Outlet Receptacle Orientation: The Great Debate
A wall receptacle may have its grounding opening above or below the two blade slots, or it may be mounted horizontally. Appearance alone does not tell you whether it is correctly wired, properly grounded or suitable for its location. Follow the product instructions and applicable installation requirements; ask a licensed electrician about a particular installation.
Does orientation identify a switched outlet?
Some installers use a different orientation to distinguish a receptacle controlled by a wall switch, but this is not a dependable identification method. One or both halves of a duplex receptacle may be switched. Do not assume power is off because of its orientation or a nearby switch.
Exposed plug blades remain a hazard
A partially inserted plug can leave energized metal exposed. A metal object contacting it can cause shock, arcing or a short circuit. Do not rely on a standard circuit breaker to prevent injury: ordinary overcurrent protection is not the same as personnel ground-fault protection.
Ground-up orientation may affect how an object contacts a three-prong plug, but it does not eliminate the hazard. Fully seated plugs, secure cover plates and receptacles that hold plugs firmly matter in every orientation. Have loose or damaged components evaluated; do not reach for a metal object touching plug blades.
Horizontal mounting is not a safety guarantee
Placing the neutral slot above the hot slot does not make an exposed connection safe. Do not infer actual wiring from the visible slot arrangement. Leave wiring changes and fault diagnosis to a qualified electrician.
Grounding and GFCI protection are different
A three-slot face does not prove that an equipment grounding path exists. GFCI protection can reduce certain shock risks, but does not create an equipment ground or make every contact safe. An electrician should determine permitted replacement options and any required labels for an ungrounded circuit.
Clarification of the older discussion below: The earlier comment about replacing ungrounded receptacles with GFCIs was incomplete. Suitability, wiring and required labeling must be evaluated for the specific installation; it should not be read as a DIY replacement instruction.
What an inspection can establish
An inspection can report accessible, observable electrical concerns within its scope. Receptacle orientation alone is not a substitute for assessing condition and appropriate protection, and a basic tester cannot establish every aspect of wiring safety.
Reference: CPSC Guide to Home Wiring Hazards. For related information, see our article on bootleg grounds.
Thanks for your post. I am glad NEC allows intallation both ways. I installed the receptacles in my home upside down because, being European, I did not want to look at those scared faces all the time. With the install, I am not meeting the code because a good number of the receptacles is not grounded (which is against code), but I considered this option much safer with little kids around than adding an adapter plug for cords with a ground (e.g. power strips). The connection is poor to begin with, compared to our European 1/8 inch thick prongs, and the flat prongs also bend too easily. An adapter and plug stick out 3-4″.
That’s for the looks, but I also agree with your safety argument favoring the upside down position of receptacles. I had a painting business for a number of years and had to measure a wall behind a fridge one time. Outlets for fridges are often about 4 feet high, right at the level where I was measuring. The thin metal measuring tape got stuck between the plug and the wall and rested on the 2 prongs (with the face-up installation). It shorted on the prongs and I burned 2 holes in my tape.
Thanks for the feedback. As for your ungrounded receptacles, you can replace them with a GFCI receptacle. This will provide some protection for the occupants albeit no real protection for equipment plugged into them. This is a more cost effective alternative to having all new circuits pulled throughout the home.
Cheers!