Why Is My Electrical Outlet Upside Down? - Marty Ringham - LinkedIn

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Some electricians install a receptacle that is controlled by a wall switch upside down, as an easy way to indicate which receptacles in a room are switched. Normally the top receptacle will only be on when the light switch in the room is turned on, and the bottom one is ‘hot’ all the time.

Some electricians install a receptacle that is controlled by a wall switch with a ‘red’ dot next to the outlet that is controlled by the light switch, very common in manufactured homes. The bottom one is ‘hot’ all the time.

Note the different type of slot on 1 side on the 20 amp receptacle, as compared to the 15 amp receptacle. You will typically find these in the kitchen or utility room, where higher amp appliances may be plugged in – like a crock pot, toaster, etc. The wiring from the breaker panel for a 20 amp receptacle must be 12 gauge instead of 14 gauge, and the breaker in the panel should also be a 20 amp breaker on those circuits.

Garages must have GFCI outlets. They are designed to measure resistance between the floor or ground and the outlet, and will trip when a miniscule amount is detected. If you have a fridge or freezer in the garage plugged into a GFCI outlet, put the small legs of the appliance up on a small piece of wood. This will insulate the appliance from the floor and assist in preventing the GFCI from tripping needlessly – and ruining all the contents in the appliance – while still affording you the GFCI protection should you touch the appliance and there is a fault. How often do you check your freezer in the garage (in the summer) to see if it is working? Not uncommon to go days (or weeks) without you opening the door. A fridge for beer…well, I assume that is being ‘checked’ daily…

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