Dryer outlets upside down

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retirede

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Illinois
norcal said:
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.
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Again, this may not be true depending the elevation of the receptacle in relation to the direction the cord is approaching from.
 
infinity

infinity

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As mentioned it's not a code requirement but IMO it should be installed so that the angled cord isn't folded over since it's just a better installation. If we installed it ground down I would have it changed to ground up.
 
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letgomywago

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Location
Washington state and Oregon coast
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residential electrician
infinity said:
As mentioned it's not a code requirement but IMO it should be installed so that the angled cord isn't folded over since it's just a better installation. If we installed it ground down I would have it changed to ground up.
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I could see if someone made a cord with SO cord and an end that isn't 90d then either way would work and be find but that is a very odd situation to be in since appliance pigtails are cheap and commonplace.
 
roger

roger

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letgomywago said:
I could see if someone made a cord with SO cord and an end that isn't 90d then either way would work and be find but that is a very odd situation to be in since appliance pigtails are cheap and commonplace.
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Not saying there isn't one but I don't think dryer cord caps are made in anything other than ground away from cord entry.
 
mtnelect

mtnelect

HVAC & Electrical Contractor
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Southern California
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Contractor, C10 & C20 - Semi Retired
ronball said:
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
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I read this somewhere: The grounding terminal should be oriented towards the top of the receptacle, to prevent objects from falling down B/T the face plate and the plug.
 
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winnie

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Location
Springfield, MA, USA
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Electric motor research
mtnelect said:
I read this somewhere: The grounding terminal should be oriented towards the top of the receptacle, to prevent objects from falling down B/T the face plate and the plug.
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That is a recommendation, not a requirement.

IMHO it would be lovely if receptacles were angled so that ground and neutral were up :) But I'm not going to advocate for requirements on the topic.

Back to the OP, I agree with the others: receptacle orientation should be set for minimum strain on the cord path, but this is a best practice, not a code requirement.

Jon
 
mtnelect

mtnelect

HVAC & Electrical Contractor
Location
Southern California
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Contractor, C10 & C20 - Semi Retired
winnie said:
That is a recommendation, not a requirement.

IMHO it would be lovely if receptacles were angled so that ground and neutral were up :) But I'm not going to advocate for requirements on the topic.

Back to the OP, I agree with the others: receptacle orientation should be set for minimum strain on the cord path, but this is a best practice, not a code requirement.

Jon
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Personally, I love the "Happy Face".
 
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hillbilly1

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North Georgia mountains
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Owner/electrical contractor
mtnelect said:
I read this somewhere: The grounding terminal should be oriented towards the top of the receptacle, to prevent objects from falling down B/T the face plate and the plug.
Click to expand...
Supposedly reduces the chances to 50/50 of a short is the reasoning, but then it increases the chance of the ground prong not making contact on a loose plug, even though most are longer. RV plugs have the same issue especially with a wp in use cover.
 
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