Upside down wall socket

ctc1111 · Mar 2, 2006

Hey I was noticeing how in some houses the electrical outlets on the walls are all upsidedown. Even in fancy homes I've seen this so I don't think its any kind of squirley thing that goes on. Just can't fuiger out why they'd mount them upside down so I fuigered i'd come to the best source of information I've found yet TBN! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Jstpssng · Mar 2, 2006

I'm not sure what you mean by upside down. However, a master electrician once told me that the grounding prong should b up; that way if a receptacle was loose and something fell across the plug prongs it wouldn't ground out.
If that's the case then my receptacles are all upside down... except for the one I changed after paying an electrician to do it wrong(?) the first time.

SWB · Mar 2, 2006

Some electricians put the electric socket operated by the wall switch in that room upside down so you can identify it. If it is the only socket in the room that is upside down and there is no ceiling fixture, but there is a wall switch, then check to see if the wall switch operates that socket. This is done so that you can have a lamp operated by the wall switch and not have to turn it on by hand when you enter the room.

ctc1111 · Mar 2, 2006

thats interesting, In all my houses the ground plugs always been down. Sorry about that though, I wasn't really saying it was wrong, but yanno waht i mean /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

hobbyfarm · Mar 2, 2006

Don't quote me on this, but this from our GC:

According to the last NEC code change ('03?), the ground terminal is supposed to be installed at the 12 'o clock position to indicate compliance with the latest code.
I believe only the commercial installations are actually checked for compliance.

gotrocks · Mar 3, 2006

After reading all posts up to now the only thing that bothers me is when you have a appliance that has one of those "right angle" plugs and the cord has to stick up and then bend down. When I have a situation like that where the plug will stay in place most of the time I take my receptical out and turn it over.
Most of the time I don't blow a fuse or trip a breaker. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

LarryD · Mar 3, 2006

Not quoting you but could you ask your GC what article he's referencing?

Here is a link to Mike Holt's website and an article written for EC&M magazine.

I've heard lots of reasons why the ground pin should be up, plugs go in/out at a slight upward angle therefore ground is first/last to make/break, objects could fall and make contact with hot, and so on.

The fact is I can't find anything in the NEC that dictates the receptacle orientation for a convience outlet. When the inspector came to final my friends shop, his first comment was "You boys must have been in the Navy." All the grounds were up and it was not an issue.

GaryM · Mar 3, 2006

In my house, completed about two years ago, all the receptacles are installed that way. The electricial who did the wireing mostly works industrial jobs. It's not a problems, except as noted with cords that have right angle plugs the cord tends to exit pointed up the wall. I've turned several of those around for that reason.

There was discussion, maybe here or on Country by Net, and we were told that the NEC doesn't specify orientation.

heehaw · Mar 3, 2006

i've done quite a bit of home wiring, and been told all sorts of things about where the gnd plug goes: but i put it on the bottom, just because of the way the plugs that you stick into that thing are made: if they start making the cords different, i might consider changin, but not till then. if they really wanted to make an improvement, they would make them at a 45.
heehaw