Hey folks!

Is it OK to use a standard Insteon dual on/off outlet in an exterior application?

That is, the home has outlets on the exterior walls (in exterior enclosures). Would it be OK to use one of these non-GFCI outlets in these places if there is a standard GFCI outlet in-line?

Thanks!

Dual On / Off Outlet – Insteon

I’ve been using one on a bird bath heater and fountain for several years.

I've had multiple of the older on/offs at my last house for over 10 years in southeast Michigan.. -20 to 100 degrees

I installed the i3 outlet, the one at your link, 2 years ago. It runs our patio gazebo lights year round and a home made drip sprinkler in the summer. Same weather and no problems with it.

A few things

• The outside jboxes can be smaller or crowded, especially with an older home

• I recommend a cover box to screw in where a smaller outdoor faceplate would be so the wires and everything are covered. Caulk the edges of the plate cover and the house. I lost an i3 outlet because I didn't get a good enough cover.. the grill was right in front of it and water from rain splashed right in. Water was dripping out of the sockets when I removed it.... not insteon's fault.

• These are not GFIC. If there is another GFIC outlet, it needs to be between the Insteon outlet and the electrical panel. Wire it up and press the test botton on the GFIC. If if power remains at the insteon outlet, replace the breaker the outlet leads to with a GFIC breaker.

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by paulbates

Thanks folks, much appreciate the quick replies!

I also recall that some have experienced communication problems when an Insteon device is protected by certain types or brands of GFCI outlets. Hopefully, that won't be the case here.