My Industrial Cabin Build

[buckeyefarmer]

I install mine ground down, I just think they look better.
Some commercial jobs required them up, but I think it was local code. The reason is you could unscrew a metal plate cover, with something partly plugged in, and cover could drop and short out. Pretty lame excuse to me, why would anyone be removing a cover with something plugged in?

 

[gary49]

I find the vast majority in Albemarle County are ground down. Doesn’t matter to the inspector. I’d say keep your wife happy.

 

[BigBlue1]

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.

It wouldn't be up to an inspector to dictate that based on their opinion. It's what code says. Do you know of code anywhere in the US that requires ground up?

 

[ovrszd]

It wouldn't be up to an inspector to dictate that based on their opinion. It's what code says. Do you know of code anywhere in the US that requires ground up?

I do not. Are all codes the same? I hear variations here on TBN all the time. Even in this discussion.

I still say, talk to the inspector first. Much easier than changing a house full of receptacles.

 

[dstig1]

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.

Ah yes the old ground prong debate...

Per Eddie's comment above, I am here to tell you I am the One Guy this actually happened to. I was picking up tools after a project and had my electric drill still plugged in (yes that long ago that cordless was not so common). I was carrying too much stuff in my hands (I'm a guy...) and the metal square I was holding slipped out of my hand and actually connected the prongs on the drill plug to short and pop the breaker. The plug had backed out slightly allowing it to happen. Total freak accident that caused no real harm other than a couple arc spots on the square.

I have heard some commercial applications require ground prong up, esp if you have metal outlet covers (cover comes loose, slips down, does what happened to me) but have not heard of it ever being generally required and esp not single fam residential.

After my incident, I started putting them in ground up. I later found out why this is a bad idea on the heavy extension cords I was using during my house build. The weight of the cord would pull down on it and stress the ground prong. Over time the ground prongs would break off. So I stopped doing that.

My advice based on experience, is ground down. And don't even ask the inspector. No need to poke the bear.

 

[dodge man]

How about a compromise and sideways?

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Never poke the bear.

 

[bnold]

All large commercial in my area is ground up.

I wired my house/shop also ground up, but a lot of items in my house are somewhat resi-mercial

 

[Gator6x4]

The Family Handyman has this to say about installing wall receptacles.

He also makes a point about the design of the electrical plugs on some appliances favor a neutral ground down installation by design.

What is the Correct Way to Install Electrical Outlets: Ground Up or Down?

One of the first things people get confused about when trying to install an electrical outlet is which way is right side up!

www.familyhandyman.com

 

[747driver]

Oh those pesky inspectors who who sometimes just want to make life hard on those of us who do our own work ! I always put my ground on the top. It looks better to me and my natural grasp of a cord with a ground prong is always positioned with the ground prong on top. Always been told that commercial work has the ground on top for reasons already explained here.

So...how many here wrap the outlet with electrician tape to cover the connections, so as to prevent something coming in contact and shorting out the outlet ? I do it all the time.