Does the 2008 NEC specify which way to orient 3-prong outlets?
Should it be
ground on top
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or
ground on bottom
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?
The tradition seems to be ground on bottom, but I heard it is safer to have ground on top so falling coins are less likely to short out a loosely plugged in plug.
But little kids dont think its a face. When my daughter was little the only outlet in her room that she could see frightened her until I turned it with the ground up.
That's probably as good as answer as any (basically, "it's completely arbitrary, so orient it the way 99% of other outlets are oriented".)
However, there are good reasons to put them in "upside down" (i.e., ground pin up). Last time I was in a hospital, I noticed that almost all the outlets were "upside down", and later heard/read that this is to prevent sparks and shocks should a metal implement fall down along the wall and contact a plug in an outlet. Makes sense. I'm even starting to put in some outlets this way.
Oh, and I've also noticed that having the ground pin on top tends to hold 3-prong plugs in the outlet more tightly and resist the plug falling out, like when you're using an extension cord and tug on it.
Yahbut, it's good that little kids are frightened of outlets? Perhaps you should've plugged in those little plastic 'childproofers' into the outlets to disguise them?
Discussions here have centered around ground down, except when the outlet is on a wall switch. I doubt most people would know that code if they didn't own the home when it was under construction, but those who pay attention could notice the difference and ask or figure it out.
I have 3 receptacles on wall switches. I should check them..... The one I can get to is ground down, like the other outlets in the house. That's what happens when the electrician is a durn furiner.
I read that here too, and is my nature, I believe things when I first hear them. But in my life, I've only dropped coins in the middle of the bedroom when I take off my pants, and off the front edge of kitchen table. I also don't have any loosely plugged in plugs, and if I did, I can't imagine a coin getting in one.
But little kids dont think its a face. When my daughter was little the only outlet in her room that she could see frightened her until I turned it with the ground up.
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