Why do sockets look sad instead of happy?

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Some may be sad because they may hurt you because they are in the wall wrong side up. That is...if the metal wall plate is loose and drops down on the plug prongs it can be electrified. If the socket is turned around it will only contact the ground.

Is there a way to childproof sockets? Make them thicker, maybe? Anything to get rid of that boyfriend-girlfriend-think-you're-a-monster look.

ok. you can google it, have fun.

ok. I did find a site that said not to because the electricity would fall out

There is really no such thing as an upside down plug ........ unless its written in the manufacturer's installation instructions or written on the outlet (some actually have "top" written on them) you can install the receptacle in any direction you like.

The Electrical Code doesn't require a specific orientation of a duplex outlet. Most often the ground is at the bottom, but the outlet can be mounted horizontally as well as vertically.

Many prefer that the ground be located at the bottom .... the thinking is if the plug works loose the ground remains in contact longer. If mounted horizontally most prefer to have the neutral (wide blade) side up so any foreign object that falls onto a partly exposed blade would contact either the neugral or the ground.

GFCIs often have the test/reset indicators labeled so they can be read whether the ground is up or down. In other words ...... it's a choice.

In the IEEE standard 602-1996, section 4.2.2 ...... advises that hospital-grade outlets be used and that they should be mounted with the ground pin or neutral blade up to assure that any metal that may drop between the plug and the wall will most likely contact an unenergized blade.

I got that from a smart guy.^

It's was all cool Fuzzy. What do you do now?


I think it's the silent gape. Anyone else have a reason why they look sad?

I came into this thread because I was thinking about socket wrenches, so couldn't figure out the happy/sad issue until the photos. And now I know much more out electrical sockets (outlets?) than I did. Thanks all.

P.S.: As I look at the socket on the wall, I'd describe it's expression as "surprised" or "stunned", with one "eye" wider than the other. But I'm terrible at reading facial expressions on humans...so this outcome is hardly shocking.

Oh my sockets are very lonely since no two of them are in the same place.

Oh goodness what a new idea to me, I have never considered if sockets are happy or sad.

On the gender issue, I think that for some socket/plugs it is clear.

4 mm Banana plugs, UK, Swedish (type F), UHF (M type) have clear gender I can see instantly which is male and which is female.

The French / Czech / Polish type E, BNC, TNC, N series, twinax do not show clear gender. While for the RF plugs the core of the coax is connected to a pin the pin does not stick out and it is in a socket like recess which is part of the plug.

I just wish that I could get RF plugs and sockets to reproduce, it would quite nice if I could leave a few N type plugs and sockets in my spares bag and come back in a week and find either new N type or BNC plugs / sockets.

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