Proper orientation for NEMA 5-15 outlets

[GaryBDavis]

Is there a proper orientation for NEMA 5-15 outlets? These are the standard 120V AC outlets found in most homes. The reason I ask is that my chart of NEMA configurations shows the ground pin at the top, as it does for most all the receptacles. However, in most homes, the ground pin is on the bottom. Does it really matter?

As with all electrical questions posted here, let the war-of-words (opinions) start…

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

No Nema doesn't specify receptcle oreintation. Most prefer grounds down. In the electrical world there has been a good arguement for ground up. If a conductive material was to slide down a wall onto a plug the ground would be the only conducter contacted (say you were using a tape measure and accidentally hit a plug not fully inserted in the receptcle). But in my mind ground down works because the if the plug were to fall out the ungrounded conducter (hot) and the grounded conductor (neutral) would pop out and the ground which is longer would still be connected.

Matt T.

 

[billbill1]

I agree with Matt, that's how I understand it too.

 

[shaley]

There was a move by NFPA to place all the ground pins at the top in order to prevent the condition of having a loose metal face plate come loose and drop down on a partially plugged in plug thereby shorting the two power conductors. If the ground is at the top the plate falls on the ground conductor and does not cause a spark. Metal face plates are mostly a thing of the past and most people will keep them tightened down so this never became an actual code req. just a suggestion. For me, I just place the plug label wording so it is up and readable but better to check your local code than get the info from some tractor whack job on the internet.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Shaley, who exactly is the "tractor whack job" you speak of ? I certainlty hope you aren't taking shots at other TBN members. Well back to the facts, the NEC (written by the NFPA) does not specify receptcle orientation. I am aware that many states do not use the NEC. I'd call your local government and ask about the local codes (if any) if there aren't anything specifically on the matter, I'd go with the NEC.

Matt T.

 

[GaryBDavis]

...better to check your local code than get the info from some tractor whack job on the internet.

That's almost as funny as your tag line!

I've also heard the comment about metal objects falling down on a partially plugged in cord.

I'm out in the country and not covered by any local codes. I think I'll install half of them up and the other half down. That way, I'll be only halfway wrong no matter which is right.

 

[BXRICK]

I am in no way an export on electrical codes (among many other things...).

What I DO know is that because there doesn't seem be a standard, I always find myself trying to plug something in under or behind something in the dark, and without knowing which way up the ground is, it's quite hard to do.

So, you end up feeling the receptacle with your hand, trying to tell which way it is installed.
Which is hardly safe.

 

[randy41]

some appliances have those plugs that sit flat (sort of) against the wall so you don't want to install the receptacle so that the wire comes out of the top of the plug when you plug it in. c'mon....you guys know what i'm talkin' about.

 

[Defective]

Back in the days when I was learning the trade, I had plug orientation explained to me this way:

"Always put the ground at the bottom so the customer sees a face. Then they'll think it's installed right."

Since that time, I've always installed with the ground at the top. (The old guy that trained me had a box of fried tools in his truck...particularly tapes...)

Not to step on Matt's toes, but if the plug comes out of the wall, it doesn't much matter which way the outlet was installed, it's not connected to anything any more.

One more point: I just wandered around looking at the plugs in my place. Of all the ones that don't point straight out, 3 point away from the ground, 1 towards the ground, 2 point left, 3 point right and 2 point at an angle. I don't think any manufacturer has a clue...

 

[EddieWalker]

If you ever plan to sell your home, you'll find that you will lose prospective buyers because they like the ground on the bottom. It's what people come to expect and what looks natural to them. Once they see something that doesn't look "right" to them, they will start looking for other things. It doesn't matter if it's right or wrong, it's there opinion that matters when they look at the house.

To make it worse, electrical work scares most home owners. They will just as soon walk away from a house with anything that they perceive as needing electrical work. Again, this is perceived, not based on facts. It's very rare that real facts matter when selling a home.

Eddie