What are the electrical safety requirements for deck outlets in New Brunswick?

All exterior deck outlets in New Brunswick must be GFCI-protected, installed in weatherproof boxes rated for wet locations, and wired on a dedicated circuit by a licensed electrician who pulls an electrical permit through the local inspection authority.

New Brunswick follows the Canadian Electrical Code with provincial amendments administered by the Technical Safety Authority of New Brunswick. The requirements for outdoor receptacles on decks are enforceable code provisions, and installations that do not meet them can result in failed inspections, insurance complications, and genuine electrocution risk in a province where decks regularly get wet from rain, snow melt, and coastal fog.

GFCI protection is the foundational requirement. Every receptacle installed on a deck, or within 2.5 metres of the deck's edge, must be protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter that will trip within milliseconds if it detects even 5 milliamps of current leakage. This applies regardless of whether the outlet is covered by a roof overhang. You can achieve this protection either through a GFCI-type receptacle at the outlet location itself, or through a GFCI breaker at the panel that protects the entire circuit. Most electricians in New Brunswick prefer GFCI breakers for deck circuits because they also provide protection to hardwired fixtures on the same circuit, such as post cap lights or stair lighting.

The receptacle box itself must carry an appropriate rating for its exposure. An outlet fully exposed to weather requires an extra-duty in-use cover rated for wet locations, which keeps the outlet sealed even when a cord is plugged in. If the outlet is under a permanent roof that prevents direct rain exposure, a weatherproof cover rated for damp locations is acceptable, though many inspectors prefer the wet-location rating regardless. The cover must be listed to CSA or UL standards and must close completely over inserted plugs.

Circuit sizing depends on your intended use. A general-purpose deck outlet typically runs on a 15-amp circuit with 14/2 NMD90 cable run through the interior of the home, transitioning to outdoor-rated cable or conduit where it exits the building envelope. If you plan to power a hot tub, you will need a dedicated 40 to 50-amp 240-volt circuit with a disconnect switch located within sight of the tub but no closer than 1.5 metres.

The physical installation must maintain specific clearances. Outdoor receptacles should be mounted between 300mm and 2.0 metres above the deck surface. Cable running beneath the deck must be protected by conduit if it is within 2.5 metres of grade, and any junction boxes under the deck must be accessible and rated for damp locations.

Permit and Inspection

New Brunswick requires an electrical permit for any new outdoor receptacle installation. The permit triggers an inspection by a certified inspector who verifies proper GFCI protection, box ratings, circuit loading, grounding continuity, and code compliance. The permit fee is typically $40 to $75, and the inspection protects you from the far more expensive consequences of faulty outdoor wiring. Insurance companies in New Brunswick routinely deny claims related to unpermitted electrical work.

Hiring a licensed electrician is legally required in New Brunswick for outdoor receptacle work. The province restricts this type of installation — involving weatherproofing, ground fault protection, and building envelope penetration — to licensed professionals. Expect to pay $250 to $500 for a single deck outlet installation including the permit, depending on how far the new circuit must run from your electrical panel.

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