The 2014 NEC code states:

406.9(B) (1): Extra-Duty Covers at 15- and 20-Ampere Receptacles at Wet Locations.

This provision contains the previous requirement that all 15- and 20-ampere and all 125- and 250-volt receptacles—when installed in wet locations—must have enclosures and covers that are weatherproof, whether or not the attachment plug cap is inserted.

These are known as Bubble covers. They are designed so you can have a cord plugged in with the cover closed.

It’s a great idea, but they are UGLY!!!

They look like a huge plastic pimple sticking out of the side of your house.

Some are plastic, some are more heavy duty gray cast aluminum.

Intermatic has come out with a very cool cover, that not only complies with the code, but it looks great!!

The WP6000 and WP7000 series covers have an expandable clear cover that can be pushed in when it’s not in use!!

You might say, the pimple has been popped!!!

Features

• New low-profile design offers an expandable front window that can be collapsed to save space when not in use

• Complies with 2017 NEC for Wet Locations/Extra-Duty Applications (WP7000 and WP7200 models only) and CEC Section 26-702

• Heavy-duty UV stabilized polycarbonate construction ensures long-lasting durability

• Single-gang covers mount vertically or horizontally

• Single-gang models: GFCI pre-set for faster installation Two inserts are provided with all models, allowing for up to eight unique configurations

• Double-gang models: GFCI pre-set for faster installation Four inserts are provided with all models, allowing for up to 16 unique configurations

• Reinforced hinge pin: Designed to withstand a 40 lbs. hinge hang/stress test

• Impact-rated: Tested in 12 lbs. impact test to ensure cover remains intact

• Lockable hasp: All models accept up to 0.19″ dia shank

• Meets requirements for cold impact testing at -60°F (-51°C)

• 6000/7000/7200 Series available in gray, white and bronze • 6200 Series is available in gray only

~ Woody

I started watching that show where they drop 2 people off out in the middle of nowhere without their clothes so they can act like cavepeople for 21 days.

In every episode, it takes days of rubbing sticks together to start a fire for heat, and it always ends up in a fight.

Call me crazy (and a lot of people do), but Muddy Waters invented electricity a long time ago so that we could have music and stay WARM!!!

If you are needing an awesome space heater, Marley has the answer.

The MMHD1502T

• Two heat settings for a full range of comfort.
• Automatic thermostat.
• Fan only feature to circulate air during non-heating periods.
• Tip over safety switch and thermal limit.
• Built-in carrying handle and guards.
• Polarized cord and plug (MMH).
• Safety buzzer.
• MMHD has grounded cord and plug.

~ Woody

Labeling is a big deal in the electrical industry: from wire labels to panels and push-buttons.

Back in the old days, we had one type of label maker. It had a round knob on top of it with all the letters and symbols.

You would feed a hard plastic tape into it, turn the knob to the letter you wanted, pull the trigger and the letter would be punched into the tape.

Then peel off the back and stick it on whatever you were labeling.

And we labeled EVERYTHING!! Our lunch boxes, folders, lockers and each other.

Now a days labeling is more sophisticated and the label makers can get very pricey.

Brady has an awesome labeler at the right price!!

The BMP 21-PLUS

TOUGH on the outside, SMART on the inside. The super rugged, ultra intelligent BMP®21-PLUS is an affordable label and wire printer designed for the tool box.

• This handheld label printer creates multi-line labels for clear identification of wires, panels, circuit boards and other industrial items
• On-board keyboard contains letters A to Z and numbers 0 to 9, and backlit LCD graphics display for easier labeling even in low-lit areas
• Prints in 6 different text sizes ranging from 6 point to 40 point in a single color
• Compatible with Brady BMP21 Series printer continuous tape cartridges to enable printing of various styles and widths
• Drop-tested and reinforced with molded-rubber impact bumpers for durability in the most demanding work environments

~ Woody

It’s that fun time of year when we get to play Clark Griswold and decorate our houses for the holidays!!

What a great time, freezing, running extension cord connected to extension cord all over the yard and roof!!

If you’re like me, you have a vast collection of blow molds, lights and even a moving Santa. (I always have to nail his feet to the roof so he won’t fall off.)

The biggest pain is always trying to remember to run outside and turn them off.

Thanks to Intermatic, this is now easy!!

The TN311 Heavy Duty indoor timer will do the trick. You set it and forget it!!

Features

• 3 ON/3 OFF settings per day with removable trippers, more ON/OFF events with addition of extra trippers
• Minimum 30-min ON/OFF time
• Grounded receptacle and 3-prong plug
• Plugs directly into wall outlet

~Woody

Emergency lights have come a long way!! Back in the old days, they were huge steel boxes containing a large heavy battery with two big lights on top. These boat anchors could weigh a ton, not to mention they looked like a robot and took up a lot of room.

