFCI receptacle |
This is a GFCI outlet - recognizable by the two little buttons in the center: TEST and RESET. Unfortunately your light socket adaptor cannot be changed to work like this.
You can HOWEVER have a GFCI receptacle installed in your soffits and a switch installed to control the lights plugged into it. |
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GFCI Breaker Protection | |
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GFCI breaker installed
in your electrical panel |
Another way to get GFCI protection is to protect an entire circuit right at the breaker panel with a ground fault circuit breaker. It makes ALL the receptacles that it controls ground fault protected. If all your outdoor receptacles and lights are fed off one single breaker, then replacing that lone breaker with a GFCI breaker gives you full protection for your outdoor wiring. GFCI breakers have a TEST and RESET button as well and are clearly labelled as a GFCI breaker.
If the socket you screw your light socket adaptor into is controlled by a GFCI breaker, then it is perfectly fine to use your ingenious device. |
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Safe? Legal? | |
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So is this light socket adaptor safe?
No, not without a GFCI breaker. It provides no protection for you from faulty electrical equipment.
Is it legal to use?
If your home predates the 1994 code book it is legal to use this in your home. If your home is newer, it is not legal. It is expected that all your outdoor receptacles are properly GFCI protected. |
| Do you have a question for the Doctor? | |
 If you have a question about the health of your electrical system, GFCI breakers or would like to investigate a little "plastic surgery", ask the doctor:
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Special reminder for our Readers
Sleep well with visions of sugar plums dancing in your head
knowing Chadwick is on-call for you this Christmas. |
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Greetings! we wish you a very Blessed andMerry Christmas!
Shock Doctor Cheri |
