Can one of you electricians answer me a question?

[Dannmann801]

I have often noticed while visiting hospital rooms the the outlets are often installed with the grouind hole up vs down.
Ground hole down is what most folk consider normal. The outlets in the picture are normally considered "upside down".
What is the reason for this?

 

[Outdoorsfellar]

I'm no electrician, but I was in charge of our hospital. It's a safety issue, to prevent short circuts.....especially with o2 all around.....

 

[jagermeister]

My dad (an electrician) explained to me one time that ground-up is actually the way they’re supposed to be. If a plug starts to sag due to gravity or some other reason, the ground terminal will be exposed instead of the “hot” terminal. Basically, with the ground hole up, there’s a lower risk of accidental shock. It would also make sense that there would be less chance of a spark… which, inside a hospital with flammable gases everywhere, sparks are bad, mmmmm-kay. lol

 

[Dannmann801]

Well gentlemen, that makes perfect sense, question answered problem solved.
The superpower of TOO knowledge.

 

[Ohiosam]

I’ve heard that one reason for ground up it if something thin and conductive fell on the plug there was less chance of a short.

But every 90 degree plug I have has the ground on the bottom. So I believe that is the standard.

 

[Jackalope]

My dad (an electrician) explained to me one time that ground-up is actually the way they’re supposed to be. If a plug starts to sag due to gravity or some other reason, the ground terminal will be exposed instead of the “hot” terminal. Basically, with the ground hole up, there’s a lower risk of accidental shock. It would also make sense that there would be less chance of a spark… which, inside a hospital with flammable gases everywhere, sparks are bad, mmmmm-kay. lol

This is what I've always heard also. Their face plate screws are also in Daves preferred vertical position. Mine is horizontal.

 

[Smawgunner2]

Because most cords have the grounds facing up

 

[Buckmaster]

This is what I've always heard also. Their face plate screws are also in Daves preferred vertical position. Mine is horizontal.

View attachment 213950

Dust catchers.

 

[giles]

To also add to what was said, it prevents fires from papers falling and landing on the legs. Standard practice for commercial install is ground up for all the reasons listed.

 

[giles]

This is what I've always heard also. Their face plate screws are also in Daves preferred vertical position. Mine is horizontal.

View attachment 213950

And look at all that 7.3 jizz stuck in that screw