Electrical Codes, Residential A ?...Anyone?
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
Might as well mount them sideways. That way theres the ground prong protecting it from falling out, and the neutral or hot prong. Or wait, we could actually devise a system to wire the plug right into the outlet, that way we really minimize the risk of anything happening!
Silly idea mounting the ground plug up IMO.
Silly idea mounting the ground plug up IMO.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 259
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From: Wyoming County, New York
I'm guessing that Greg 79 f150 will peek in here again:
1) Only about half my grounds are up, almost half are down, and some have none at all (remember when we only had two prong plugs?).
2) Someone must have taken notice or we'd still have two prong plugs/receptacles.
3) What's wrong with opinions? All facts and no play (opinions) make Jack a dull boy!
4) As I said in the original, our code changed. Wiring done in late '70's done one way, wiring done last year done another and I wondered what made us so dumb in 1978 and so much smarter now? So I asked the question. Kinda regrettin' it now.
1) Only about half my grounds are up, almost half are down, and some have none at all (remember when we only had two prong plugs?).
2) Someone must have taken notice or we'd still have two prong plugs/receptacles.
3) What's wrong with opinions? All facts and no play (opinions) make Jack a dull boy!
4) As I said in the original, our code changed. Wiring done in late '70's done one way, wiring done last year done another and I wondered what made us so dumb in 1978 and so much smarter now? So I asked the question. Kinda regrettin' it now.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Ground prong UP is the proper way to install the outlets. Many HD electrical cords for appliances plug in correctly that way. It used to be that was the ONLY way they came. Unfortunately many people (homeowners) install the plugs ground pin down because they look like little faces and therefore look "right". Unfortunately due to the fact that many people had these upside-down receptacles appliance manufacturers started making their cords to fit them. The NEC really does need to come out and definitively describe the proper mounting orientation. Ground pin up or neutral pin up if mounted horizontally.
BTW, I have had a metal object slide down and hit a plug several times. both in the home and in the shop. My outlets are about half and half with a number of two prong still around. Some items are made with polarized plugs and will not plug in properly half the time.
BTW, I have had a metal object slide down and hit a plug several times. both in the home and in the shop. My outlets are about half and half with a number of two prong still around. Some items are made with polarized plugs and will not plug in properly half the time.
Last edited by Torque1st; Dec 10, 2006 at 07:39 PM.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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That is why they need one. If I remember right there used to be some "suggestions" but I don't even recall seeing those anymore. Probably too many people with $$$ did not want to rewire their tenement buildings and paid off the code writers. That is the way it is done here in the USA.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
If the cord pulling out is such an issue then the outlet needs to be replaced. As long as everything is in good shape and not worn out there is no reason that something will and short out the contacts if its plugged in ALL THE WAY.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 259
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From: Wyoming County, New York
Originally Posted by Torque1st
Ground prong UP is the proper way to install the outlets. Many HD electrical cords for appliances plug in correctly that way. It used to be that was the ONLY way they came. Unfortunately many people (homeowners) install the plugs ground pin down because they look like little faces and therefore look "right". Unfortunately due to the fact that many people had these upside-down receptacles appliance manufacturers started making their cords to fit them. The NEC really does need to come out and definitively describe the proper mounting orientation. Ground pin up or neutral pin up if mounted horizontally.
BTW, I have had a metal object slide down and hit a plug several times. both in the home and in the shop. My outlets are about half and half with a number of two prong still around. Some items are made with polarized plugs and will not plug in properly half the time.
BTW, I have had a metal object slide down and hit a plug several times. both in the home and in the shop. My outlets are about half and half with a number of two prong still around. Some items are made with polarized plugs and will not plug in properly half the time.
Well, it's as good as code here now 'cuz the inspector won't give you a C. of O. otherwise. As far as before, EVERY outlet I ever saw anywhere between the old 2 pronger and the change a few years back were groung down. If it wasn't code, it was "the way you were supposed to do it"...even commercial wiring was done that way.
Who knows...go figger?
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 61
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati, OH
Sheesh! Wouldn't it just be easier to move the picture over a few inches so it won't fall on the outlet.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Wyoming County, New York
Originally Posted by lo
Sheesh! Wouldn't it just be easier to move the picture over a few inches so it won't fall on the outlet.
...makes way too much SENSE!!
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 589
Likes: 3
From: Villa Rica, GA
As Torque1st said ... a lot of refrigerators, washers and other appliances and tools have cords that plug in with the ground prong up. of course most outlets are installed with the prong down so these cords are plugged in upside down.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,007
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From: Oregon
I've never seen a receptacle professionally installed around here with the ground up.
I was taught that you put the ground down, so that if the plug started to pull out the applience would always be grounded. Much like you ground the cover plate on an emt install.
If the ground was up and the plug was pulled down - the circuit could still be energized without the required ground.
So what if the wire from a picture came crashing down on the two prongs? That's what breakers are for. Arcing can happen either way - a receptacle that is wore out, is just wore out. Most of the time I've seen arc problems with high current items like the fridge, disposal and those little space heaters.
For safety, there's no reason those kind of things can't be hardwired. From a builders standpoint they install receptacles to make it easy for the new homeowner, but how often do you check the plug behind the fridge for signs of arc? If you see black on the receptacle - time to swap it out.
Ground up or down, the plug is at little kid level no matter what you do. hopefully, it's just a finger that completes the circuit.
I was taught that you put the ground down, so that if the plug started to pull out the applience would always be grounded. Much like you ground the cover plate on an emt install.
If the ground was up and the plug was pulled down - the circuit could still be energized without the required ground.
So what if the wire from a picture came crashing down on the two prongs? That's what breakers are for. Arcing can happen either way - a receptacle that is wore out, is just wore out. Most of the time I've seen arc problems with high current items like the fridge, disposal and those little space heaters.
For safety, there's no reason those kind of things can't be hardwired. From a builders standpoint they install receptacles to make it easy for the new homeowner, but how often do you check the plug behind the fridge for signs of arc? If you see black on the receptacle - time to swap it out.
Ground up or down, the plug is at little kid level no matter what you do. hopefully, it's just a finger that completes the circuit.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
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Wonder Which Way The Ground Prongs Go Here?
Stole this from CountrySweetie's post of today under "They speak for themselves":
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/toh...1220600,00.html
I think this thread has outlived its usefulness
Dave
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/toh...1220600,00.html
I think this thread has outlived its usefulness
Dave
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