The important part is that the installation complies with local regulations and is completed safely.
Why Most Homes Have Them Ground Down
If upside-down outlets have safety advantages, why aren’t they used everywhere?
The answer is surprisingly simple: tradition.
Residential construction has historically favored outlets with the grounding hole at the bottom.
Over time, homeowners became accustomed to that appearance.
Manufacturers often photograph products that way.
Furniture designers expect outlets to face that direction.
As a result, it became the visual standard that many people recognize.
Sometimes, familiarity is the only reason something
feels “correct.”
An Easy Way to Identify Switched Outlets
Another interesting reason involves switched outlets.
In many homes, one half of a duplex outlet is controlled by a wall switch—for example, allowing you to turn a floor lamp on and off without touching the lamp itself.
