[ARC5] AC Receptacles

[Robert Eleazer]

Back in the late 70's while in California I was told by an electrician that the proper way to install receptacles is with the ground at the top.  He said that this had two benefits:

1.  In the event the cord was jerked hard, the ground pin would tend to pull out rather than break off.
2.  With the ground pin at the top the outlet does not look like a human face, and thus is less attractive to a child to play with.

A year and a half ago I had an electrician replace my swimming pool breaker panel (it was the dreaded FPE type) and also install an additional outdoor receptacle.  He told me that such a receptacle in a pool area had to be fitted with a GFI, and provided one.  I noted that he installed the GFI with the ground pin at the bottom and asked him if it was true that the ground pin should be at the top.  He replied that if he was doing work in a hospital he would be required to install it that way.

In any case, ever since being told about the practice over 30 years ago, I install new receptacles with the ground pin at the top.

Wayne