A master electrician flagged a permanent lighting install for code violations: uncertified power supply, active cooling fan in a sealed enclosure, exposed
From our galleryA Calgary Home Failed Electrical Inspection Because of Permanent Lights
A homeowner in Calgary recently had their permanent lighting system flagged during a routine electrical inspection by a master electrician. The system was installed by another company and looked fine from the street. But when the inspector opened the control box, the problems were obvious.
The install failed inspection. Here is what went wrong and why it matters for anyone considering permanent outdoor lighting.
What the Inspector Found
The control box mounted on the exterior of the home had multiple code violations:
1. No Electrical Certification (No UL or cUL Listing)
The power supply inside the box had no UL or cUL listing for outdoor wet-location use. In Alberta, electrical equipment installed outdoors must carry recognized certification marks. Without them, the installation does not meet the Canadian Electrical Code and cannot pass inspection.
This is not a technicality. Certification means the device has been independently tested for fire safety, electrical fault protection, and environmental exposure. An uncertified box is an untested box.
2. Airflow Openings in an Enclosure Not Rated for Them
Look closely at the photo. The power supply is air cooled, and the enclosure has been opened up to feed it. Those openings were not engineered, tested, or sealed. They are holes cut into a box whose job is to keep rain, snow, humidity, insects, and dust out.
Active cooling is not the problem on its own. Plenty of certified outdoor equipment uses it. The problem is that once an enclosure has an airflow path, that path has to be designed and independently tested so it does not defeat the wet-location rating. Filtered intakes, baffled exits, drainage and sealed internals are all part of that engineering.
An uncertified box with a fan cut into it has had none of that work done, and nobody independent has checked whether it survives an Alberta winter. The GOULY Gen 3 certified control box is UL and cUL listed for outdoor wet-location use, which is the rating that covers exactly this: the enclosure and its thermal management tested together, as one assembly.
3. Exposed and Unprotected Wiring
The wiring inside the box was loose, unorganized, and exposed. Wire nuts and push connectors were visible with no strain relief. This creates multiple failure points:
- Vibration from wind can loosen connections over time
- Moisture ingress corrodes exposed copper
- A single loose wire can arc, creating a fire hazard
- No strain relief means pulling on external wires transfers force to internal connections
4. Two-Way Air Path (Ingress Points)
The enclosure had multiple unsealed conduit entries and cable pass-throughs. These create a chimney effect where warm air rises out of one opening and pulls cool, moist air in through another. Over an Alberta winter with freeze-thaw cycles, this means:
- Condensation forms inside the box
- Water freezes on electrical contacts
- Thaw cycles cause corrosion
- The cycle repeats every chinook
This is exactly why outdoor electrical enclosures must be rated IP65 or higher with properly sealed cable glands, not open conduit holes.
Why This Matters for Homeowners
Most homeowners will never open their control box. They see lights on the roofline, the app works, and they assume everything is fine. But behind the scenes, an improperly installed system is:
- A fire risk from uncertified components and loose wiring
- An insurance liability since non-code-compliant electrical work may void your home insurance
- A failed inspection when you sell your home or do any electrical work that triggers an inspection
- A ticking clock as moisture degrades connections season after season
The homeowner in this case paid for a "professional" install. They had no way of knowing the control box was not code-compliant until an inspector opened it.
What a Certified Install Looks Like
The GOULY Gen 3 control box that Number One Lights installs is:
- UL and cUL listed (E483482) for outdoor wet-location use
- Enclosure and thermal management tested together as a single certified assembly
- IP rated for rain, snow, humidity, and dust
- 24V architecture which generates less heat than a 12V system over the same run
- Organized internal wiring with proper strain relief and sealed cable glands
- Class 2 isolated power supply keeping electrical output within safer limits
This is not a premium upgrade. This is the baseline standard for every Number One Lights installation.
How to Protect Yourself
If you are getting quotes for permanent lighting, ask every installer these questions:
- Is the control box UL or cUL listed for outdoor wet-location use? Ask for the listing number.
- Does the power supply use active cooling (a fan)? If yes, ask how the enclosure stays weatherproof with airflow openings.
- Will the installation pass an electrical inspection? A legitimate installer will say yes without hesitation.
- Can I see a photo of a completed control box install? Look for organized wiring, sealed entries, and no exposed connections.
- What is the IP rating of the enclosure? It should be IP65 or higher for outdoor use.
If the installer cannot answer these questions clearly, that is your answer.
The Bottom Line
Permanent outdoor lighting is a real electrical installation, not a decoration. It connects to your home's power, runs 24/7 through every season, and sits on your exterior for 15+ years. The control box is the heart of the system. If it is not certified, not sealed, and not properly wired, everything downstream is compromised.
The homeowner in this case is now paying to have the failed system removed and replaced with a properly certified installation. The "savings" from choosing a cheaper installer cost them double.
Get a free quote from Number One Lights and see what a certified installation looks like for your home.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. If the control box is not UL or cUL listed for outdoor wet-location use, the installation does not meet the Canadian Electrical Code and will fail inspection.
Active cooling is not the issue on its own. The issue is whether the enclosure was designed and independently tested with that airflow path in it. A certified wet-location box handles cooling without letting rain, snow, humidity, insects and dust reach the electronics. An uncertified box with openings cut into it has had none of that testing.
Ask your installer for the UL or cUL listing number. The GOULY Gen 3 control box carries listing E483482. If your installer cannot provide a listing number, the equipment may not be certified.
Potentially yes. Non-code-compliant electrical work can void your home insurance coverage. If a fire or electrical fault traces back to uncertified equipment, your claim may be denied.
A certified control box should be UL or cUL listed for wet locations, have organized internal wiring with strain relief, sealed cable glands rather than open conduit holes, and an IP65 or higher rating. Ask for the listing number and confirm the rating covers the enclosure as an assembly.
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