[ARC5] [BoatAnchors] 125 VAC Line? Make Your BA's Happy, Cheap.

[Glen Zook]

Looking through NFPA NEC (National Electrical Code), I cannot find, in the entire Article 406, Receptacles, Cord Connectors, and Attachment Plugs (Caps), any recommendation or requirement that states if the ground plug, on 125 VAC receptacles, is to be mounted in any particular position.


Remember, it is perfectly acceptable to mount receptacles horizontally as well as vertically.  When mounted horizontally, depending on whether or not the ground pin is on the left hand side, or the right hand side, if something dropped onto the connectors will result in a contact between the "hot" side and either the "neutral" or "ground" side.  There is very little potential difference between the "neutral" and "ground" because those connections are connected to the same point at the breaker box.  However, the full potential does exist between the "hot" side and either of the 2 other sides of the line.


As such, from my interpretation of NFPA NEC, the choice of mounting direction of the "ground" pin is up to the installer.  For decades, the "usual" position of the "ground" pin has been on the lower side if the receptacle is mounted vertically.  But, there is some reasoning to mount the "ground" pin on the upper side "just in case" something conductive is dropped on the outlet.

 Glen, K9STH 
Website: http://k9sth.net
 
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