That’s fine as long as it doesn’t enter the realm of being a code requirement because it isn’t.
I agree with you again Jeffrey Jonas and I also point out the pin when I now my client has children! Most new home electricians are flipping it upside down and installing a protected outlet.
I am aware, and understand. I make certain my clients understand also. They also have a much better understanding of what code really means when I get done anyway.
I am now seeing these being installed properly (for safety) more and more in new housing. Perhaps it will become ‘code’ in the near future. 
Why would you think ground down is any safer that ground up? If it were do you think the code panels would have been silent on this issue for so long?
I don’t… ground up is safer.
&
One word… manufacturers.
Yes, we must protect idiots that change cover plates with something “still plugged in” too.
See… we are in good company… 1/3 for, 1/3 against, 1/3 don’t know :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:
No matter how you look at it, you can only plug one of these male plugs in on a duplex receptacle.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41hzXbgmLNL.SL500_AA300.jpg
Safely!!!
And conveniently.
And since when did convenience ever make a difference to the man with an agenda?
Get a splitter. :mrgreen:
IMO the additional safety is marginal at best. A Jim pointed out the CMP’s have rejected this for many code cycles because there is little to no evidence that one way is safer than the other. I always install them ground down.
Like I said… manufacturers! They are too cheap to retool to have their logo’s repositioned for the change. Damned lobbist’s!!! And you though the NAR had clout !!! Believe it or not. :shock::roll:
Must be an opinion, while building a hospital in 2000, an AHJ requested all receptacles installed ground up. At the time, I was in no position to argue.
P.S. He has since lost his job. :mrgreen:
I have never seen a hospital where the ground pins were “down”. I heard somewhere that it is required, actual code or note.
Here you go Marcel… from your own link…
Mike Holt’s Comment
I hope that by having this on the Internet this issue can be resolved. To me, the bottom line is:
- Specifications should require receptacles with metal cover plates to have the receptacle installed so the ground up.
- Specifications should indicate that the orientation of the receptacle should be in such a manner that stress will not be placed on the cord. If the grounding terminal is installed down, then plastic plates should be used.
- In health care facilities, the ground should be up.
- In all other installations it just doesn’t matter. Do what the customer wants. Me personally, I want my grounds down in my house and I used plastic plates, but if I used metal plates, I would have the ground up.
P.S. My wife said she would prefer the ground up! I asked her why and she said that it would be easier to plug in the cord (better leverage) when the receptacle was low because the ground guided the other two prongs into the device. What about the kitchen counter top receptacles? She said it didn’t matter if the ground was up or down (I’m still blown away because she is so picky on how the house matches, coordinates, and all that stuff.) So if I ever move and build a new home, the ground will be up (if she’s not happy, nobody is happy). I really don’t want to discuss this issue unless you have something new to add. I just hope I can put this “puppy” to sleep.
God Bless,
Mike Holt
Since it’s a design issue and not a code issue the designer may have decided that the ground up was preferable. Even the stuff that Mike Holt said was only an opinion.
Appearantly, this was code at one point…
So, if the story is true, than the “practice” became the “standard”, thus the “code” wasn’t needed as it was the accepted standard.
This thread (quoted) also reminded me of another scenario, so I’ll throw it out there to add fuel to the fire… When receptacles are mounted horizontally, which ‘blade’ should be mounted ‘on top’? :twisted::twisted: