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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up?

On Aug 29, 12:14*pm, "Steve Barker DLT"
wrote:
that's because it doesn't matter.

s

"Mark" wrote in message

...

I find it funny that the NEC seems to cover every detail you could
think of, but not this one.

Mark


well it does matter in the sense that many cords and wall warts seem
to hang better with the ground pin down....but many commercial
buildings seem to have the ground pin up...

It would be nice in this case if there WAS a standard way to do it...
The NEC seems to want to define everything, here is a case where we
NEED a standard and they didn't do it....

I don't care which way, just pick one way and make all the plugs play
well with that way...

Mark




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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up?

Someone here has already given an iron clad example.

In hospitals and most commercial buildings, the outlet covers are
stainless steel. In these buildings there is constant construction
going on. Cover screws can work loose from vibration.

Up is better, and required in patient care areas, because of falling
metal objects. ie surgical trays, surgical instruments, paper clips
and yes, coat hangers.


On Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:18:24 -0500, "Steve Barker DLT"
wrote:

It's soooooooooo far fetched, it's doubtful it actually happened.

s


"David Nebenzahl" wrote in message
rs.com...

I never paid much attention but just a couple months ago a metal
hangar fell behind a dresser. There was a big flash and a breaker
blew. The plug behind the dresser was not plugged in all the way and
luck would have it the hanger shorted out the contacts.


There you have it. I think this one data point is enough to tilt the
argument in favor of ground pin up. Since it's otherwise arbitrary, why
not do the safer thing?


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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up?

On Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:51:39 -0700 (PDT), terry
wrote:

On Aug 29, 11:29*am, DerbyDad03 wrote:
On Aug 28, 4:59*pm, "john" wrote:

Does the 2008 NEC specify which way to orient 3-prong outlets?


Should it be


ground on tophttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/Electrical_o...


or


ground on bottomhttp://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/00/34/23433400.jpg


?


The tradition seems to be ground on bottom, but I heard it is safer to have
ground on top so falling coins are less likely to short out a loosely
plugged in plug.


Years ago I worked at a factory where the electricians were required
to install all outlets ground up. I was told that since there was more
of a chance that a metal object would come in contact with a loose
plug from the top than from the bottom, and since in the vast majority
of the installations the type of cord would not be an issue, they
opted for the "safer" method.

In other words, if it makes the factory just a tad bit safer, and
really has no other impact (other then writing it up in the procedure
manual) then why not?


I agree.

Or at least I did until most of the el-cheapo stuff such as wall
warts, night lights, air fresheners, shaver and cell phone chargers
etc. etc. etc. all the ancillary gear we seem to have to plug in these
days, seem to be ground pin down!

Also thinking; if and when I ever finish off and wire my basement
area, I will install two duplex outlets in each location and one will
be UP and the other DOWN.

However will probably then find then that things plugged into one
duplex outlet will interfere with things plugged into t'other adjacent
duplex!

It's probably this confusion and the increasing number of 'gadgets'
that has lead the profusion of cheap and in some cases very nasty
'power bars' into which we then plug, even more, higgledy-piggledy too
many of the power supplies for the various gadgets..


I have found a few wall warts with plugs that are L shaped so they are
parallel to the floor and don't block another outlet. These have to
be very light though.

I don't know why they don't just add a piggyback to the big ones.
Actually I do know the rea$on, but it would make everyone's life
easier.
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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up?

On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:35:21 -0400, "Edwin Pawlowski"
wrote:


"PanHandler" wrote in message
news

"Steve Barker DLT" wrote in message
...
Ground down. the other way looks stupid.


Horizontally. Then everybody can obsess about trivialities. Geesh!


Ground left or right? Please advise.


No advice, but decide how this one goes in :-)

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/imag....30.acenti.jpg

(grin)

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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up?

On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:01:18 -0400, mm
wrote:

Discussions here have centered around ground down, except when the
outlet is on a wall switch. I doubt most people would know that
code if they didn't own the home when it was under construction, but
those who pay attention could notice the difference and ask or figure
it out.


