Why receptacles upside down

More than likely they are upside down compared to the outlets in your home. Ever wonder why? Outlets in the U. Two that look like slots and one that's more of a hole. The two slots are the ones that carry the electricity and the other is neutral or 'ground'.

The 'ground' portion of an outlet won't hurt you if you come in contact with it. However, if you come in contact with the two slots at the same time, since the human body is mostly water, you could be electrocuted.

That's a major factor in the reason outlets are upside down in medical facilities. I don't think the contractor is messing with you, but I'm no code expert.

Ghost Chili. Brianinca This person is a verified professional. Some theories about the orientation of an outlet: The outlet should be oriented with the ground pin up because if the plug comes slightly loose and a metal object were to fall from above, the ground plug, which usually does not carry current, would deflect the object so that it would not hit is live prongs.

It is accepted that this idea began in health care facilities where many tools used for patient care are metal. The story goes that hospitals were wired by union electricians and as the unions grew the practice spread to other types of buildings.

The outlet should be oriented with the ground pin up because this pin is longer and the plastic around the plug is meatier, so it will help to keep the plug inserted in the outlet. The outlet should be oriented with the ground pin down because a person grabbing the outlet will have their index finger at the bottom side of the plug and the index finger sticks out further than the thumb.

Having the ground down will keep a person's index finger from touching the live pins. The outlet should be oriented with the ground pin down because many common household items such as nightlights, timers, and battery chargers are oriented with the ground pin down. In addition, GFCI outlets, which have text on the reset and test buttons, are oriented with the ground pin down and the text readable.

Mikey64 Dec 13, at UTC. JoeWilliams This person is a verified professional. John This person is a verified professional. JoeWilliams wrote: Ground pin should be DOWN to ensure that the little people who live in the sockets look suitably confused. You mean the Greenies? JoeWilliams Mace. Christopher wrote: If it connects line to neutral, you have a problem.

Jebus, do you guys not have MCBs or similar on your circuits? They detect over-current faults which a live-neutral short would be and disconnect the supply. JoeWilliams wrote: Christopher wrote: If it connects line to neutral, you have a problem. You know how "redundant safety measures" are Christopher wrote: JoeWilliams wrote: Christopher wrote: If it connects line to neutral, you have a problem.

Fair enough :. JoeWilliams wrote: Christopher wrote: JoeWilliams wrote: Christopher wrote: If it connects line to neutral, you have a problem. Fair enough : Another form of protection is to live in the UK. Joe This person is a verified professional. Colts This person is a verified professional. John wrote: As a registered Electrician I can tell you that the code states no direction in which a "standard" receptacle should be installed.

What John says! Mike This person is a verified professional. Thai Pepper. Jacob Dec 13, at UTC. It is recommenced a lot of times but does not appear to be enforced by NEC. Specter This person is a verified professional. MHunt This person is a verified professional. If Hollywood is to be believed, charts are normally clipped to a metallic looking clip board.

I have some reservations as to whether this is actually a realistic safety concern, but meh. The Repairatrooper This person is a verified professional.

This topic has been locked by an administrator and is no longer open for commenting. Before use, make sure you understand how the tool works and that its batteries are charged. If you find your upside-down outlet to be visually disturbing, or if you feel that one of the above reasons is a good reason to mount them ground-slot-up, it is quite easy to change the orientation. It will cost you nothing to do so.

Once you have verified that the power is shut off, remove the faceplate on the outlet by removing the mounting screw. There should only be one screw to remove with most outlets. Remove the top and bottom mounting screws that hold the outlet strap to the electrical box. Carefully gripping the metal strap, gently pull the receptacle out of the box so that the wires nearly straighten out. Be very careful not to loosen any of the wire connections. Most outlets have enough wire to allow them to be pulled several inches out of the electrical box.

At this time, it is always a good idea to check again with the voltage tester to make sure that no power is flowing to the outlet. Gently rotate the receptacle around degrees so that it is now right side up. Be very careful to avoid dislodging any wire connections as you rotate the receptacle. If you find the receptacle hard to rotate due to short wires, then it is best to completely disconnect the receptacle, rotate it, then reconnect the wires to the screw terminals.

Tug gently on the wires to verify that the wire connections are still secure on the outlet's screw terminals. Carefully tuck the circuit wires back into the electrical box and press the receptacle into the box. Usually, it is easiest to fold the wires rather than randomly stuffing them back into the box.

Thread the mounting screws on the device strap back into the screw holes on the electrical box, and tighten them down securely, making sure the outlet is perfectly vertical. Reattach the outlet faceplate. Turn on the power at the circuit breaker, and then test the receptacle to make sure it operates correctly. This can be done with the circuit tester or by plugging in a lamp or other small appliance. If you have any misgivings about opening up an electric outlet, call an electrician to do this task.

Even though this is a very easy project, electricity is dangerous if not handled properly. Any DIYer who is nervous or uncertain about making a basic electrical repair is well-advised to have a professional do the work. Engineering Specialists Incorporated.

Why are all the electrical outlets in hospitals upside down?