Outlet position according to code.

[alvinamorey]

Has anyone determined the correct way to mount an outlet according to code these days? I dont have a current NEC book. For many years everyone mounted them with the ground on the bottom. Then some years back they wanted the ground on the top, the reason given was because of objects falling onto the hot terminal of a plug. After that, it seems like the rules changed again, and the last I heard it was no longer a "rule" but simply personal choice. Of course that was several years ago too.

From a personal point of view, I think they look stupid when the ground is on the top. I can somewhat understand the problem with the hot prong on the top and gravity issue, but aside from a metal outlet cover losing it's screw and falling onto the hot terminal, it seems pretty unlikely that any other metal object would contact the prongs. If a child is playing around an outlet, they can touch the hot prong from the bottom as well as the top. Of course they should get their butt kicked for playing with an outlet, (which of course will violate another law and get the parent sent to prison for physical abuse to a child..... but that's another issue, not to be discussed here).

In the end, it seems that this matter becomes pretty senseless in the end. If the prongs of a plug are that loose, the plug usually falls out of the wall. As long as people keep metal (and all) outlet cover plate screws tight, there should be no real issue.

But code is code, (right or wrong). According to code, what is the latest "approved" method to mount an outlet? I am asking this because I have an old neighbor who calls himself an electrician. (In reality, he's a handyman who does some minor electrical work, such as adding an outlet). He said he has not read the code in at least ten years, (probably more than 20 years). Yet he insists that my outlets all need to be flipped to put the ground on the top.

Alvin

[Eric]

Too bad, I assume this is existing outlets not new construction?

Otherwise you could mount them sideways just to piss him off!

;^)

Eric Law

[RBM]

You can't mount it face up in a counter top. Other than that it's your choice

[The Freon Cowboy]

ive never failed an inspection going ground down ;-)

[e-mail] wrote:

these days? I dont have a current NEC book. For many yearsÿeveryone mounted them with the ground on the bottom. Then some yearspback they wanted the ground on the top, the reason given was because
of objects falling onto the hot terminal of a plug. After that, it
seems like the rules changed again, and the last I heard it was no?longer a "rule" but simply personal choice. Of course that wasrseveral years ago too.
From a personal point of view, I think they look stupid when theground is on the top. I can somewhat understand the problem with the
hot prong on the top and gravity issue, but aside from a metal outlet?cover losing it's screw and falling onto the hot terminal, it seemsØpretty unlikely that any other metal object would contact the prongs.
If a child is playing around an outlet, they can touch the hot prongsfrom the bottom as well as the top. Of course they should get theirmbutt kicked for playing with an outlet, (which of course will violate
another law and get the parent sent to prison for physical abuse to achild..... but that's another issue, not to be discussed here).?In the end, it seems that this matter becomes pretty senseless in theÎend. If the prongs of a plug are that loose, the plug usually fallsRout of the wall. As long as people keep metal (and all) outlet cover
plate screws tight, there should be no real issue.v
But code is code, (right or wrong). According to code, what is the
latest "approved" method to mount an outlet? qI am asking this because I have an old neighbor who calls himself an
electrician. (In reality, he's a handyman who does some minor~electrical work, such as adding an outlet). He said he has not read
the code in at least ten years, (probably more than 20 years). Yet he?insists that my outlets all need to be flipped to put the ground onxthe top. Alvin

[Steve Barker LT]

there is no rule on this, other than no face up on a counter as previously mentioned. Never has been. so tell mr. electrician to produce some documention (from ANY year) that proves his point.

s

[hallerb]

ground up is better, having once dropped change into a outlet with ground down. the spark display was impressive:(

some new homes all outlets but swiched ones are ground up, switched ones ground down. saves service calls for dead outets

[Doug Miller]

The Code doesn't care, and never has.

My guess is, he's *never* read a Code book. Want to make some easy money? Bet him fifty bucks he can't show you *any* edition of the NEC, no matter how ancient or recent, that specifies whether receptacles in walls must be mounted up, down, or sideways. He doesn't have the first clue what he's talking about.

[terry]

. Alvin: We recently had a long long thread here on this ng on this very topic. It covered all the options and the outcome was that unless there is written local code in some jurisdiction, there is nothing in the National Electrical Code (American) that defines up, down or sideways! Here in Canada where our systems (especially residential/domestic) are very similar we have found nothing either. Here, in this part of Canada it does seem that some of the wal-warts and small chargers for rechargeable batteries, cell phones, rechargeable flashlights etc. presently available are easier to use with the ground on the bottom. But that is only a personal observation. Built this house some 37 years ago; ours tend to be on the bottom or occasionally sideways! Terry

[Terry]

If you look at most receptacles, the manufacturer's writing on the outlet is right side up with the ground prong up.

I vote up.

We were required to put them "up" in Atlanta health care facilities.

[Terry]

Is there a section in Health Care?

I don't use that online code book because I don't use Java due to security risks.

[Phisherman]

Either way is acceptable. Install all the outlets in the same orientation.

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Code does not care. Seems to be getting more and more the accepted practice to have them ground up, especially in offices where a paper clip could fall onto the prongs. I don't know if there are any documented cases of a paper clip falling onto prongs though.

In my case, two room air conditioners would have the cord hand better if the pin was up. I recently bought a power strip and the cord can be rotated on the plug to easily accommodate either.

[dicko]

But all those 3 neon bulb outlet testers they sell have their wording right side up if the outlet is ground prong down. You'd have to stand on your head to use one if the ground prong was up.

My stove needs a ground prong down outlet, my refridgerator needs a ground prong up outlet.

-dickm

[Doug Miller]

None that I'm aware of -- not that it would be relevant to the OP anyway.

It's not available at the moment anyway...

[alvinamorey]

Just curious. I have heard about this online code book. Where is it (the URL)?

[alvinamorey]

Too bad they dont make outlets where the ground pin can be rotated to the preferred side. .

I never realized how confusing and complicated this could all get. The point about the neon tester is a good one, since they are intended for the ground down. As far as paperclips landing on outlets in an office, that should be grounds for dismissal. Throwing paperclips is dangerous and should not be tolerated. Heaven forbid if the ground prong was UP, and the paperclip got hung on it, and touched the hot prong as it spun around the ground prong.

I sure am glad the code dont specify the correct way, the whole world would be in chaos......

[RBM]

[RBM]

Although it's never been in the NEC, I remember around 10 -12 years ago, electrical inspectors telling us to start installing outlets with ground up, because it was going to be code. I also remember at the same time right angle plugs started coming out with ground up, but nothing ever came of it. The rational for ground up, always seemed a little lame to me. Those folks in Batterymarch Park have a little to much time on their hands

[Steve Barker LT]

It's not a little lame. It's a LOT lame.

s

[Steve Barker LT]

required by who?

s