[Diamond D.]

I've been meaning to ask this for some time now and while reading through SFO's "Tread Thread" yesterday, I figured, now is as good a time as any, so here goes.

I've even included a poll to simplify a running tally.

Quite simple really, just like the title asks...

How do "You" install 15 & 20 A receptacles and why?

Ground pin up & to the left.
Or
Down & to the right.

I'm really interested in the Why, so don't be shy on your reasoning.

Thanks for your insights,
D.

 

[griz]

So, is this gonna be another ground up or down argument?...:whistling

 

[Tom M]

Well it's been argued that ground up will prevent accidentally bridging the leads if something touched with the plug not although way in. Because that happens.....

Then there's the smiley face position. Ground down.

 

[griz]

Only time I recall seeing the ground up being required is in Calif hospital construction. Heard an OSHPD inspector talking about it.

 

[480sparky]

I can't vote.

"Who cares?" isn't an option.

 

[Diamond D.]

Interesting, I guess the search function is broken again.
I only found one thread on the subject from 2008.

Anyway, I wasn't asking for an argument, just opinions, not insults.

My latest experience and why I asked...



Mr. Mod, feel free to shut it down even delete, God forbid if anything is repetitive around here.

Thanks again for the warm replies.
D.

 

[Tom M]

I think your experience explains my first remark. I didn't vote because I have no preference. My electrician does it the traditional way.

 

[overanalyze]

I like ground down and the cover plate screws better be perfectly vertical!!

 

[SmallTownGuy]

Down. Although I must admit that we didn't even have grounded outlets when I first started illegally wiring.:whistling (did I just say illegal?)

We had a kid in school bit through an electrical cord when he was a toddler - effed up mouth for life - didn't matter which way the ground was for him.:no:

 

[66 Shelby]

'Ground pin up to the left, or down to the right'? You mean common?

If you mean ground up or down, then down. Always. Never deviate. Ever. :laughing:

And what about TP? Over or under?

 

[tjbnwi]

Horizontal, ground right. Most mud rings in this area are installed horizontally (we are required to use EMT), so I match what has been a long standing method.

Tom

 

[CarpenterSFO]

In my properties, ground up - I buy the accidental short argument.

Everywhere else, ground down, because that's everyone else wants it. Flush plugs are mostly made for ground down.

 

[CarpenterSFO]

Horizontal, ground right. Most mud rings in this area are installed horizontally (we are required to use EMT), so I match what has been a long standing method.

Tom

Is there is a causal connection between using EMT and having mud rings installed horizontally?

 

[Tinstaafl]

The wires are easier to handle when they enter the ends of the box rather than the sides.

 

[CarpenterSFO]

The wires are easier to handle when they enter the ends of the box rather than the sides.

Thanks. Not running much EMT, and matching existing when I do, I (almost) always use a 4-square box, even if it's a single device.

 

[EthanB]

The job I'm working on now had a decent argument for ground up. The HO called me upstairs to look at a receptacle that had flashed and tripped after shocking his little girl's neck. I found that a penny had been tucked in between the plug and the receptacle and, while the girl and her brother were playing near it, she had fallen into the plug which dropped the penny and it made contact with the back of her neck.

It took me a while to figure out what happened because the penny fell down between the carpet and the baseboard. It was a pretty bizarre combination of events. She was really lucky that it wasn't her face that hit the plug because it was a pretty nasty burn.

 

[TNTRenovate]

Interesting, I guess the search function is broken again.
I only found one thread on the subject from 2008.

Anyway, I wasn't asking for an argument, just opinions, not insults.

My latest experience and why I asked...

View attachment 111508

Mr. Mod, feel free to shut it down even delete, God forbid if anything is repetitive around here.

Thanks again for the warm replies.
D.

I haven't used the search feature in years. Go to Google and just type what you want to search and the add contractortalk to the search string. It will find what you are looking for.

 

[TNTRenovate]

What Tom said. Mostly EMT here by code and the outlets are horizontal.

 

[Jeff G]

I believe (emphasis on the word "believe") the ground up method stems from the use of metal cover plates.

 

[tjbnwi]

Is there is a causal connection between using EMT and having mud rings installed horizontally?

I feel/think it was done to differentiate between NM and an EMT install. Only a feeling, don't know for certain. I think horizontial looks better along the base line of the wall. Just as vertical along door openings looks better.

I also use 1900 (4 square) boxes 99% of the time on/in walls. Some deep, some standard. Once in awhile an 11b. 8b boxes on the ceiling, fan support boxes where needed. Very rarely a single gang.

Tom