Outdoor Xmas lights and the rain ?s, also GFI outlet ? (goldenrod, maybe you can answer!)

What do you do when it rains? Do you leave your outdoor lights plugged in and on?

I have them plugged into a GFI outside, but I dont think we tested the GFI to make sure it works (when we bought the house last year).

What would happen if water got in the outlet and the GFI wasn't working? And if the GFI outlet is working, do you think it would shut off whenever it rains or not neccessarily? Right now its raining but lights are still on...thats why I am wondering if the GFI should have shut it off or not neccessarily will water get in?

hope I am making sense!

Message edited 11/29/2011 4:27:11 PM.

Re: Outdoor Xmas lights and the rain ?s, also GFI outlet ? (goldenrod, maybe you can answer!)

lights can be kept on outside.. if there was a problem, it would have tripped it and shut off.

Re: Outdoor Xmas lights and the rain ?s, also GFI outlet ? (goldenrod, maybe you can answer!)

Ours are plugged into a GFI and every year it trips when it rains but not when it snows. So weird.

Re: Outdoor Xmas lights and the rain ?s, also GFI outlet ? (goldenrod, maybe you can answer!)

Ours are plugged in inside the garage to a timer. All connections are wrapped in electrical tape

Re: Outdoor Xmas lights and the rain ?s, also GFI outlet ? (goldenrod, maybe you can answer!)

Re: Outdoor Xmas lights and the rain ?s, also GFI outlet ? (goldenrod, maybe you can answer!)

I've tripped indoor GFI outlets, but I haven't tripped the outside one yet. I have 4 nets of lights over some bushes, two garland strands, and an outlet block outside, so there is plenty of potential, but in 3 years, I've never had an issue. The lights are on, rain or shine in the evenings.

I also have fountain pumps and lights that I use during months at a time during the warmer weather. Those are plugged into covered outlets, though, so it minimizes rain exposure.

If the GFI wasn't working, the circuit breaker would still trip in the main panel. The GFI just works faster, so it's safer for people, but if you aren't near the cords while it's raining (I would avoid stringing and connecting lights during a rainstorm.... ), the normal circuit breaker will keep things OK.

Re: Outdoor Xmas lights and the rain ?s, also GFI outlet ? (goldenrod, maybe you can answer!)

Posted by GoldenRod


If the GFI wasn't working, the circuit breaker would still trip in the main panel. The GFI just works faster, so it's safer for people, but if you aren't near the cords while it's raining (I would avoid stringing and connecting lights during a rainstorm.... ), the normal circuit breaker will keep things OK.

I keep trying to get my DH to post/explain (I stink at translating! ) on this site, but he just doesn't have the time.

Message edited 12/1/2011 11:16:05 AM.

Re: Outdoor Xmas lights and the rain ?s, also GFI outlet ? (goldenrod, maybe you can answer!)

to answer the OP's question, ours don't trip in rainy/snowy weather, but they're covered GFCIs (DH and my dad installed them on our lamp posts and elsewhere) and we use either those child safety outlet protectors and/or electrical tape to prevent water from getting in exposed receptacles on the lights.

Re: Outdoor Xmas lights and the rain ?s, also GFI outlet ? (goldenrod, maybe you can answer!)

Posted by Chatham-Chick

Posted by GoldenRod


If the GFI wasn't working, the circuit breaker would still trip in the main panel. The GFI just works faster, so it's safer for people, but if you aren't near the cords while it's raining (I would avoid stringing and connecting lights during a rainstorm.... ), the normal circuit breaker will keep things OK.

My DH disagreed with this. He said the circuit breaker may not trip because that trips when amperage is exceeded, not because there's a change in the current.

I keep trying to get my DH to post/explain (I stink at translating! ) on this site, but he just doesn't have the time.