Should I use a weather-resistant GFCI for a protected outdoor receptacle?

[scottydog]

I just replaced an old outdoor outlet with a new one, including a cover for the GFCI and any plugs.  While wiring in the new GFCI, I noticed writing on the back that says for wet or damp locations I should use a weather-resistant GFCI.  The instructions say that when installed in wet locations the new GFCI must be protected by a "weatherproof cover that will keep both the receptacle and any plugs dry."  I have the weatherproof cover, but should I upgrade to a weather-resistant GFCI anyway?

[Bob W]

In general yes.   If you have a GRCI on another outlet on the circuit you will probably be alright. 

[Rural]

Yes. This is a case of minor expense vs castasprophic potential downside.

[Primm]

Yes. This is a case of minor expense vs castasprophic potential downside.

+1.

[scottydog]

Thanks everyone!  I'm trying to reign in my natural tendency to over-design my DIY projects, and I appreciate your advice.  That's an excellent point about minor expense vs potential castatrophe.  I'll upgrade the GFCI.

[dragoncar]

Relevant because my next project is replacing an outdoor non-gfci outlet with a "not in use" cover with a gfci outlet with an "in use" cover.  I actually ordered a bunch from ebay and then googled the part number and found that UL had issued an advisory on that outlet as using the UL mark fraudulently.  Doh.  I guess I shouldn't try to save bucks on life-preserving devices.

That said, two questions:

Where's the most mustachian way to get some goof GFCI outlets cheap.

-OR-

Does it make sense to just go GRCI on the relevant circuits instead?



edit: Final question.  I obtained a refund for the "fake" outlets, and the seller didn't require that I return them, but they might actually work fine as normal outlets.  UL only says they "may" not provide GFCI protection, which to me means they didn't pay UL to use the label but the GFCI could actually function correctly.  Would it make sense to use these in non-critical locations, or are they a likely fire hazard simply because they were turned out in China with fake licensing?  I don't really want to straight-up toss them out, but I guess that's me being cheap not frugal.

[Greg]

In-use covers are good and to code, I'd toss the off-brand GFCI's. 

Keep in mind that most outside outlets are fed from an interior outlet circuit, and so you can replace only the interior outlet with the GFCI and protect both the inside and outside outlet.