The electrical code allows outlets to be installed with the ground plug hole facing up, down or sideways. Its up to you, there is no standard electric outlet orientation. So that means there really is no such thing as upside down outlets.

What is the proper way to mount an outlet?

The outlet should be oriented with the ground pin down because a person grabbing the outlet will have their index finger at the bottom side of the plug and the index finger sticks out further than the thumb. Having the ground down will keep a persons index finger from touching the live pins.

Should all outlets have a ground wire?

The National Electrical Code requires that all receptacles installed in all 15- and 20-amp, 120-volt circuits be grounded. If your house wiring predates the adoption of this requirement, you dont have to replace your ungrounded receptacles with grounded ones.

Why do electrical outlets have 3 prongs?

When you plug in a three-pronged plug, that third prong is providing an alternate pathway for electricity in the event of a fault. If you cut the third prong off of a plug, you defeat the safety feature. Also, adapters were designed to use the cover screw to complete a ground circuit on some older plug designs.

What happens when you wire an outlet backwards?

In a correctly wired outlet, electricity will flow to the switch; with reversed polarity, it will be present in the item itself even when it is not turned on. In either case, the item will not function until the switch is flipped to close the circuit.

What is the third hole in an outlet called?

ground hole The third hole is the ground hole. The hot hole is connected to the wire that supplies the electrical current. The neutral hole is connected to the wire that brings the electrical current back to the breaker box.