ECN Forum
Posted By: electure Hospital Recps - 06/10/01 12:10 PM
I got bit by the dog, and ended up at Kaiser the other night for stitches. While there I noticed that all the recps were installed with the U-grd up. I'm not trying to raise that old subject we've already beaten to death, but is there some non NEC reason for this? I've noticed that all the hospitals I've been in are this way. Also, the Doctor said the same.
Posted By: Anonymous Re: Hospital Recps - 06/10/01 07:10 PM
All the reasons given were non-NEC.
Posted By: electure Re: Hospital Recps - 06/10/01 10:28 PM
I realize that there's no NEC requirement. What I'm asking is if there is another code such as UBC or?? that applies here, and if so what it is. I've not done hospitals, nor seen specs or prints for them. I don't know why. That is why I'm asking.
Posted By: sparky Re: Hospital Recps - 06/10/01 11:40 PM
electure;
there is a JCOAH ( joint commission on the accredidation of hospitals), and as far as my experience, we are no where near the code-thumpers they are, so it could possibly be a lead to your chief Q.

p.s., where you inspecting a kennel???

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Anonymous Re: Hospital Recps - 06/10/01 11:46 PM
These are shown ground up: http://www.quail.com/locator/nema.htm
Posted By: electure Re: Hospital Recps - 06/11/01 11:40 AM
Sparky, Thanks, Maybe that's the answer. No, I was just in the yard and the dog went nuts when he caught a bird, and forgot who the boss was.
DSpark, I can't put much store in that chart, as they can't even spell receptacle correctly. I'm not trying to start the old up-down thing again. (That old Jack and the Beanstalk subject).
Posted By: Redsy Re: Hospital Recps - 06/11/01 03:42 PM
I have come to the conclusion that it is a personal preference and, short of requests by customers, its either up or down. That being said, I seem to think that this whole controversy is only about 10 years old(correct me if I am wrong). Up until then I believe that ground was always down. I am not saying that this is better, because there are good reasons shown for griund up. But then again, old habits die hard.
Posted By: WARREN1 Re: Hospital Recps - 06/12/01 02:28 PM
I agree this horse has been run hard and put up wet too many times. But if you notice how many home appliance makers use a cord with the u-gnd molded in the down position. Refrigerators and freezers are good examples. If the u-gnd is in the up position on the receptacle then the cord will have an unusual sharp bend in it. This stress in the backward position will eventually cause a home-owner to call a good electrician to replace the cord. That's where you guys come in.
Why do these manufacturers make the cords that way? Others use a straight plug which can be turned either way. I just don't know how to figure it all out.
We had an experience at our house with the molded plug with the u-gnd down. It was on a fish tank piece of equipment which was on a desk against the wall. One of our grandchildren pushed some pennies of the bvack of the desk. So happens the plug was not seated tight to the receptacle and a penny fell in behind and onto the hot and neutral. My circuit breaker did trip. It took several times around the house to find that one. Had the u-gnd been in the up position, then the penny would have just rolled off without touching any other pole.
So there are arguments still remaining for either application.
Posted By: tmon Re: Hospital Recps - 07/06/01 07:15 AM
I worked as an electrician in a hospital for 15 years and we began placing the rec.s with the ground up many years ago. The reason being is that we used stainless steel covers and over time as the receptacles were utilized, the covers would loosen and often fall on the hot and neutral blades of the cord cap. This happens a lot. With the ground up, you have a good chance of it not grounding the hot. Hope this helps.
Posted By: Joe Tedesco Re: Hospital Recps - 07/06/01 01:27 PM
[Linked Image from codecheck.com]

Good reason for the U ground to be up.


[This message has been edited by Joe Tedesco (edited 07-06-2001).]
Posted By: Glenn Re: Hospital Recps - 07/06/01 03:33 PM
Joe,

Just as a talking point(s);

What type OC for this circuit ?

Time to trip, ( open the circuit )?

Was the same OC, if an CB, left in service after the recp was replaced?

Where practical ( if right angle plugs are not used ) I had changed my recps to "Ground Up " position several years ago.

I do not have many metal recp covers thru-out my premises'( house and two garages), but a few.

Glenn
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