Apparently the National Electric Code does not specify a correct ground position either up or down.

As others have said, either position as long as they all match. I would even go as far to say they can be different plug to plug, as long as the set of screws visible all match orientation.

I hate when someone over-tightens the crappy Chinese screws on a cover plate or a door knob assembly and raises a burr in the screw slot.
Then every time you use the knob or switch, that tiny burr takes a little chunk out of the skin on your finger.
When installing a door handle with a lock knob, I align the lock knob so horizontal is unlocked and vertical is locked.

I stop at the absolutely correct torque. All else is vanity.

Grounds down, otherwise some grounded devices would be upside-down.

Tighten the screw until it cracks the cover plate, then back it off a quarter turn.

quote:

Originally posted by shovelhead:
And clocking screws has never crossed my mind when installing a switch plate or plug cover.

What crazy chaos land is this?!?!

I never paid any attention. I just put it on till it is snug then stop there. On a plastic cover plate how can you get the screws exactly clocked or why do you care? Metal plates have more leeway but still, why bother?

Mine are aligned to the orientation of the plate cover.

quote:

Originally posted by Joe 5632:

Tighten the screw until it cracks the cover plate, then back it off a quarter turn.

Best answer.

Vertical for screws

Ground down for residential, especially for wall hugger style plugs on appliances.

Ground up for commercial with metal plates, otherwise down for plastic plates because this what most people are used to seeing at home.

quote:

Originally posted by Joe 5632:
Tighten the screw until it cracks the cover plate, then back it off a quarter turn.

quote:

Originally posted by sig2392:
I was told by my electrician that it is ground down except for a switched outlet.

A switched outlet is ground up so you can tell the difference at a glance.

I think this is an interesting idea.

As for plate screws, I prefer vertical.

I would NEVER have imagined that people actually think about clocking screws on a wall plate. Or on anything else for that matter.

quote:

Originally posted by Expert308:
I would NEVER have imagined that people actually think about clocking screws on a wall plate. Or on anything else for that matter.

That's the same people that correct other people for saying "clip" and still believe in 3000 mile oil changes ...

Vertical!

quote:

Originally posted by Expert308:
.... people actually think about clocking screws on a wall plate.....

That's really the point. People aren't thinking about it. They are just doing it because, well, it's what keeps the world in order and balance!

If I ever run into anyone "Clocking" screws or other OCD mannerisms, I am bringing them a pizza to calm their nerves.

I torque the fasteners to yield, to ensure proper clamping force between the cover plate and the housing, using a calibrated torque wrench, with traceable calibration to NIST. I also bake the fasteners in a nitrogen-blanketed oven overnight before installing them, to eliminate hydrogen embrittlement in the steel.

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
I torque the fasteners to yield, to ensure proper clamping force between the cover plate and the housing, using a calibrated torque wrench, with traceable calibration to NIST. I also bake the fasteners in a nitrogen-blanketed oven overnight before installing them, to eliminate hydrogen embrittlement in the steel.

At other people's homes, I ask to use the bathroom and reclock all available
screws to a 2 to 8 O'clock slant.
No one suspects the Leatherman tool om my belt.