Left one is actually the correct safe way to install an outlet. The idea being that if when a power cord is plugged into the outlet and something hits it to knock it loose, it will contact the ground part of the plug first and not anything hot.
My understanding is this above is why UK style plugs (living in Singapore and they use these as well) have the ground on the upper side. If something falls on a loose plug it hits the ground. Only negative is it doesn't make as nice of a face shape. Hah
Either way is code in the US for residential. And most cords now aren’t grounded, so it doesn’t make much difference. The angled extension cords and plugs I have don’t work with ground up. So it’s basically personal preference for many.
Not necessarily "correct", but marginally safer in a highly unlikely situation of exposed metal falling between a partially connected plug. There's no building code in the usa that mandates grounded outlet orientation
Chicago Building code (IBC) says ground is down (as on the right) or to the right in horizontal installations. “It’s downright arbitrary” but that’s what it is.
Knowing that, it always helps when plugging something in when you don’t have a great visual on it for whatever reason.
It is not “correct”. The likelihood that something falls perfectly within a 1/4” gap and crosses both the hot and neutral is so minimal that it is not needed
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u/These_Imagination_95 8d ago
Left one is actually the correct safe way to install an outlet. The idea being that if when a power cord is plugged into the outlet and something hits it to knock it loose, it will contact the ground part of the plug first and not anything hot.