What is the Correct Way to Install Electrical Outlets: Ground Up or Down?
Ask an electrician which way a receptacle, or outlet, should be installed: “Ground up or down?” Typically, the response is “both are fine,” but most of us have a preference. The National Electrical Code (NEC) does not specify an orientation, so you can put them any way you wish, including sideways or on the floor.
If we tend to believe that one method is “right,” why are they occasionally installed with the grounding connection up? Is one superior to another? What should you do within your home? Let’s dig in below.
Why Are Receptacles Installed Ground Up?
Proponents of installing ground-up receptacles point to the risk of short circuits if something metal falls on the exposed blades of a partially plugged-in wire. Plugging in the cord with the grounding pin on top may provide some protection by deflecting a falling object. Ground-up receptacles are prevalent in hospitals, where electrical arcs from a short circuit could be extremely disruptive.
To distinguish between conventional and switched receptacles, electricians may occasionally install ground-up versions. Dryers and other appliances with huge, bulky plugs are generally better suited to “upside-down” receptacles.
There’s also simple preference or habit. Many people were taught a specific way to install a receptacle, and because either direction is valid, they stick with the method they learned. Local codes or special customer requirements may also influence their course of action. Early patents for grounding-type receptacles show the grounding prong on top, so there’s that as well.
Why Are Receptacles Installed Ground Down?
It is mostly about familiarity and custom. When we start doing anything, we prefer to stay at it. Seeing a ground-down receptacle “face” is comforting since it is what we have always known. Ground-up receptacles stand out because they are less common.
Manufacturing and design innovation may also play an influence. When you reach for and grab a cord, the natural way to hold the plug is with the flat side up and beneath your thumb. Inserting the plug into a ground-down receptacle does not require flipping it around in your palm, indicating that manufacturers anticipate a ground-down orientation.
Is One Way Better Than the Other?
Not according to the NEC. Both approaches are safe and effective as long as they are properly wired. Grounding-type receptacles with three prongs must be connected to the green or bare equipment grounding conductor. In the event of a short circuit or other malfunction, the EGC returns the abnormal current to the electrical panel, allowing the breaker to trip. The EGC operates regardless of how the receptacle is angled.
Older homes wired with knob-and-tube will not have an EGC. You can tell because the receptacles only have two slots: hot and neutral. If you have these (like I did for years), consider replacing them with a GFCI.
Of course, the NEC isn’t the only code that matters. Your local electrical and construction codes may specify how you should position receptacles. If you have any questions, contact your community or a professional electrician in your area.