Outdoor switch?

[jec6613]

My house is from 1975 and was flipped, so I have a lot of fixtures not installed and switches not yet in use, and I've been slowly restoring the house's lighting.  Fortunately, most of the fixtures are cheap.

My next step is for some patio lights: the wiring is installed and good, there are three lights controlled by two single pole switches, currently basic toggles with outdoor covers.  The switches and fixtures are protected from any direct rain and wind, but will still be exposed to temperatures and humidity and the like.

My question is how to handle switches: a ToggleLinc with weatherproof cover?  A regular paddle dimmer with weatherproof cover?  Or should I just install micro modules and come up with another method of control.  I currently use ToggleLincs in my semi-detached unheated garage without any issues, but I'm wondering what is the best option here.

Thanks in advance!

[paulbates]

Depending where you live, Togglincs / Switchlincs with covers should be fine.

I have a togglinc in my detached garage, and 3 outletlincs with covers on the houses exterior. I’m in Michigan, -20 to +100

Paul

[jec6613]

Northeast US, so less cold (usually only down to 0) but we get much more frequent condensing humidity, which is my major concern really.  I suppose I could also throw a GFI on the circuit as well just to be safe.

[paulbates]

If it’s outside service, definitely.

[lilyoyo1]

I'm in the south with a switch outside (outdoor living room). While it's enclosed, the humidity does effect the area. Haven't had issues yet but I'm aware it could shorten the life span.

[jec6613]

13 minutes ago, paulbates said:

If it’s outside service, definitely.

Since it's on garage door opener circuit, any problems with just throwing in an AFCI/GFCI breaker that you know of?  It would be much easier than adding a box to handle GFI since it's BX wiring.

[paulbates]

The only thing I can think of is functional, losing control of the garage door if it trips for the lights. As a traveler, I try to design around that kind of problem.

[jec6613]

Well I just smacked my forehead... I had forgotten about the InlineLinc devices.  More robust than a micro module, and I can just seal it into the box and control the lights remotely (which should be fine for my purposes).  It pretty well solves both of my concerns with the micro module being exposed to temperature extremes as well as a switch being exposed to the elements.

I also did find a location to tap a GFI into this circuit neatly, the wiring comes from another upstream box so I can just run some Romex over to a new box and put a GFI only device into that.  Probably two, in fact, one for the outlets and one for the lights, so I have GFI protection on both without also putting AFI on the whole circuit - it would cover all of my garage outlets except the garage door, and all wet location lights.  All of the studs are exposed so it'll be very simple to execute on.

And now that I've traced what I think are the last outlets and working fixtures in the house, I've also turned off two breakers that appear to have no purpose (at least anymore) … now to wait to see if anything stops working at all, before I spend another afternoon with the panel opened and trace the wiring physically.  They're labeled, "Lights," and, "Outlets," but so far all of my lights and outlets are still working.