What are common outdoor wiring requirements?

• A. Outdoor wiring requires only indoors-rated conductors.
• B. Weatherproof enclosures, outdoor-rated conductors, and protection against moisture, with GFCI where required.
• C. No special protection; use standard indoor wiring.
• D. Only use metal boxes; corrosion-protected.

Answer: (B)

Outdoor wiring has to withstand exposure to weather, moisture, and temperature changes. That's why the standard approach includes weatherproof enclosures, conductors rated for outdoor use, and protection against moisture throughout the system, with GFCI protection where the code requires it for outdoor receptacles and other wet locations. Using indoors-rated conductors outdoors can lead to insulation failure and deterioration from moisture and UV light, and simply relying on a standard indoor wiring setup misses the necessary weatherproofing and sealing. Merely using metal boxes or relying on corrosion protection alone doesn’t address the need for waterproof connections and appropriate GFCI protection. In short, outdoor installations must employ weatherproof, outdoor-rated components and proper moisture protections, plus GFCI where required.