Power receptacle orientation, ground prong up?
Power receptacle orientation, ground prong up?
(OP)
Does current code require that the ground prong for a grounded, 115V reeceptacle be the top prong? Most often, the phase and neutral prong are installed at the top.






RE: Power receptacle orientation, ground prong up?
RE: Power receptacle orientation, ground prong up?
David Castor
www.cvoes.com
RE: Power receptacle orientation, ground prong up?
Below is a link to a website which also has much of the same discussion that I summarized in my post above.
http
RE: Power receptacle orientation, ground prong up?
1> Mobile home and recreational vehicle parks.
Rule 72-110 (3) Receptacles, when mounted in other than a horizontal plane shall be oriented so that the U-ground slot is uppermost.
2> Installation of electrical equipment.
Rule 26-744 Supply connections for appliances.
(5) The receptacle required by subrule (4)[Free standing electric range, 50 amps or less]
(c) with the U-ground slot orientated(sic) to either side.
3> Diagram 1
CSA configurations for non-locking receptacles.
All configurations are shown with the ground pin uppermost.
We were once called on this and had to send someone to reorient all the receptacles on a small job. It was easier to change the receptacles than to argue!
Are there any similar (partly conflicting) rules in the NEC
Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter
RE: Power receptacle orientation, ground prong up?
But my standard joke when someone asks me is, you install it with the U of the Ground pin pointing up, because if it's pointing down all the electrons will leak out onto the floor...
"Dear future generations: Please accept our apologies. We were rolling drunk on petroleum."
— Kilgore Trout (via Kurt Vonnegut)
For the best use of Eng-Tips, please click here -> FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Power receptacle orientation, ground prong up?
This question comes up fairly frequently and AFAIK, the answer is always the same - the NEC is silent on the orientation of receptacles. I've discussed this with a few inspectors as well.
I'd put the ground pin on top using similar logic to umrpwr - if something metallic is dropped on a plug that is halfway out, it is more likely to contact ground rather than the hot pin. But that's not much of an reason.
Cheers,
dpc
David Castor
www.cvoes.com
RE: Power receptacle orientation, ground prong up?
Yours
Bill
Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter