[BC] Fused plugs - was Hot and grounded chassis

[Kirk Harnack]

On the subject of "ground pin up or ground pin down" on AC outlets, here's a
comment from another forum...

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This is an old debate. The NEC does not speak of it - and the "safer way"
explanation is a stretch.

Pick up nearly any electrical how to book and you'll notice any outlet pics
are shown ground down...and this is the case on websites too.
http://images.google.com/images?q=electrical+outlet&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images

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So, if you Google pics of outlets, MOST of them are shown ground pin down.

Another commenter gave this explanation....

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Having the ground hole on the top was removed from the code few editions
ago. It use to be a requirement only in medical facilities, the reason was
if a metal object, such as a scalpel, were to fall onto a plug inserted into
the wall, and if the plug had come out some exposing the metal blades, the
metal object would fall against the ground prong first, and most likely
deflect the object from the live exposed blades, and prevent any chance of
sparks. Sparks and anesthesia do not mix well, or at least they use to
explode easily.

And since most hospitals were wired by large union contractors, the practice
spilled over to other installations over the generations. Methods performed
by union electricians often became widely used in the industry.

Nowadays it is only a matter of taste. Not really sure why this requirement
was removed, never really researched it.

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And here's an interesting variation on the whole mess..
http://pics.davesgarden.com/pics/Skapare_1145328760_563_tn.jpg

And
http://www.americandenki.co.jp/E/1-M/M1/M1-11/M1-11_e.html



Thanks for the info and discourse,

Kirk Harnack