Each of the four switched outlets in my house are ground up. The
bottom receptacle is on the switch and the top one is hot. The switch
was indicated by a small sticker on the switch (until folks get use to
the new house).

By visually looking I know they are switched, so treating repairs
accordingly.

New stone in the mix: Does the ground go into the center?

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/imag....30.acenti.jpg


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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up?

On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:31:40 -0500, "PanHandler"
wrote:


"john" wrote in message ...
Does the 2008 NEC specify which way to orient 3-prong outlets?
The tradition seems to be ground on bottom, but I heard it is safer to
have ground on top so falling coins are less likely to short out a loosely
plugged in plug.


Ground down. How often do dropped coins slide down a wall?


The real problem is when one of your fingers slides down the wall.

And having one of those non-trip breakers doesn't help either.
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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up?

On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:26:24 -0400, Claude Hopper
wrote:

PanHandler wrote:
"john" wrote in message ...
Does the 2008 NEC specify which way to orient 3-prong outlets?
The tradition seems to be ground on bottom, but I heard it is safer to
have ground on top so falling coins are less likely to short out a loosely
plugged in plug.


Ground down. How often do dropped coins slide down a wall?


Yea, I have a pile of burnt coins on the floor. I'll have to turn my
plugs ground up.


The coins are supposed to go in the fuse box :-)
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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up?

On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:02:01 -0500, "Steve Barker DLT"
wrote:

I didn't call anyone stupid. I said upside down outlets look stupid. And
they do.


"upside down" is the direction opposite the direction opposite the
direction ...

While "down" is the direction things move in when not restrained or
pushed. True, but unhelpful :-)

s


"Lurfys Maw" wrote in message
.. .
On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:07:02 -0500, "Steve Barker DLT"
wrote:

Ground down. the other way looks stupid.


Calling someone stupid for asking a question is...stupid.


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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up?

On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:28:42 -0500, Red Green
wrote:

Lurfys Maw wrote in
:

On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:07:02 -0500, "Steve Barker DLT"
wrote:

Ground down. the other way looks stupid.


Calling someone stupid for asking a question is...stupid.



When was anyone called stupid? He just said the other way looks stupid.

OK, he insulted a duplex outlet just because it's orientation is different.
In some states it is a Hate Crime to discriminate because of orientation.
He should expect to be served with a lawsuit from the National Brotherhood
of Duplex Outlets shortly.


Get a wall plug :-)
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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up?

On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:23:16 -0500, "Rick Brandt"
wrote:

Steve Barker DLT wrote:
Ground down. the other way looks stupid.


Also to be considered is that plugs mounted 90 degrees to the cord don't
work very well with ground at the top.


They do if the appliance is mounted on the wall above the receptacle
(like an air conditioner). Actually, I did install an air conditioner
recently. The plug was at a right angle so it went up from the
receptacle.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"The government of the United States is not, in
any sense, founded on the Christian religion."



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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up?

On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:37:58 -0700, Square Peg
wrote:

[snip]


Oh-oh. Now which way should they be oriented? North (up on a map)?
Toward the power company? Toward Mecca?


The correct orientation is pointing toward the place you get coffee.

You better do it right or you may get called stupid.

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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up? NOT AGAIN!!!!!

On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 22:06:01 -0400, Tekkie®
wrote:

john posted for all of us...

Does the 2008 NEC specify which way to orient 3-prong outlets?

Should it be

ground on top
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...with_label.jpg

or

ground on bottom
http://images.jupiterimages.com/comm...4/23433400.jpg

?

The tradition seems to be ground on bottom, but I heard it is safer to have
ground on top so falling coins are less likely to short out a loosely
plugged in plug.



What is this? About the 3 billionth time this has been discussed?


At least it wasn't 3 billion times in one day. I've seen stuff like
that on another group.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"The government of the United States is not, in
any sense, founded on the Christian religion."

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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up?

On Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:10:38 -0500, "HeyBub"
wrote:

john wrote:
Does the 2008 NEC specify which way to orient 3-prong outlets?

Should it be

ground on top
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...with_label.jpg

or

ground on bottom
http://images.jupiterimages.com/comm...4/23433400.jpg

?

The tradition seems to be ground on bottom, but I heard it is safer
to have ground on top so falling coins are less likely to short out a
loosely plugged in plug.


Get the recessed outlets, like they use for mounting clocks, then no matter
what slides down the walls - from pennies to drunk relatives - there will be
no hazard at all.


They don't keep kids fingers out.
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On 8/29/2008 12:53 PM Mark spake thus:

On Aug 29, 12:14 pm, "Steve Barker DLT"
wrote:

that's because it doesn't matter.

"Mark" wrote in message
...

I find it funny that the NEC seems to cover every detail you could
think of, but not this one.


well it does matter in the sense that many cords and wall warts seem
to hang better with the ground pin down....but many commercial
buildings seem to have the ground pin up...


Except that, as someone else pointed out, almost all wall warts have 2
prongs and no ground pin.


--
"In 1964 Barry Goldwater declared: 'Elect me president, and I
will bomb the cities of Vietnam, defoliate the jungles, herd the
population into concentration camps and turn the country into a
wasteland.' But Lyndon Johnson said: 'No! No! No! Don't you dare do
that. Let ME do it.'"

- Characterization (paraphrased) of the 1964 Goldwater/Johnson
presidential race by Professor Irwin Corey, "The World's Foremost
Authority".
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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up? NOT AGAIN!!!!!

On Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:39:13 -0500, Mark Lloyd
wrote:

What is this? About the 3 billionth time this has been discussed?


At least it wasn't 3 billion times in one day. I've seen stuff like
that on another group.


I may have reached the _End of the Internet_ already.

I gleaned most of it, not worrying about 50 thousand missed messages.



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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up?

DerbyDad03 wrote in
:

Years ago I worked at a factory where the electricians were required
to install all outlets ground up. I was told that since there was more
of a chance that a metal object would come in contact with a loose
plug from the top than from the bottom, and since in the vast majority
of the installations the type of cord would not be an issue, they
opted for the "safer" method.

In other words, if it makes the factory just a tad bit safer, and
really has no other impact (other then writing it up in the procedure
manual) then why not?


It's not necessarily safer. One of the biggest dangers is fires caused by
heat from loose connections. Anything that increases the odds of bringing
your attention to a loose connection is likely to be safer for that reason,
even if it results in a short and a circuit breaker tripping.
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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up?

Claude Hopper wrote in
:

Yea, I have a pile of burnt coins on the floor. I'll have to turn my
plugs ground up.


Why bother to have the plugs ground up? It's easier to have the burnt
coins ground up. Just use a grinder.
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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up?


wrote in message

Ground up does not work well with all plugs (then again ground
down does not work well with some other plugs.)


I recently bought some power strips for the office and the plug rotates so
it can be use in either direction or even at 45 degrees if you want. All
the new recepticals installed during a remodel are ground up.




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On Aug 28, 4:59*pm, "john" wrote:
Does the 2008 NEC specify which way to orient 3-prong outlets?

Should it be

ground on tophttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/Electrical_o...

or

ground on bottomhttp://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/00/34/23433400.jpg

?

The tradition seems to be ground on bottom, but I heard it is safer to have
ground on top so falling coins are less likely to short out a loosely
plugged in plug.


I just so happened to have to unplug the freezer in my garage this
evening. Right angle plug, ground up. That would explain why I
installed the receptacle ground up.
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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up?

On Aug 29, 11:25�pm, DerbyDad03 wrote:
On Aug 28, 4:59�pm, "john" wrote:

Does the 2008 NEC specify which way to orient 3-prong outlets?


Should it be


ground on tophttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/Electrical_o...


or


ground on bottomhttp://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/00/34/23433400.jpg


?


The tradition seems to be ground on bottom, but I heard it is safer to have
ground on top so falling coins are less likely to short out a loosely
plugged in plug.


I just so happened to have to unplug the freezer in my garage this
evening. Right angle plug, ground up. That would explain why I
installed the receptacle ground up.


had some change fall off a tablew and fell just right to a ground down
outlet with plug not in all the way a few years ago.

what a spark display, it took a long time for the breaker to trip. i
nearly turned them all to ground up after this exciting event.

have seen some devices with accordion like rubber covers to preevent
this, bet one day they are code


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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up?

On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:13:51 -0700, David Nebenzahl wrote:

On 8/28/2008 3:07 PM Steve Barker DLT spake thus:

Ground down. the other way looks stupid.


That's probably as good as answer as any (basically, "it's completely
arbitrary, so orient it the way 99% of other outlets are oriented".)

However, there are good reasons to put them in "upside down" (i.e.,
ground pin up). Last time I was in a hospital, I noticed that almost all
the outlets were "upside down", and later heard/read that this is to
prevent sparks and shocks should a metal implement fall down along the
wall and contact a plug in an outlet. Makes sense. I'm even starting to
put in some outlets this way.

Oh, and I've also noticed that having the ground pin on top tends to
hold 3-prong plugs in the outlet more tightly and resist the plug
falling out, like when you're using an extension cord and tug on it.


Ground up is industrial code and this year's revision also calls for ground
up on residential.
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Mike Dobony wrote:
On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:13:51 -0700, David Nebenzahl wrote:

On 8/28/2008 3:07 PM Steve Barker DLT spake thus:

Ground down. the other way looks stupid.

That's probably as good as answer as any (basically, "it's completely
arbitrary, so orient it the way 99% of other outlets are oriented".)

However, there are good reasons to put them in "upside down" (i.e.,
ground pin up). Last time I was in a hospital, I noticed that almost all
the outlets were "upside down", and later heard/read that this is to
prevent sparks and shocks should a metal implement fall down along the
wall and contact a plug in an outlet. Makes sense. I'm even starting to
put in some outlets this way.

Oh, and I've also noticed that having the ground pin on top tends to
hold 3-prong plugs in the outlet more tightly and resist the plug
falling out, like when you're using an extension cord and tug on it.


Ground up is industrial code and this year's revision also calls for ground
up on residential.


Good info. Thanks.

Lou
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On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:23:16 -0500, "Rick Brandt"
wrote:

Steve Barker DLT wrote:
Ground down. the other way looks stupid.


Also to be considered is that plugs mounted 90 degrees to the cord don't
work very well with ground at the top.


My refrig power cord definitely wants the ground DOWN.

And until I start seeing power cords that are designed for ground UP,
then all my grounds will be DOWN.


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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up?

My grounds will always be down for the rest of my life. if a cord doesn't
cooperate, then I'll change the plug on the end of it.

s


"Duff" wrote in message
...


My refrig power cord definitely wants the ground DOWN.

And until I start seeing power cords that are designed for ground UP,
then all my grounds will be DOWN.




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Duff wrote:
On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:23:16 -0500, "Rick Brandt"
wrote:

Steve Barker DLT wrote:
Ground down. the other way looks stupid.

Also to be considered is that plugs mounted 90 degrees to the cord don't
work very well with ground at the top.


My refrig power cord definitely wants the ground DOWN.

And until I start seeing power cords that are designed for ground UP,
then all my grounds will be DOWN.



?????????????????????


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"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:13:51 -0700, David Nebenzahl wrote:

On 8/28/2008 3:07 PM Steve Barker DLT spake thus:

Ground down. the other way looks stupid.


That's probably as good as answer as any (basically, "it's completely
arbitrary, so orient it the way 99% of other outlets are oriented".)

However, there are good reasons to put them in "upside down" (i.e.,
ground pin up). Last time I was in a hospital, I noticed that almost all
the outlets were "upside down", and later heard/read that this is to
prevent sparks and shocks should a metal implement fall down along the
wall and contact a plug in an outlet. Makes sense. I'm even starting to
put in some outlets this way.

Oh, and I've also noticed that having the ground pin on top tends to
hold 3-prong plugs in the outlet more tightly and resist the plug
falling out, like when you're using an extension cord and tug on it.


Ground up is industrial code and this year's revision also calls for
ground
up on residential.

I have mine with the ground to the right
This puts the hot up , standard around here.


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On Aug 30, 10:43*am, Duff wrote:
On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:23:16 -0500, "Rick Brandt"

wrote:
Steve Barker DLT wrote:
Ground down. *the other way looks stupid.


Also to be considered is that plugs mounted 90 degrees to the cord don't
work very well with ground at the top.


*My refrig power cord definitely wants the ground DOWN. *

And until I start seeing power cords that are designed for ground UP,
then all my grounds will be DOWN.


And until I start seeing power cords that are designed for ground
UP, then all my grounds will be DOWN.

You can see one here. This is an extension cord but I have the same
type of plug on my freezer.

http://tinyurl.com/6owe4e
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On Sat, 30 Aug 2008 09:14:33 -0500, Mike Dobony
wrote:

On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:13:51 -0700, David Nebenzahl wrote:

On 8/28/2008 3:07 PM Steve Barker DLT spake thus:

Ground down. the other way looks stupid.


That's probably as good as answer as any (basically, "it's completely
arbitrary, so orient it the way 99% of other outlets are oriented".)

However, there are good reasons to put them in "upside down" (i.e.,
ground pin up). Last time I was in a hospital, I noticed that almost all
the outlets were "upside down", and later heard/read that this is to
prevent sparks and shocks should a metal implement fall down along the
wall and contact a plug in an outlet. Makes sense. I'm even starting to
put in some outlets this way.

Oh, and I've also noticed that having the ground pin on top tends to
hold 3-prong plugs in the outlet more tightly and resist the plug
falling out, like when you're using an extension cord and tug on it.


Ground up is industrial code and this year's revision also calls for ground
up on residential.


I can't believe they made the code that way when it looks so stupid.
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On 8/30/2008 10:14 AM Square Peg spake thus:

On Sat, 30 Aug 2008 09:14:33 -0500, Mike Dobony
wrote:

Ground up is industrial code and this year's revision also calls for ground
up on residential.


I can't believe they made the code that way when it looks so stupid.


Why do you think it looks stupid--because you're used to seeing it the
other way around? Sheesh, it's a thing with a bunch of holes in it.
There's no "natural" orientation.

Get used to it.


--
"In 1964 Barry Goldwater declared: 'Elect me president, and I
will bomb the cities of Vietnam, defoliate the jungles, herd the
population into concentration camps and turn the country into a
wasteland.' But Lyndon Johnson said: 'No! No! No! Don't you dare do
that. Let ME do it.'"

- Characterization (paraphrased) of the 1964 Goldwater/Johnson
presidential race by Professor Irwin Corey, "The World's Foremost
Authority".
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On Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:14:03 -0700, Square Peg
wrote:

On Sat, 30 Aug 2008 09:14:33 -0500, Mike Dobony
wrote:

On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:13:51 -0700, David Nebenzahl wrote:

On 8/28/2008 3:07 PM Steve Barker DLT spake thus:

Ground down. the other way looks stupid.

That's probably as good as answer as any (basically, "it's completely
arbitrary, so orient it the way 99% of other outlets are oriented".)

However, there are good reasons to put them in "upside down" (i.e.,
ground pin up). Last time I was in a hospital, I noticed that almost all
the outlets were "upside down", and later heard/read that this is to
prevent sparks and shocks should a metal implement fall down along the
wall and contact a plug in an outlet. Makes sense. I'm even starting to
put in some outlets this way.

Oh, and I've also noticed that having the ground pin on top tends to
hold 3-prong plugs in the outlet more tightly and resist the plug
falling out, like when you're using an extension cord and tug on it.


Ground up is industrial code and this year's revision also calls for ground
up on residential.


I can't believe they made the code that way when it looks so stupid.


