For years now I have left the EHU lead trailing across the floor without any problems.
for the last few months I have been parked at my mums to help here out after her hip replacement. Due to the distance from the house I had to make up an extra hookup lead. I did this using standard connectors and arctic cable.
Just recently the breaker in her house has been going intermittently and I thought it was the lead but couldn't confirm it even with a Mega.
Anyway to cut a long story short. I eventually stripped down all the connectors and the one next to the house which was sheltered under a step was absolutely full of water and was corroded to hell. This connector was only 4 months old.
Now I do not know exactly how the water got into it as it is under a step 10 feet in the air so not sitting on the ground and not in direct rain.
All I can think is the rain/snow water has run down the cable and into the socket. With the freeze defrost cycle it may have damaged it. The other option is for this connector I have used arctic cable which is a bit thinner than the usual orange cable and it may not have formed a perfect seal.
I was under the impression that these connectors were ok to be left outside no matter what the weather so long as they were not immersed in water.
Anyway to the point. I would recommend that you check your connectors regularly.
BTW: My original trade is electrician so I am not a total dummy on these things so If I can be caught out I am sure others without my background may be as well.
I now put the connectors in a polythene bag and seal it up with gaffer tape.
for the last few months I have been parked at my mums to help here out after her hip replacement. Due to the distance from the house I had to make up an extra hookup lead. I did this using standard connectors and arctic cable.
Just recently the breaker in her house has been going intermittently and I thought it was the lead but couldn't confirm it even with a Mega.
Anyway to cut a long story short. I eventually stripped down all the connectors and the one next to the house which was sheltered under a step was absolutely full of water and was corroded to hell. This connector was only 4 months old.
Now I do not know exactly how the water got into it as it is under a step 10 feet in the air so not sitting on the ground and not in direct rain.
All I can think is the rain/snow water has run down the cable and into the socket. With the freeze defrost cycle it may have damaged it. The other option is for this connector I have used arctic cable which is a bit thinner than the usual orange cable and it may not have formed a perfect seal.
I was under the impression that these connectors were ok to be left outside no matter what the weather so long as they were not immersed in water.
Anyway to the point. I would recommend that you check your connectors regularly.
BTW: My original trade is electrician so I am not a total dummy on these things so If I can be caught out I am sure others without my background may be as well.
I now put the connectors in a polythene bag and seal it up with gaffer tape.