Upside Down Recep. Predicament??

Bubbles

We all know code is ground up. Occasionally when you do that homeowner/customer makes you go back and flip them the other way at your expense of course. If you put them ground down inspector might enforce the law! (like jaywalking). Had a case other day. Service call. 1/2 the upstairs went out. Started the process of elimination and at the end of 3 hrs and 23 rec./lights. We located a hidden recep. in closet the homeowner did'nt know was there (very hidden) her kid had little plastic chair up against it with gold chain around it slid down shorting hot to neutral. Point is code would have kept this one from happening in first place. Any other stories on this unenforced code predicament ???

Celtic

Do tell!

What code is this you speak of, grashopper?

...and shine some light of the HO issue of the freebie

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neolitic

So you're the guy! Going replace cabinets for a customer, start to roll refer out to unplug it, POOFFTH! Cord was broken at 90º plug from strain of being plugged in up-side-down for too many years.
Also do I just then stand on my head if I wanted to read what it says on a GFCI outlet?

Speedy Petey

Bubbles, PLEASE tell me this is a joke and you are just looking to stir things up with a ground up/down war.........please.

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Bubbles

99.9% of time I put it ground down but logically ground up is better I think.

Here

http://www.mikeholt.com/technical.ph...%20or%20Ground

mickeyco

This was covered before, it's crucial that the ground holes face down or to the left.

Attached Images

 

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Some people climb mountains. I take out the trash. But we both do it for the same reason.

neolitic

I will agree with this when everyone starts to hang their refrigerators,microwaves,toaster ovens,clothes dryers,window a/c's etc. from the ceiling. Or someone should share this with the folks who make appliance cords.

Forry

I'm told NEC requires ground down, while rec. manufacturers have rated the rec. for ground up only.

Speedy Petey

This is a vastly different statement than your opening statement:


Forry, WHO told you this??? Whoever it was was WRONG on both counts. There is NO such NEC requirement.

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Forry

Not sure, but I think it was an EC from a while back... and I've seen the exhibit 100.11 before. I don't often see outlets with the ground up, but I remember the conversation about hmmm... maybe it was U.L. listed? for ground up? I dunno, but at the time, I considered the source reliable.

mdshunk

Pardon me while I go slit my wrists, since I've had to tolerate this stupid ground up/down thing for the one billionth time.

Sparky Joe

Code says nothing specifically about how to install a receptacle.....or how to install anything for that matter.
I've never read manufacturer instructions for installing a receptacle, but I have seen receps with the writing upside down.
Although if I trimmed a place with them all upside down, I would probably be back there to fix and thought of as a moron in the mean time.

Forry

Agreed. We all know how it's usually done. I wouldn't want mine with the G up, It'd drive me crazy. Did have a commercial installation where it might've made sense though, rec. behind some ovens where sheet pans kept falling off the back of the ovens and tripping the main with a hard short. My EC suggested turning the rec upside down so the pans would hit the G if anything... I said bull*****, tell the bakers to stop throwing the pans off the back of the ovens... problem solved.

Speedy Petey

Just remember one simple rule and you will NEVER be wrong:

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN "UPSIDE DOWN" RECEPTACLE!

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ron schenker

No don't MD you're too young to die

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Don't worry, the baseboard will hide it!

mdshunk

Thanks!



The 360 receptacles rotate. http://www.360electrical.com/#

GSE

You guys, just don't understand how it works, if the receptacle if upside down, you will need to cover it with alum foil, to prevent the electric from leaking out, (Actual call from customer that said his electrical bill had down down, since he covered all the outlets with foil, must be the same guy that heard there was a code on recptacle placement.

Celtic

Dude...a poll is by no means remotely close to actual code.
I respect Mullin's opinion(and I do have some of his titles in my library) - but let's understand one thing first and foremost...it is only his opinion and NOT code.
If you want to follow his opinion, no problem.
Just don't erroneously assume it is "code" and preach it to the masses - that IS a problem.
</rant>

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Celtic

Really...take the time and look it up here:
Online Access to National Electrical Code® Softbound 2008 Edition (NFPA 70)


Alternately, you can provide reference from even one single manufac. that supports "what you were told". Just remember, that one single reference will apply to only that one single manufac. [NEC 110.3(B)]

Get your info straight from the horse's mouth ....we will be waiting for your reply.

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randomkiller

I was taught ground down as an apprentice, but just opinion. Ground up or down, who gets upset by either? What are we talking here four 6-32s max? If the appliance cord hangs right then I would say your done.