I was told by an electrical inspector that the new recommendation is for
the ground plug to be up. The reasoning is that if the plug should be
out from the socket a little and something metallic drop on it, there
will be less likelihood of a short across the hot blades. I saw this
happen at a convenience store where my wife worked - the stainless steel
rear panel on the back of a soda machine slipped out of the repairman's
hands and fell on the (ground on the bottom) plug - lots of smoke and
lights going out. So I guess it makes sense. But I don't think it is a
code violation to have it the other way either.
Tim Mullen wrote:
> I have a questions for all the knowledgeable list members.
>
> I have always installed standard three prong 110V outlets with
> the ground "hole" on the bottom. It seemed pretty much standard
> and universal to me. Now I'm working in a newly constructed,
> large building, and all the outlets (except the sideways ones)
> are mounted with the ground prong opening oriented towards the
> top.
>
> The question is; Is there a standard? Is there a "de-facto"
> standard because it been the custom for many years? Or is it
> random, and I never noticed?
>
> Tim Mullen - It's the small things that I always get me...
--
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Mike Sloane
Allamuchy NJ
(msloane@att.net)
<http://home.att.net/~msloane>
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