duplex recptacles
- Thread starter paulrb
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
Re: duplex recptacles
I will preface this by saying here we go again. Sorry, I had to say that! This is a common question that most of us have strong opinions about. The answer to your question is, the NEC has no requirement as to the orientation of a duplex receptacle.
I will preface this by saying here we go again. Sorry, I had to say that! This is a common question that most of us have strong opinions about. The answer to your question is, the NEC has no requirement as to the orientation of a duplex receptacle.
electricmanscott
Senior Member
- Location
- Boston, MA
- Occupation
- Massachusetts Master Electrician, one man show.
Re: duplex recptacles
In Massachusetts we celebrate all orientations.
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- Semi-retired engineer
Re: duplex recptacles
The NEC does not specify this. However, a fair number of specs do, and I think all the ones I have seen where ground is speced it is speced as the ground pin being up. I am not really sure why, since it does not seem all that significant.
I have been told it is so that if the plug is part way out, the exposed metal pin at the top will not be energized.
I have also been told it is because otherwise the text on the outlet would be upside down. Why this would matter is a bit of a stumper since the electrons don't care.
The NEC does not specify this. However, a fair number of specs do, and I think all the ones I have seen where ground is speced it is speced as the ground pin being up. I am not really sure why, since it does not seem all that significant.
I have been told it is so that if the plug is part way out, the exposed metal pin at the top will not be energized.
I have also been told it is because otherwise the text on the outlet would be upside down. Why this would matter is a bit of a stumper since the electrons don't care.
bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Re: duplex recptacles
Here in Florida, we first wait to see what the rest of the nation is doing, and then we do the exact opposite. This is true for almost all things.
Here in Florida, we first wait to see what the rest of the nation is doing, and then we do the exact opposite. This is true for almost all things.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Re: duplex recptacles
Most of the homes in the Chicago area have the recps horizontal with the hot up.
Don
Most of the homes in the Chicago area have the recps horizontal with the hot up.
Don
aelectricalman
Senior Member
- Location
- KY
Re: duplex recptacles
Don = Funny
Don = Funny
aelectricalman
Senior Member
- Location
- KY
Re: duplex recptacles
On the roughs I just put in a 45 degree nailer and nail my boxes in diagonal.
On the roughs I just put in a 45 degree nailer and nail my boxes in diagonal.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Re: duplex recptacles
If we can be serious for a moment ( ), I believe the plug is more resistant to pull-out with the ground up.
If we can be serious for a moment (
), I believe the plug is more resistant to pull-out with the ground up.
allenwayne
Senior Member
Re: duplex recptacles
I have actually stopped in a breakfast resturant and there were 4 inspectors gathered around a table discussing means to tag jobs
Bryan that is just all to funny,unless anyone else here resides and works in florida and there are a few here myself included that statement is just all so true
I have actually stopped in a breakfast resturant and there were 4 inspectors gathered around a table discussing means to tag jobs jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: duplex recptacles
It is required that they talk buisness while on clock.They at least were not eating doughnuts like some of our other fine gov.employies
It is required that they talk buisness while on clock.They at least were not eating doughnuts like some of our other fine gov.employies
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: duplex recptacles
Wait a minute there Allen,why were you there ?
Wait a minute there Allen,why were you there ?
charlie
Senior Member
- Location
- Indianapolis
Re: duplex recptacles
Jim, it is not nice to ask an embarrassing question like that.
Jim, it is not nice to ask an embarrassing question like that.
milwaukeesteve
Senior Member
- Location
- Milwaukee, WI
Re: duplex recptacles
Somewhere there has to be some kind of written rule on this. Why else would manufacturers continue to write 'test' and 'reset' on a GFI that is 'upside down' to the average user.
The reasons for ground up are as petersora stated earlier.
Yet we accept it the other way.
Yet the manufacturers still print it the other way.
Yet we still have these discussions.
If we accept ground up, why not run with it.
If we need to continue ground down for a specific reason, then let us not continue with this farce.
Now we have a lot of appliances that have 90deg cord ends on them. They are not universal either.
How many times have we seen gravity pull on a 90deg cord that is plugged in the top outlet. Gravity will pull those prongs out until a loose connection happens. On a refrigerator or a freezer, that is not a good thing.
I wish someone would settle this, and everything would be standard.
Somewhere there has to be some kind of written rule on this. Why else would manufacturers continue to write 'test' and 'reset' on a GFI that is 'upside down' to the average user.
The reasons for ground up are as petersora stated earlier.
Yet we accept it the other way.
Yet the manufacturers still print it the other way.
Yet we still have these discussions.
If we accept ground up, why not run with it.
If we need to continue ground down for a specific reason, then let us not continue with this farce.
Now we have a lot of appliances that have 90deg cord ends on them. They are not universal either.
How many times have we seen gravity pull on a 90deg cord that is plugged in the top outlet. Gravity will pull those prongs out until a loose connection happens. On a refrigerator or a freezer, that is not a good thing.
I wish someone would settle this, and everything would be standard.
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: duplex recptacles
"Why else would manufacturers continue to write 'test' and 'reset' on a GFI that is 'upside down' to the average user."
Not all GFCI's are this way. Some have test and reset written both ways right side up and down
"Why else would manufacturers continue to write 'test' and 'reset' on a GFI that is 'upside down' to the average user."
Not all GFCI's are this way. Some have test and reset written both ways right side up and down
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