Have you ever walked by a wooden post with exposed conduit or a broken plastic outlet cover with unprotected outlets and thought, “Yikes, that’s unsafe”? These common outdoor electrical setups are not only unsightly but also pose serious safety risks. Children and pets might be curious enough to investigate. Whether you are designing an outdoor space, responsible for maintaining a property or electrical setup these hazards can compromise safety. They can also damage your reputation. 5 common outdoor electrical problems can contribute to these hazards. 

Pedoc Power Solutions, in tandem with Marcres Metalwerks, a custom sheet metal fabricator in business for over 40 years, have been at the forefront of outdoor electrical safety for decades. Our journey began when a seasoned electrician, frustrated with the shortcomings of traditional outdoor power distribution, teamed up with Marcres Metalwerks, to create a safer, more durable, and aesthetically pleasing power pedestal solution. Pedoc acquired the pedestal line in 2009 and continues to be the top-choice of specifiers and electrical contractors in need of safe power distribution.

In this article, we’ll explore the common electrical hazards associated with outdoor power distribution. We will also explore how our durable and attractive power pedestals address these issues. You’ll discover the key safety features that set our products apart. You will understand why investing in proper outdoor electrical equipment is essential for protecting both people and property. By the end of this post, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to significantly reduce electrical risks in your outdoor spaces.

Key Highlights:

1. Weather Hazards: Rain, snow, and extreme temperatures can cause water ingress in outdoor electrical setups, leading to short circuits and increased risk of electric shock. Proper weatherproofing is crucial for outdoor power distribution.
2. Grounding Importance: Effective grounding is essential in outdoor electrical systems. It provides a safe path for excess current, reducing the risk of electric shock and equipment damage. Easily accessible grounding hardware ensures proper installation and long-term safety.
3. Physical Vulnerabilities: Outdoor electrical equipment is susceptible to damage from lawn mowers, vandalism, and other physical impacts. Durable materials like stainless steel offer superior protection compared to plastic or wood enclosures.
4. Fire Risk Factors: Short circuits, corrosion, and overheating can dcause outdoor electrical fires. Fire-resistant materials and proper enclosure design are critical in minimizing these risks in outdoor settings.
5. Power Capacity Considerations: Modern outdoor spaces often require more power than traditional setups provide. Inadequate capacity can lead to overloading, a significant safety risk. It’s important to choose power distribution systems that offer various configurations to meet diverse needs while maintaining safety standards.

Now, let’s dive into the hazards and safety issues that can arise with outdoor electrical setups.

1) Exposure to the Elements

One of the biggest challenges in outdoor power distribution is exposure to weather conditions like rain, snow, and extreme temperatures. Water ingress and moisture can short-circuit electrical components. This leads to malfunctions, increased risk of electric shock, and costly repairs or replacements.

We engineer our power pedestals to address these challenges with carefully selected materials and robust construction. Crafted entirely from heavy-duty stainless steel, a material known for its exceptional strength and longevity, our pedestals will withstand rugged outdoor conditions and elements. They resist damage from everyday incidents such as impacts from lawn mowers or other outdoor equipment. This ensures the integrity of the electrical wiring, conduit and devices remain uncompromised.

2) Grounding Issues

A poorly designed pedestal may have grounding hardware that is difficult to access during installation. In attempting to access it, installers might damage the pedestal, especially if it’s made of plastic. which can be brittle, or a metal pedestal made with panels that can easily be broken creating an ineffective enclosure.  Both can lead to costly repair or replacements even before first use. Even if the wiring remains properly grounded, the compromised protection can prevent safety devices like GFCI outlets from functioning correctly, increasing the risk of short-circuits and equipment failure.

Pedoc power fully constructs pedestals from welded stainless steel and feature pre-installed, easily accessible grounding hardware for simple and straightforward installation. This blend of accessibility and durability protects against damage during installation and ensures long-term reliability.

3) Physical Damage and Tampering

Outdoor power pedestals are vulnerable to physical damage, whether accidental or intentional. Impacts from lawn mowers and other outdoor equipment can easily crack or deform enclosures, leaving electrical components unprotected. In public or unsecured areas, pedestals can be tampered with or vandalized, leading to exposed wiring, damaged components, and unsafe conditions.

 We construct our pedestals from durable welded stainless steel, designed to withstand everyday impacts and protect internal electrical components. Additionally, many of our products include weatherproof covers that are both lockable and tamper-resistant, ensuring that outlets and wiring remain secure and unauthorized access is minimized.

4) Fire Hazards

While fire hazards are often associated with indoor electrical issues, they can also be a significant risk for outdoor installations. Short circuits are a well-known cause of fires, and improperly housed electrical components are vulnerable to water, moisture, and debris. Water and moisture can lead to corrosion, increasing electrical resistance and causing overheating and short-circuiting, which can ignite surrounding flammable materials, like wooden posts.

At Pedoc Power Solutions, we use heavy stainless steel for our pedestals, a material that is inherently fire-resistant and will efficiently dissipate heat inside the pedestal. The welded construction significantly reduces the chances of moisture and debris ingress, preventing outlet blockages, corrosion, short-circuiting, and the risk of electrical fires.

5) Inadequate Capacity and Overloading

As outdoor events and spaces become more technologically advanced, the demand for power increases. Improper power distribution can lead to overloading, posing significant safety risks.

Our power pedestals are designed with various power configurations to meet diverse needs, from simple 15-20 amp setups to higher-capacity options for food trucks and other high-demand applications. Rigorously tested for safety and certified by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. to standard 1773, our pedestals ensure optimal electrical safety. We clearly mark each pedestal with its safe and proper amperage capacity, helping to prevent improper use and simplify electrical inspections. 

By addressing these common hazards, Pedoc Power Solutions’ pedestals create a safer environment for all outdoor electrical needs. Whether you are designing an outdoor space, responsible for maintaining a property or the electrical setup, our power pedestals offer a secure, durable, and aesthetically pleasing solution for outdoor power distribution.

Remember, investing in proper electrical safety isn’t just about compliance – it’s about protecting people and property. Pedoc Power Solutions gives you peace of mind knowing that your outdoor electrical needs are met with the highest safety standards in mind.