Here’s Why Electricians Install Some Outlets Upside Down

If you have light switches connected to outlets in your home, you might have trouble remembering which connects to the other. Even in a home you've lived in for years, if you rearrange the lamps or never use the fan, you might forget which switch to hit. And although it's a "first world problem," it's still annoying.

But as one realtor shared, there's a practical solution that electricians use to avoid this nuisance. It's common to find some electrical outlets installed upside down in homes and buildings.

Although it's frustrating to use upside-down outlets, it's for a good reason if they're connected to a switch. While it may seem strange, there's a logical reason electricians do this. Let's dive into just how common this practice is - and how homeowners benefit from this industry's best practice.

Why Electricians Install Some Outlets Upside Down

Unless you had some lazy electrical work done by a DIYer, home flipper, or novice electrician, upside-down outlets indicate a light switch controls them. Most electricians install outlets to show they are connected to a wall switch. Installing the ground prong on top usually indicates power is controlled elsewhere. This tells homeowners not to unplug lamps and other devices when switched off.

Although homeowners in the comments were full of doubt and confusion, many builders and home inspectors support this practice. Scott Home Inspection's explanation,

"There is no requirement within the standard electrical building code for the orientation of electrical outlets; it is a best practice to install them with the grounding pin on the bottom. But another best practice is to install an outlet controlled by a wall switch to be installed upside down with the grounding pin facing up."

Remember that industry standards and best practices are not always the same thing. What's normalized for builders and home inspectors may not be normalized for electricians. On the other hand, plenty of electricians are also experienced in building or home inspection. Sometimes, this overlap allows for industry standards to become best practices.

Industry Standard vs. Best Practice Electrical Codes

Industry standards are a great way to protect your home and ensure the best user experience for homeowners. The National Electrical Code (NEC) sets guidelinesfor the placement of outlets, restrictions on the number of wires and voltage connected to outlets, and even how many switches are controlled by Outlets.

Mini electricians consider the industry standard set by the NEC to be best practice. However, electricians who overlap with other construction and contractor-related industries like home inspection and building may determine best practices by combining these industry standards.

There's nothing wrong with that - as long as everything is up to code. But for old hat master electricians, this quick visual hack to identify controlled outlets may not be an industry standard but falls under best practice.

Improving Safety and Preventing Confusion

As much as you may want your home up to code, preventing confusion is the best practice you can follow. And the codes and standards for residential electricians versus commercial electricians do vary. Inverted control outlet installation is a common best practice and Industry standard for commercial property.

Inverted control outlet installation reduces the risk of getting shocked by plugging into anoutlet with the switchoff. It also prevents leaving on devices that are plugged in. And it avoids having a constant power supply in certain outlets. If whatever electrician installed or approved the outlets in your home and dabbled in both commercial and residential electrical codes, you may benefit from this best practice trade hack yourself.

While upside-down outlets may seem odd, they serve an important purpose. Following this standard electrical practice improves the safety and understanding of your home's electrical system. Next time you see an upside-down outlet, you'll know why it was installed that way!

Follow us on Google News, subscribe to get Home & Garden news to your inbox and share your latest project for a chance to be featured!