In the last few years they have all become LED. This means smaller batteries and smaller housings. One of the smallest is the Lithonia EU2LM12.

The Lithonia Lighting® EU2L LED Emergency Light is suitable for emergency lighting applications such as stairways and hallways.

Its low profile design with small, unobtrusive dual lamp heads makes the EU2L ideal for safely illuminating the path of egress in small spaces at lower mounting heights.

It can be wall or ceiling mounted and will provide 90 minutes of emergency power in the case of power loss.

FEATURES:

 Test switch and status indicator

UL indoor damp location 50°F to 104°F (10°C to 40°C) listed standard

For use with dual voltage 120/277VAC

~Woody

Let’s say you belong to an “Organization”. You get up every morning, have your coffee, and send your driver out to pull the car around. Then suddenly, BAM!! Not only do you have to hire ANOTHER driver, but you need a new car too!

If only he could have looked under the car. You should have sent in the Ferret!

Or, you’re crawling on your belly under your house when suddenly, out of nowhere, the most foul, cruel, and bad-tempered rodent you ever set eyes on!

You should have sent in the Ferret!

Who is the Ferret you ask?? The Ferret is not a who, The Ferret Camera Tool Kits are a revolutionary way to carry out inspections. Wireless and rechargeable, this inspection cameras and its accessories allow you to see clearly in dark and confined spaces. It can help you see in ceilings, under flooring, behind objects, in building risers, chimneys and more, ultimately saving you valuable time and money.

~Woody

It’s always the same problem, you’re up on a ladder, trying to hang a light or a ceiling fan and the screws they provide are always so small, that if you don’t use a magnetic tipped screw driver it is impossible to keep from dropping the screw. This can cause a lot of trips up and down a ladder, and if you lose the screw, forget it. You will of course find it, a week later when you are walking through your living room barefoot and it goes right into the bottom of your tootsie! This could cause an infection, gangrene and death!

To avoid all of this, wouldn’t be cool if you could magnetize all your screwdrivers?

Well now you can the Klein MAG2!

• Magnetizes and demagnetizes screwdriver tips and bits using powerful rare-earth magnets
• Single swipe operation provides immediate magnetization and demagnetization
• Fits most screwdrivers including precision screwdrivers, 1/4 Slotted, #2 Phillips and #3 Phillips
• Attaches to tool bags or backpacks with the included stainless-steel key ring
• No batteries required
• Made in USA with global components

To magnetize: insert screwdriver fully into magnetizing slot; avoid rotating the shaft while drawing out slowly.

To demagnetize: insert screwdriver fully into demagnetizing slot; avoid rotating the shaft while drawing out slowly.

~Woody

Unless all the breakers are marked correctly, it can be a real pain to find out what breaker is connected to an outlet. If you own an expensive circuit tracer, then the job is easy. But if you don’t, there are only a few options.

First, you can plug a light fixture in, run to the panel, shut off the breaker and run back to see if the light is off.  This will give you a great workout, but isn’t exactly efficient. Or, you can plug in a radio, tune it to your favorite station and turn off breakers until the music stops. The problem is, if the outlet is too far away from the panel then you will have to crank up the volume and if it’s a good song, who wants to shut it off?

Well I found this cool device from Reliance that can take care of this problem!

The THP109 Circuit Scout – Circuit Analyzer and Breaker Locator.

Simply plug in the device, move switch to ON and device will sound (adjustable) siren up to 105 dB until circuit breaker is turned off and outlet is no longer live, identifying the outlet that is fed by a specific breaker. Analyzer: color-Coded LED’s identify specific problems with outlet wiring and it has a GFCI test button.

~Woody

USB-C is the emerging standard for charging and transferring data. Right now, it’s included in devices like the newest laptops, phones, and tablets. Given time, it’ll spread to pretty much everything that currently uses the older, larger USB connector.

USB Type-C has a new, tiny physical connector—roughly the size of a micro USB connector. The USB-C connector itself can support various exciting new USB standard like USB 3.1 and USB power delivery (USB PD).

Just think of it, now we will need an adapter to plug into a receptacle for the normal USB, and an adapter to go from the new USB to the old USB, or just an adapter to plug the USB-C in. Either way, it’s going to be a mess!

Well Pass & Seymour is here to save the day. They have come out with a new receptacle with two USB charging ports for mobile devices – one Type-A port and one Type-C port for newer products.

The PTTR15ACUSBW with The PlugTail® termination provides a more productive, secure, and safer installation and allows you to connect with the future of wiring device innovations.

~Woody