To some people, safety is more important than a ridiculously distorted
sense of esthetics.


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On Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:47:33 -0700, David Nebenzahl
wrote:

On 8/29/2008 12:53 PM Mark spake thus:

On Aug 29, 12:14 pm, "Steve Barker DLT"
wrote:

that's because it doesn't matter.

"Mark" wrote in message
...

I find it funny that the NEC seems to cover every detail you could
think of, but not this one.


well it does matter in the sense that many cords and wall warts seem
to hang better with the ground pin down....but many commercial
buildings seem to have the ground pin up...


Except that, as someone else pointed out, almost all wall warts have 2
prongs and no ground pin.


However, some (for no apparent reason) have POLARIZED plugs. That has
the same effect as having a ground pin, for limiting the ways they can
be turned.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"The government of the United States is not, in
any sense, founded on the Christian religion."

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On Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:33:43 -0400, "Edwin Pawlowski"
wrote:


wrote in message

Ground up does not work well with all plugs (then again ground
down does not work well with some other plugs.)


I recently bought some power strips for the office and the plug rotates so
it can be use in either direction or even at 45 degrees if you want. All
the new recepticals installed during a remodel are ground up.


I just saw a 3-pack of "outlet savers" in a store. Those are the
things that are supposed to let you use all the outlets in a power
strip, even when you have several wall-warts. $2 each is a really high
price to pay for 6-inch extension cords.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"The government of the United States is not, in
any sense, founded on the Christian religion."

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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up?


wrote in message
...
On Aug 29, 11:25?pm, DerbyDad03 wrote:
On Aug 28, 4:59?pm, "john" wrote:

Does the 2008 NEC specify which way to orient 3-prong outlets?


Should it be


ground on
tophttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/Electrical_o...


or


ground on
bottomhttp://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/00/34/23433400.jpg


?


The tradition seems to be ground on bottom, but I heard it is safer to
have
ground on top so falling coins are less likely to short out a loosely
plugged in plug.


I just so happened to have to unplug the freezer in my garage this
evening. Right angle plug, ground up. That would explain why I
installed the receptacle ground up.


had some change fall off a tablew and fell just right to a ground down
outlet with plug not in all the way a few years ago.

what a spark display, it took a long time for the breaker to trip. i
nearly turned them all to ground up after this exciting event.

have seen some devices with accordion like rubber covers to preevent
this, bet one day they are code

Already is in the real world! Has been for years in Brit.


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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up?

On Aug 30, 4:27*pm, Mark Lloyd wrote:
On Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:33:43 -0400, "Edwin Pawlowski"
wrote:



wrote in message


* Ground up does not work well with all plugs (then again ground
down does not work well with some other plugs.)


I recently bought some power strips for the office and the plug rotates so
it can be use in either direction or even at 45 degrees if you want. *All
the new recepticals installed during a remodel are ground up.


I just saw a 3-pack of "outlet savers" in a store. Those are the
things that are supposed to let you use all the outlets in a power
strip, even when you have several wall-warts. $2 each is a really high
price to pay for 6-inch extension cords.
--
Mark Lloydhttp://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"The government of the United States is not, in
any sense, founded on the Christian religion."


$2 each is a really high price to pay for 6-inch extension cords.

Price out your other options.

Let's say you have 5 or 6 warts and an outlet strip that will only
accommodate 3.

Option 1 - Another power strip. Takes up more space, won't be fully
utilized and probably costs more than $6.

Option 2 - Longer extension cords. Takes up more space (sloppy) and
probably costs more than $6

Option 3 - Spread your warts out to other outlets. Assuming that's
possible, what's the convenience of having all the warts in one place
worth to you? Probably more than $6.

Option 4 - Make your own 6-inch exttension cords. A viable option, but
it'll probably cost close to $6 for all the parts, although you will
have the pleasure of making your own and saying "shove it" to
corporate America. :-)

All in all, I'm not sure that "$2 each is a really high price to pay
for 6-inch extension cords"


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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up?

