Extending your smart home or tech setup into your yard often presents a power challenge: limited outdoor outlets and the risk of weather damage. A single weather-protected duplex outlet is rarely enough for multiple smart plugs, lights, or other devices. This is where a weatherproof outdoor electrical box becomes an essential accessory for any tech-savvy homeowner looking to safely expand their outdoor setup.
Why Standard Outlets Aren’t Enough Outdoors
Outdoor environments expose electrical connections to rain, dust, and fluctuating temperatures. Standard indoor power strips and unprotected connections are simply not designed for these conditions, posing safety hazards and risking damage to your valuable devices. Moreover, the desire to connect multiple items like smart lighting, security cameras, or water feature pumps quickly outstrips the availability of weatherproof outlets.
The Iwillink Outdoor Electrical Box: A Detailed Look
One practical solution is the Iwillink Outdoor Electrical Box. Measuring 12.6 x 8.6 x 5.1 inches (LxWxD), this plastic enclosure is spacious enough for two medium-sized power strips or one if you’re dealing with bulky power adapters. It boasts an IP54 weatherization rating, signifying protection against dust ingress and water spray from any direction, making it suitable for most garden or deck environments. However, the manufacturer advises against submerging the box in water or burying it completely.
Key features include four robust plastic clamp latches—one on each side—that secure the lid tightly. Cable management is handled by eight notches (four in front, two on each end) equipped with cable guides and silicone seals on both the box base and lid. These create a weather-resistant barrier for incoming and outgoing cords.
Iwillink weatherproof outdoor electrical box partially open showing cable notches and silicone seals for secure cord entry.
Practical Application: Powering a Smart Yard
In my own setup, I use the Iwillink box to house a 3-outlet extension cord. This powers a Kasa Smart EP25 plug for a small deck water feature and the transformer for a set of Eufy Outdoor Pathway Lights. I found the latches on the Iwillink box to be effective. While the silicone seals around the cables aren’t hermetic, they provide ample protection against rainfall or sprinkler spray.
Close-up of cables entering the Iwillink outdoor electrical box, secured by latches and silicone seals to prevent water ingress.
It’s worth noting that two bulky items like a smart plug and a large wall wart can easily occupy the space and potentially block adjacent outlets on a smaller power strip, so plan your internal layout accordingly.
Interior view of the Iwillink outdoor electrical box housing an extension cord with bulky smart plugs connected.
Choosing the Right Size: Other Weatherproof Options
The market offers various weatherproof electrical boxes to suit different needs. If you require more space, for instance, to accommodate a surge protector for multiple high-draw devices, a larger option like the SockitBox (size large) might be suitable. I use one of these to power my Wi-Fi-connected Traeger Timberline 850 smoker, smart café lights, another set of Eufy pathlights, and Philips Hue landscape spotlights. For simpler needs, like protecting a single small smart plug or wall wart, a more compact solution such as the Flemoon Outdoor Electrical Box could be sufficient.
Conclusion
Safely powering outdoor electronics is crucial for both device longevity and user safety. Weatherproof electrical boxes like the Iwillink offer an affordable and effective way to manage multiple connections, protecting them from the elements. By assessing your specific outdoor power requirements and choosing an appropriately sized and rated box, you can confidently expand your tech into your yard.
