Dryer outlets upside down

[ronball]

Inspector made us change outlets , so Ground would be on top. Is their any code that states
this has to be this way. New construction apt bld.
Thx
Ron

 

[AC\DC]

Nope, he just made up that requirement

 

[Little Bill]

I always install them with ground up as that's the way the cord cap is made so that the cord hangs down. With the ground down, the cord would be looped from having to turn the plug to match the receptacle.

 

[petersonra]

If you put the ground on top then doesn't the cord come out the bottom? Maybe easier to route to the dryer that way.

I agree though that it is not a requirement.

 

[ptonsparky]

Inspector made us change outlets , so Ground would be on top. Is their any code that states
this has to be this way. New construction apt bld.
Thx
Ron

Ask him to cite the specific NEC violation.
Geesh...GU or GD.

 

[petersonra]

I always install them with ground up as that's the way the cord cap is made so that the cord hangs down. With the ground down, the cord would be looped from having to turn the plug to match the receptacle.

View attachment 2566348

beat me by a few seconds.

 

[roger]

Inspector made us change outlets , so Ground would be on top. Is their any code that states
this has to be this way. New construction apt bld.
Thx
Ron

Inspector is an idiot and as stated, he's making up rules.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

If you install a receptacle very close to the floor you could put a lot of stress on the cord if the ground is up and the cord comes from below. But not an NEC call unless he sees that cord and plug.... it could be an issue that he has a right to call.

 

[AC\DC]

Turn it sideways and through him for a loop

 

[retirede]

If you put the ground on top then doesn't the cord come out the bottom? Maybe easier to route to the dryer that way.

I agree though that it is not a requirement.

I just helped my niece move a dryer into her house. The receptacle was near the floor so the ground-up orientation caused a tight loop between the floor and receptacle.

I think common sense would dictate a different orientation depending the mounting height of the receptacle.

Edit - sorry, Dennis just covered this!

 

[tom baker]

Just remind the inspector on the #1 rated electrical forum, we don’t allow ground up or ground down questions, because there is no correct answer, and not required in the NEC

 

[infinity]

I would install it ground up so the receptacle labelling isn't upside down. There is no requirement to do so.

 

[petersonra]

Just remind the inspector on the #1 rated electrical forum, we don’t allow ground up or ground down questions, because there is no correct answer, and not required in the NEC

There actually is a "correct" answer. The correct answer is that the code does not require any particular orientation.

It is like many things that are done that some people think are code required but are just common practice.

Think about how many people believe there is some special color code required for 3 phase power conductors.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Surface mounted I would install sideways

 

[letgomywago]

Surface mounted I would install sideways

When replacing ranges with them that's what I do.

 

[norcal]

The only reason the ground/neutral prong being up is more correct is that the right angle plugs molded on the appliance cords won't hang right and makes the installer look ignorant, but not sure a inspector should be requiring it to be changed. This only applies to 30/50A devices, smaller ones can be all over the place.

 

[hillbilly1]

Inspector made us change outlets , so Ground would be on top. Is their any code that states
this has to be this way. New construction apt bld.
Thx
Ron

It would have to be a local requirement (in writing, because he said so, doesn’t make it code)

 

[rc/retired]

Just remind the inspector on the #1 rated electrical forum, we don’t allow ground up or ground down questions, because there is no correct answer, and not required in the NEC

I agree. And normally this thread would be locked.
However, (there's always a however in life), I have seen rational electricians become irrational inspectors.

Ron

 

[letgomywago]

I agree. And normally this thread would be locked.
However, (there's always a however in), I have seen rational electricians become irrational inspectors.

Ron

Discussing things like this reaches a large audience and has the potential to help future inspectors become excellent just as it can help in the field electricians and engineers

 

[Rick 0920]

I always install them with ground up as that's the way the cord cap is made so that the cord hangs down. With the ground down, the cord would be looped from having to turn the plug to match the receptacle.

View attachment 2566348

I do the same for that very reason even though there is no requirement and the cord is always long enough. It just looks better.