On Aug 30, 3:38*pm, "Dave + Gloria"
wrote:
wrote in message

...
On Aug 29, 11:25?pm, DerbyDad03 wrote:





On Aug 28, 4:59?pm, "john" wrote:


Does the 2008 NEC specify which way to orient 3-prong outlets?


Should it be


ground on
tophttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/Electrical_o...


or


ground on
bottomhttp://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/00/34/23433400.jpg


?


The tradition seems to be ground on bottom, but I heard it is safer to
have
ground on top so falling coins are less likely to short out a loosely
plugged in plug.


I just so happened to have to unplug the freezer in my garage this
evening. Right angle plug, ground up. That would explain why I
installed the receptacle ground up.


had some change fall off a tablew and fell just right to a ground down
outlet with plug not in all the way a few years ago.

what a spark display, it took a long time for the breaker to trip. i
nearly turned them all to ground up after this exciting event.

have seen some devices with accordion like rubber covers to preevent
this, bet one day they are code

Already is in the real world! Has been for years in Brit.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


With 240 volt supply the Brit has an even better reason for
protections.


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"Mark Lloyd" wrote in message
I just saw a 3-pack of "outlet savers" in a store. Those are the
things that are supposed to let you use all the outlets in a power
strip, even when you have several wall-warts. $2 each is a really high
price to pay for 6-inch extension cords.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com


The labor cost is the same to put the ends on a 6" cord as for a 10' cord.
How about you make me up a half dozen for a buck apiece?


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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up?

Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
"Mark Lloyd" wrote in message
I just saw a 3-pack of "outlet savers" in a store. Those are the
things that are supposed to let you use all the outlets in a power
strip, even when you have several wall-warts. $2 each is a really high
price to pay for 6-inch extension cords.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com


The labor cost is the same to put the ends on a 6" cord as for a 10' cord.
How about you make me up a half dozen for a buck apiece?


The "labor" is done by a machine.
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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up?

On Aug 30, 10:43*pm, LouB wrote:
Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
"Mark Lloyd" wrote in message
I just saw a 3-pack of "outlet savers" in a store. Those are the
things that are supposed to let you use all the outlets in a power
strip, even when you have several wall-warts. $2 each is a really high
price to pay for 6-inch extension cords.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com


The labor cost is the same to put the ends on a 6" cord as for a 10' cord.
How about you make me up a half dozen for a buck apiece?


The "labor" is done by a machine.


The "labor" is done by a machine

Are machines free?

Fine, have it your way...

The machine cost is the same to put the ends on a 6" cord as for a 10'
cord.



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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up?


"LouB" wrote in message
...
Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
"Mark Lloyd" wrote in message
I just saw a 3-pack of "outlet savers" in a store. Those are the
things that are supposed to let you use all the outlets in a power
strip, even when you have several wall-warts. $2 each is a really high
price to pay for 6-inch extension cords.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com


The labor cost is the same to put the ends on a 6" cord as for a 10'
cord. How about you make me up a half dozen for a buck apiece?

The "labor" is done by a machine.


Oh I didn't realize the machine went to the storeroom to get the parts, then
assembled them and put them into finished goods inventory all with no people
involved and no cost for the machine since there is no operator. Thank you
for correcting my error.


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Default 3 prong outlet, which way is up?

LouB wrote:
Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
"Mark Lloyd" wrote in message
I just saw a 3-pack of "outlet savers" in a store. Those are the
things that are supposed to let you use all the outlets in a power
strip, even when you have several wall-warts. $2 each is a really high
price to pay for 6-inch extension cords.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com


The labor cost is the same to put the ends on a 6" cord as for a 10'
cord. How about you make me up a half dozen for a buck apiece?

The "labor" is done by a machine.

It is like beer- you are mostly paying for the packaging and shipping,
not the beer itself. Per oz, a keg is the cheapest way to buy beer. Unit
cost for consumer goods can never drop below a certain point, or there
would be no reason for the product to be made, because nobody would make
any money on it.

--
aem sends...
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