Proper orientation for NEMA 5-15 outlets

[GaryBDavis]

Is there a proper orientation for NEMA 5-15 outlets? These are the standard 120V AC outlets found in most homes. The reason I ask is that my chart of NEMA configurations shows the ground pin at the top, as it does for most all the receptacles. However, in most homes, the ground pin is on the bottom. Does it really matter?

As with all electrical questions posted here, let the war-of-words (opinions) start…

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

No Nema doesn't specify receptcle oreintation. Most prefer grounds down. In the electrical world there has been a good arguement for ground up. If a conductive material was to slide down a wall onto a plug the ground would be the only conducter contacted (say you were using a tape measure and accidentally hit a plug not fully inserted in the receptcle). But in my mind ground down works because the if the plug were to fall out the ungrounded conducter (hot) and the grounded conductor (neutral) would pop out and the ground which is longer would still be connected.

Matt T.

 

[billbill1]

I agree with Matt, that's how I understand it too.

 

[shaley]

There was a move by NFPA to place all the ground pins at the top in order to prevent the condition of having a loose metal face plate come loose and drop down on a partially plugged in plug thereby shorting the two power conductors. If the ground is at the top the plate falls on the ground conductor and does not cause a spark. Metal face plates are mostly a thing of the past and most people will keep them tightened down so this never became an actual code req. just a suggestion. For me, I just place the plug label wording so it is up and readable but better to check your local code than get the info from some tractor whack job on the internet.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Shaley, who exactly is the "tractor whack job" you speak of ? I certainlty hope you aren't taking shots at other TBN members. Well back to the facts, the NEC (written by the NFPA) does not specify receptcle orientation. I am aware that many states do not use the NEC. I'd call your local government and ask about the local codes (if any) if there aren't anything specifically on the matter, I'd go with the NEC.

Matt T.

 

[GaryBDavis]

...better to check your local code than get the info from some tractor whack job on the internet.

That's almost as funny as your tag line!

I've also heard the comment about metal objects falling down on a partially plugged in cord.

I'm out in the country and not covered by any local codes. I think I'll install half of them up and the other half down. That way, I'll be only halfway wrong no matter which is right.

 

[BXRICK]

I am in no way an export on electrical codes (among many other things...).

What I DO know is that because there doesn't seem be a standard, I always find myself trying to plug something in under or behind something in the dark, and without knowing which way up the ground is, it's quite hard to do.

So, you end up feeling the receptacle with your hand, trying to tell which way it is installed.
Which is hardly safe.

 

[randy41]

some appliances have those plugs that sit flat (sort of) against the wall so you don't want to install the receptacle so that the wire comes out of the top of the plug when you plug it in. c'mon....you guys know what i'm talkin' about.

 

[Defective]

Back in the days when I was learning the trade, I had plug orientation explained to me this way:

"Always put the ground at the bottom so the customer sees a face. Then they'll think it's installed right."

Since that time, I've always installed with the ground at the top. (The old guy that trained me had a box of fried tools in his truck...particularly tapes...)

Not to step on Matt's toes, but if the plug comes out of the wall, it doesn't much matter which way the outlet was installed, it's not connected to anything any more.

One more point: I just wandered around looking at the plugs in my place. Of all the ones that don't point straight out, 3 point away from the ground, 1 towards the ground, 2 point left, 3 point right and 2 point at an angle. I don't think any manufacturer has a clue...

 

[EddieWalker]

If you ever plan to sell your home, you'll find that you will lose prospective buyers because they like the ground on the bottom. It's what people come to expect and what looks natural to them. Once they see something that doesn't look "right" to them, they will start looking for other things. It doesn't matter if it's right or wrong, it's there opinion that matters when they look at the house.

To make it worse, electrical work scares most home owners. They will just as soon walk away from a house with anything that they perceive as needing electrical work. Again, this is perceived, not based on facts. It's very rare that real facts matter when selling a home.

Eddie

 

[GaryBDavis]

Okay, here's what I think I will do:

Work Shop
Ground at the top. These are all in surface mount steel boxes with exposed EMT conduit, so it has a different feel from the home. Falling metal things are much more likely to come in contact with a partially plugged in outlet so I'll do what's probably closer to technically right.

House
Ground at the bottom. So it will look normal to most folks.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Not to beat a dead horse but there is no clearcut right. I doubt you'll have a problem either way. On a side note, in an area where there are no local codes do you follow state code instead? I can't believe in this day in age there isn't someone governing approved building methods. In the NorthEast most state adopt the national code (NEC) but state can also make ammendments (Mass has some) But the local towns (atleast in CT,RI,MA) don't make electrical codes. I know NYC has thier own version also.

Matt T.

 

[SPIKER]

Hi All:

Just my 2 cents worth on this one, I too was told that the GROUND IS DOWN (as a rule as it was under you're feet and was an easy way to remember it!) BUT recently it has swung the other way just as people have already stated that the ground should in fact be UP to prevent the short if any metal slipped in behind the plugs which were/are installed. I also work as industrial Electrician which uses primarily metal boxes and we pretty much always BLACK TAPE over the sides/screws/wire when installing them. SOME of the guys don't do this and it can be a good way to find out which breaker feds the outlet when ya remove the receptical and pop the breaker.! For a while I had heard that there was some hubbub about putting it into the code book but I don't know what happened if it is or will be? wisdom sometimes excapes the rulebook only to be tossed out with the trash.

mark M

 

[Farwell]

According to what I have read on Mike Holt's Internet news letter, the NEC has this brought up almost every time they meet to establish guidelines and every time they end up saying that either way is not in violation. They will not make a ruling either way. So I guess it is up to the local codes or the installers preference.
I standardize because it really is a pain if some receptacles have the ground pin up and others pin down, especially as posted above, trying to plug something in a receptacle in the dark.
David B

 

[GaryBDavis]

On a side note, in an area where there are no local codes do you follow state code instead? I can't believe in this day in age there isn't someone governing approved building methods. In the NorthEast most state adopt the national code (NEC) but state can also make ammendments (Mass has some) But the local towns (atleast in CT,RI,MA) don't make electrical codes. I know NYC has thier own version also.

Matt T.

Having spent some time in Mass, I can tell you that Texas is different from the northeast when it comes to regulations. I'm building my house in an unincorporated area so there is no city code to follow. In Texas, the state doesn't give the county authority to regulate unincorporated areas. The only inspection/permit I had to get was from the county health department for the septic system. Still, NEC guidelines where followed. Really, it makes not sense not to follow basic NEC codes.

 

[schmism]

i harken back to a more simplified time of 2 prong plugs

with no ground you expect the nutral on the right.... (the long slot)

this convetion would put the ground on the top...

but i install ground down....

 

[caver]

Is there a proper orientation for NEMA 5-15 outlets?

No.
You can even orient them horizontal.

 

[Iowachild]

No.
You can even orient them horizontal.

BINGO!

You can also put them in the floor!

 

[Jagmandave]

FWIW, I put them ground down in housing, ground up in industrial settings.............no, I don't know why!

I do know that I've always seen them ground pin down in homes, and the plant I work in has all the 120V recptacle ground pin up - so that's what I do........

 

[GaryBDavis]

No.
You can even orient them horizontal.

So does the ground pin go to the left or right?