My Industrial Cabin Build

[WoodChuckDad]

Electrical outlets. Three prong outlet. Which way is which. For years I have heard that the ground should be on the top and some outlets have writing on them that would be upside down if you did otherwise. My wife wants me to have the ground on the bottom. What do you guys think?

 

[BleedingOrange]

Ground on the bottom, but you might want to check with your electrical inspector in your area, just in case they want it the other way, after you have already installed them all, the wrong way. They are the ones you need to please.

 

[ovrszd]

Bottom is customary. My wife wanted them bottom. In my shop I wired them top. No inspector.

 

[Carl_NH]

There is no NEC requirement for up or down, but the majority is ground is down. Some put the ground up if it's a switched outlet for a lamp etc. so you can easily determine which are switched outlets.

 

[EddieWalker]

My understanding is that it's possible for a thin piece of metal to get between the plug and the outlet and touch both of the prongs to create a short, or a hazard when that piece of metal connects both of the prongs. For this reason, it's recommended that the ground be on top. I consider this to be so unlikely that I never do it on my own stuff, but when working on a clients house, I keep them how I find them. Some newer homes have the ground on top, most older homes have it on the bottom.

 

[Gator6x4]

Code for most is the neutral ground, small round hole is at the bottom of the wall plug in receptacle (Green Wire or bare cooper.) The ground (White sheathed wire) is on the left. Look at a plug in socket this is the larger of the two slotted holes. The "hot" wire, (Could be sheathed in black, red etc.) and is on the right side of the wall receptacle. Look on the back of the receptacle at the screws holding the wires to the receptacle. The screw for the power supply, (Usually Black) is brass colored. The screw for the ground (Usually White) is silver colored. The neutral ground is usually hex headed with a Phillip's screw driver slot in the head also.

 

[yanmars]

I had heard in Canada the hole is often put on top.

 

[BigBlue1]

In my 50+ years I've never seen a home or business with the ground on top. Besides, who cares? Put it where you want it. The orientation is irrelevant to function.

 

[ovrszd]

In my 50+ years I've never seen a home or business with the ground on top. Besides, who cares? Put it where you want it. The orientation is irrelevant to function.

In the OP's case, as someone mentioned earlier, he has to please the inspector. I'd want to know their preference before starting.

For me, it's mechanical. When I have a three prong cord end in my hand I tend to have the ground up. My wife is the opposite. So mine are up. Hers are down.

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

Electrical outlets. Three prong outlet. Which way is which. For years I have heard that the ground should be on the top and some outlets have writing on them that would be upside down if you did otherwise. My wife wants me to have the ground on the bottom. What do you guys think?View attachment 780111

There was a code proposal in the 90's to have all grounds oriented up. This did not fly well when it came to comments about the proposal.
For me each situation has its own best installation practice.
- Polorized wall wart? If ground is up the cord will have stress on it as the cord will come out of the top of the wall wart (transformer).
- Some manufacturers use 90 degree plugs on there equipment so the cord is flush to the wall when plugged in. With the ground in the up position, most that I have worked with eventually had problems for the same reason as above. The cord goes up, then has to loop down creating stress on the cord. Had a higher rate of repairs with these plugs in this orientation.
Up, down, sideways, it really doesn't matter as the risk is so low it is almost not worth the discussion. But I have worked in areas where the orientation has been all of the above to pass inspection.
Personally, If I had metal cover plates I would install with the ground up. If Nylon or plastic I would install with the ground down. If 90 degree plug was intended for a location, ground down.