Installing Electrical Outlets: Which way is up?

March 16, 8:37 PM [GMT -5]

I understand the theory that if the screw of an outlet should accidently fall out then the metal cover plate "could" fall and if the outlet were ground down the metal plate could short out across the still attached plug. but I surmise that if the ground were up, the metal plate would hit the ground and swing into the plug blades anyway.

for this I recommend 1) use plastic plates and 2) tighten you damm screws.

as the for code ruling regarding this debate.... I submit for your consideration Article 250.124(A) "....receptacles shall provide for first make, last break of the equipment grounding conductor..."

if the ground were up and someone stepped on the cord which would be the FIRST conductor that would be disconnected?

If the ground were down and the same conditions which would be the LAST conductor to be disconnected

of the two senerios which comply s with article 250.124(A)?

March 04, 11:18 AM [GMT -5]

I had my Quebec Canada home wired by a local electrician and all of the outlets were installed with the ground hole up. He said that in Quebec, code says to do it this way because if the plug is accidentally pulled out part way (due to tripping on the cord) the ground post would be exposed, reducing the hazard of electrical shock if touched. I have found that may cords have a molded plug that requires the ground to be down to allow two items to be plugged in the same outlet, so I have flipped all of mine to ground down.

February 27, 3:14 PM [GMT -5]

The article mentions that in Canada the ground is generally installed up - I live in Canada (Ontario and Alberta) and I can't say I've ever seen a home where the builder has installed the ground up. ( usually only seen during a DIY alteration) I agree it should be consistent but personally I like it down. A) if the room is dark and I'm trying to plug in a lamp, I assume it's down. B) The ground on the bottom makes the hole pattern look like a cute little face :o C) The argument about things like a paper clip falling behind the plate and shorting the circuit seems far fetched... how would that happen unless it was deliberate or you were tossing a handful of small metal objects at a receptacle? D) If you're installing the receptacle... don't be sloppy to the point the receptacle has a gap!

February 27, 12:48 PM [GMT -5]

As a member of IBEW local 429, I have installed thousands of receptacles 98% of them in hospitals. Usually on a commercial job it will be in the spec sheets as to what type, brand, color, mounting height, and direction it is to be mounted. The hospital where I currently work is ground up. There reasoning is if anything falls and hits the cord cap it will hit the ground first. But I agree match whats in the room, My work will stand on quality and craftsmanship not because it's different.

January 02, 3:15 PM [GMT -5]

One safety measure to consider is with the ground plug up. If you have metal cover plates that come loose or if the plug is partially out and the plate or some foreign object such as a paper clip would drop down it would hit the ground plug first. Ground plug down would short out the circuit. Chot Mattes (retired electrician)

March 21, 10:13 PM [GMT -5]

sorry for the many post ......... Thanks .....

March 21, 9:58 PM [GMT -5]

When i was trained by the FFPA - federal fire protection agency ... they explained to put the growned down .... because when something fall onto the prongs it will through the breaker .... if the ground is up when it gets grounded electricity will go to the shortest ground which will be you .......

March 21, 9:57 PM [GMT -5]

When i was trained by the FFPA - federal fire protection agency ... they explained to put the growned down .... because when something fall onto the prongs it will through the breaker .... if the ground is up when it gets grounded electricity will go to the shortest ground which will be you .......

March 21, 9:54 PM [GMT -5]

When i was trained by the FFPA - federal fire protection agency ... they explained to put the growned down .... because when something fall onto the prongs it will through the breaker .... if the ground is up when it gets grounded electricity will go to the shortest ground which will be you .......

February 12, 3:57 PM [GMT -5]

Most of the communities I have seen in the North Las Vegas area puts the ground plug on top for the ones connected to a wall switch. This is only for identifying the socket used with the switch.

February 07, 11:11 PM [GMT -5]

There is a safety benefit to installing with the ground hole up. If a conductive object falls across a plug, you are less likely to short with the ground hole up.

January 22, 10:29 AM [GMT -5]

I guess the theory with the ground hole being up is that if the plug is hanging out then if anything falls on the plug it will hit the ground lug and not the powered tabs.

I used to install them ground up but have just followed what is normally seen and
do it ground down now.

January 17, 11:09 PM [GMT -5]

I really have a hard time with the ground lug being up. I always place it down.