Ground on top or bottom?

14 years ago

According to the Canadian Electrical Code, does the ground go on top or the bottom of a wall receptacle? I look around and see them all on the bottom but a guy at work says that code actually calls for them on top now. I searched for the answer but nothing came up. Thanks.

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Comments (14)

joed
14 years ago
OH NO NOT THIS AGAIN.

There is no code issue about this in CEC or NEC. You can put the ground up, down, sideways, at any angle you like.

The will be many arguments about which you SHOULD put it. BUT THE CODE DOES NOT CARE.
pelican
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you for your quick response.
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inox
14 years ago
In his book about residential wiring, Rex Cauldwell argues that the ground should go at the top if the receptacle is installed vertically.

The idea is that if a plug becomes loose and something lands on the exposed ground pin, it will bounce off. If it lands on the exposed hot and neutral blades, a short circuit results.
jakethewonderdog
14 years ago
Although I personally hate outlets installed upside down (ground up) I also know that this is the same question as "is the toilet paper supposed to unroll over or under".
tom_o
14 years ago
Yikes! i guess this is never going to go away. I could only find one proposal for the 2011 NEC about ground pin up, here it is

_______________________________________________________________
18-36 Log #3897 NEC-P18 Final Action: Reject
(406.4(B))
_______________________________________________________________
Submitter: Ronald Standley, E Light Electric Services
Recommendation: Add new text as follows:
Exception No. 1: Where metal cover plates are installed, receptacles shall be
mounted such that the ground pin opening is above the hot and neutral
openings.
Substantiation: If multiple failing conditions are encountered (i.e., plug not
fully inserted, metal cover loosens, etc.) it is possible that the metal cover
could contact the hot conductor creating a short circuit and a fire hazard.
Panel Meeting Action: Reject
Panel Statement: This proposal is not substantiated with incident data
indicating burn or electrocution exposure or the circumstances surrounding
such incidents.
Additionally, the proposal only addresses receptacles installed in a vertical
plane. How does one insure in a receptacle mounted on a horizontal surface
that the ground pin opening is above the hot and neutral openings?
Number Eligible to Vote: 11
Ballot Results: Affirmative: 11
mike_kaiser_gw
14 years ago
While it sounds good in theory, in reality the odds of dropping something that conducts electricity along the wall in such a way that it hits both the hot and neutral prongs is slim to none. I'd think you'd have to work at it just to get the object to hit the two prongs much less come up with a situation where it would occur in the real world.

Of course the corollary is if the neutral should be up or down if the receptacle is sideways.
Ron Natalie
14 years ago
I like mine on the left :)
At least that puts the grounded conductor on top.
petey_racer
14 years ago
This thread should have been closed after the first reply!
inox
14 years ago
mike,

I actually saw a tool fall off a cart, land on a ground pin, bounce off, and land on the floor. The (not fully inserted) plug was for an extension cord. I do not expect to see this again.

Last February, I noticed that all of the twenty or so outlets in pateient room in an intensive-care unit had the ground pin at the top.
btharmy
14 years ago
The only receptacle I have installed that is required to be installed ground up was a spec grade receptacle that was stamped "top" on the metal yoke. In that case it was required according to 110.3.b of the '08 NEC. I have seen this more than a few times. Otherwise it's up to you.
hexus
14 years ago
I've done some jobs (schools and doctors offices) that will actually spec it out to install the receptacles with the ground up.

Personally I can't stand them that way.
hendricus
14 years ago
Up.

The ground pin has the most holding area. Medical areas use some serious size cords and the weight of the cord will tend to bend the ground plug and pull the neutral and hot part way out when installed with the ground down.

I have numerous heavy duty extension cords where the ground plug shows bends away from the hot and neutral but never toward them.
lbpod
14 years ago
I've noticed many new household appliances with a molded
right angle plug on the end of the cord that was meant
for a receptical with the ground on top.
Ron Natalie
14 years ago
Medical grade receptacles have some serious grip to them as well, so it's not a problem.

For every molded plug or wall wart that has the wire coming out the side away from the ground pin (or with the fat blade on the right i.e. designed for ground up), I can show you two that go the other way.