Elec. wiring question

[Barony]

We are doing a little home improvement and the wife requested an outlet on the front porch, so I put in a box and drilled a hole through the sill plate into the basement where I knew there was a box I could bump into very easily. I installed the GFI outside, zipped the siding back up and proceeded to move inside to complete the wiring when I noticed that the box was wired w/ 14-2 wire. I ran 12-2 wire into the house from the outside outlet. Can I bump into a 14-2 outlet with 12-2? Should I replace the 12-2 w/ 14-2? Guess I need a little advice/help before I proceed.

[LMITOUT]

The old style outdoor receptacle covers don't fly anymore either, BTW. You know the ones that fit flush and look nice?? No, you have to get these ugly box type that stand out from the side of the house and have a huge bubble cover. Not sure why they thought these are better, but they sure are an eyesore.

Just a FYI.

[JohnMickish]

Called an "in use cover" and they make your house look like it has a pimple.

[Boss Hogg]

The reason for the type of cover you describe is so an appliance can be plugged in and the cover can be closed. We call it the "in use" cover.

[LMITOUT]

Ahh, yes. I couldn't remember what they were called. I like the pimple analogy the best though.

Apparently people couldn't figure out how to keep the spring-loaded cover on the old ones open while plugging in a cord? Use them all the time wide open and have never had a problem with moisture....especially when the Xmas lights go up. Oh well. I guess there must be some sort of kickback to the NEC for replacing that cover everytime you go by with some gardening/yard equipment and shear it off.

[JollyT]

The new outlet covers keep the plug dry. The old covers would keep the outlet dry, except when something was plugged in.

[bigb56303]

wow who new that a simple elect ? would generate such a out break of interpretations? yes the ahj has the final say on what they want, and you can question them, but its not worth trying to fight them as they have the "power" to aprove the work, getting back to the original ? he was well with in code and should be fine, hopefully he is getting it inspected to be safe. its nice to see fellow electricians being so helpfull