answersLogoWhite

0

Down This question is the source for debate among electricians since grounding was introduced many years ago. The one thought is that the ground pin should face upward. The proponents of this thought state that if any object drops onto the plug from above, the plug will not get knocked out of the receptacle and short out, as the ground blade being longer that the rest, will hold the plug in more securely. Also that the ground pin would mechanically protect the hot and neutral blades from shorting out from thin metal objects dropped from above. The other thought is that the ground blade should face down. The proponents of this thought state that if any object drops onto the plug from above, the hot and neutral blades being shorter, will disengage right away. The ground blade maintaining equipment ground even after the hot and neutral blades have disconnected as it is longer that the rest and last to leave the receptacle. I install down. <><><> As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed. Before you do any work yourself,

on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,

always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized. IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

Can you change outlet to fit old 3 prong outlet?

An old 2 hole receptacle can be changed to a 3 hole receptacle that will accept a 3 prong plug, provided a ground wire is available at the box and connected to the ground (green) lug on the new receptacle. A 2 hole receptacle has a hot and neutral wire, while a 3 hole receptacle will require a ground wire connection -- in addition to the hot and neutral wires.


What is a U-ground outlet?

A U-ground outlet, also known as a NEMA 5-15R outlet, is a type of electrical outlet commonly found in homes and commercial buildings. It has a horizontal slot for the neutral prong and a vertical slot for the hot prong, with a semicircular hole underneath for the ground prong. This design helps ensure that the outlet is properly grounded for safety.


What is a 3 prong outlet?

Simply put, it is any electrical outlet the has three holes that the female end plugs into. What this is referred to most of the time (but not always) is a regular 110V outlet. Older outlets had only two holes, one for the hot, one for the neutral. All newer installations have the third hole for the ground wire.


What is a four prong outlet used for?

There are a couple of catagories for plug descriptions. Straight blade and twist lock blade. The amperage and voltage rating is embossed on the plug (trade name for plug is cap, wall part receptacle). See related links for a chart.


What is the function of the 'ground' prong?

Basically, Your ground prong is essential to protecting you from being in contact with an "unsuspecting Live current flow." It eliminates YOU as the primary grounding to whatever your plug is supplying power to, and sends any current flow, manually drawn (like touching it), into the ground prong. Your feet touching the earth acts as a "grounding" process, but with a ground prong; itself alone acts as the ground for you, allowing you to escape the ability to receive external power.

Related Questions

Can you change outlet to fit old 3 prong outlet?

An old 2 hole receptacle can be changed to a 3 hole receptacle that will accept a 3 prong plug, provided a ground wire is available at the box and connected to the ground (green) lug on the new receptacle. A 2 hole receptacle has a hot and neutral wire, while a 3 hole receptacle will require a ground wire connection -- in addition to the hot and neutral wires.


What is a U-ground outlet?

A U-ground outlet, also known as a NEMA 5-15R outlet, is a type of electrical outlet commonly found in homes and commercial buildings. It has a horizontal slot for the neutral prong and a vertical slot for the hot prong, with a semicircular hole underneath for the ground prong. This design helps ensure that the outlet is properly grounded for safety.


How do you test for groung on a two prong outlet?

Buy a tester. They are very cheap and will tell you at a glance if the outlets are wired correctly. The only other way is to remove the outlet and look see. But if it is a 2 prong outlet with no ground hole then it does not have a ground.


What is a 3 prong outlet?

Simply put, it is any electrical outlet the has three holes that the female end plugs into. What this is referred to most of the time (but not always) is a regular 110V outlet. Older outlets had only two holes, one for the hot, one for the neutral. All newer installations have the third hole for the ground wire.


What does a 110 outlet for air conditioner look like?

A 110-volt outlet for an air conditioner typically resembles a standard household outlet, which has two vertical slots and a round grounding hole. It may be either a two-prong or three-prong configuration, depending on whether it includes a ground. The outlet is usually rated for 15 or 20 amps, allowing it to safely power smaller window or portable air conditioning units. Always ensure that the outlet is properly grounded and meets the specific requirements of the air conditioning unit.


What is a four prong outlet used for?

There are a couple of catagories for plug descriptions. Straight blade and twist lock blade. The amperage and voltage rating is embossed on the plug (trade name for plug is cap, wall part receptacle). See related links for a chart.


What is the function of the 'ground' prong?

Basically, Your ground prong is essential to protecting you from being in contact with an "unsuspecting Live current flow." It eliminates YOU as the primary grounding to whatever your plug is supplying power to, and sends any current flow, manually drawn (like touching it), into the ground prong. Your feet touching the earth acts as a "grounding" process, but with a ground prong; itself alone acts as the ground for you, allowing you to escape the ability to receive external power.


How do you install 12V power outlet in ford winstar?

drill hole in dashboard, install outlet in hole, and run two wires to the battery


What is the point of having a hole puncher?

Hole punchers can be used for a multitude of reasons including artistic purposes. Single hole punchers are much more portable than 3-prong hole punchers and can easily substitute for them. Moreover, hole punchers are often also used as a way to permanently "mark" or score many pieces of paper in a stack simultaneously for various tasks.


What does a Game Boy Advance charger look like?

It is white and has a white battery pack attached to it which goes into the spot where AA batteries go. The small white plug must be plugged into the small hole in the pack and the larger 2 pronged plug must be plugged into a two prong outlet.


What are the necessary steps for installing a drywall outlet box in a room?

To install a drywall outlet box in a room, you will need to mark the location on the wall, cut a hole in the drywall, insert the box into the hole, secure it in place, and then connect the electrical wires to the outlet. Finally, attach the outlet cover plate.


What is that humming sound coming from your speakers?

It's AC hum, arising from the fact that power from the outlet is alternating current (changes direction many times - 60 in the US - times per second. Solution: Make sure that ALL active components in your sound system (tuners, CD players, amplifiers, etc.) are grounded. If they have three pronged plugs, plug them into a three hole outlet, WITHOUT a three to two adaptor. If no three hole outlets are available, use a three hole to two prong adaptor, but make sure the green wire is connected to a ground. If one or more of the components do not have a three prong plug, connect a wire from some screw in the frame of the component to a ground, or to a screw in the frame of some other component that DOES have a three-prong plug. IF the component with speakers connected, makes a loud hum when it is grounded and no other components are connected, it's filtering electronics will need to be repaired. Same applies to other components is the noise occurs only when they are connected.