[GreenKeys] Switch polarity

Mon May 29 20:23:42 EDT 2017

I do my fair share of home wiring and always wondered what the proper orientation of the wall outlet was supposed to be.  I just followed the other outlets originally in the house (ground pin down).  But, this is interesting that the ground should be up. 

I just checked our Kenmore washer and the power cord is indeed a right angle cord, but with the ground pin down (for the cord wire to properly route down to the washer).  I guess Sears decided for all of us that ground should be down.

Of course, all my 33’s have straight cords so no issues there!  

_____________________________________

PJ Bennett, BSEE

918.704.7055 |  <mailto:pj at pjbennett.com> pj at pjbennett.com | pjbennett.com

From: GreenKeys [mailto:greenkeys-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Michael O'Day
Sent: Monday, May 29, 2017 2:01 PM
To: greenkeys at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [GreenKeys] Switch polarity

Scott,

 That would explain why I have had to "flip" a few outlets when plugging in heavier appliances that use a right angle plug like my refrigerator and dryer. I always cringe when I see a cord with that 180 degree bend. Odd that they would pass inspection installed like that.

Mike O'Day

N9ODM

On Mon, May 29, 2017 at 12:20 PM, Scott Johnson <scottjohnson1 at cox.net <mailto:scottjohnson1 at cox.net> > wrote:

Convention in the commonwealth seems to be up for off, everywhere else seems to be opposite.  In aerospace, up is on, for a vertical panel, forward is on, for an overhead panel, and outward is “on” for a side panel.  BTW, in north America, the grounding terminal on a NEMA 15  is SUPPOSED to be up, even the writing on the outlet bears this out, but I think design folks liked the “face” look, so down is common.  In some locales, and in Canada I believe, ground up is enforced.  The rationale is it is first to make, last to break, and you should be able to visually align the plug with the receptacle using the ground pin.

Scott V. Johnson W7SVJ

5111 E. Sharon Dr.

Scottsdale, AZ 85254-3636

H (602) 953-5779 <tel:(602)%20953-5779> 

C (480) 550-2358 <tel:(480)%20550-2358> 

 <mailto:scottjohnson1 at cox.net> scottjohnson1 at cox.net

 <mailto:scott.johnson at ieee.org> scott.johnson at ieee.org

From: GreenKeys [mailto:greenkeys-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of drlegendre .
Sent: Saturday, May 27, 2017 8:34 PM
To: WA5CAB at cs.com <mailto:WA5CAB at cs.com> 
Cc: Green Keys <greenkeys at mailman.qth.net <mailto:greenkeys at mailman.qth.net> >
Subject: Re: [GreenKeys] Switch polarity

Pretty sure that "up for off" convention is a result of the Commonwealth.. IIRC, many of the 3-pin Euro mains plugs expect the 3rd terminal to be up vs. down as in American systems. 

The one that always gets me, is the reverse standard for valving on locomotives. In most any case, a ball valve is open when the lever is parallel to the line (makes sense). But I was told this is the direct opposite of the railways, where the valve is open when the lever is perpendicular to the line. 

Confirm, deny, excoriate? 

On Sat, May 27, 2017 at 10:08 PM, WA5CAB--- via GreenKeys <greenkeys at mailman.qth.net <mailto:greenkeys at mailman.qth.net> > wrote:

Because they are in the northern hemisphere?  :-)

In a message dated 05/27/2017 21:30:46 PM Central Daylight Time,  <mailto:dave at horsfall.org> dave at horsfall.org writes: 

One thing that's been bothering me when watching old American films; why 
are their switches always upside-down i.e. flip it up for "on"?

-- 
Dave Horsfall DTM (VK2KFU)  "Those who don't understand security will suffer."

Robert & Susan Downs - Houston
wa5cab dot com (Web Store)
MVPA 9480

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