Outside Plugs

Bob Vaughn wrote:
Wrong answer....An internet search reveals that the ground pin should be up....

That's really a commercial code requirement and has nothing to do with strain on the cord. It's so nothing can fall across the hot and neutral blades of the plug. Been there, done that with a steel tape measure.

For whatever reason residential receptacles don't have that requirement and are installed with the ground pins down.

With regard to the original post, and as others have said, my guess is that the horizontal arrangement has to do with manufacturing convenience than anything else. Mine has a standard 15 amp receptacle, mounted sideways, with standard spring-loaded flip-up type covers. It wouldn't matter which way it was installed from a weather protection perspective. I don't see how it would add extra strain to the plug or cord.

wnjj wrote:
Horizontal mounting means the cover acts like an umbrella when something is plugged in.

Bingo! The RV exterior duplex receptacle covers are also split and slightly recessed so that they are somewhat protected from rain while you are driving, which IMO, is just as important, if not more so, than when you are stopped. Dirt/water forced inside the receptacle at 65 mph = not good.

If the horizontal receptacle really ruins your day, you can buy a single plug exterior receptacle with a weather proof cover if you want. IMO, if the manufacturers supplied it, people would probably complain that there aren't two exterior plugs provided.

Chum lee

mich800 wrote:

bukhrn wrote:

opnspaces wrote:
I think the OP is referring to the 120 volt outlets on the outside of the RV that are installed with a horizontal orientation.

Click For Full-Size Image.

I don't have an answer WHY, but I was beginning to think that I was the only one that understood what the OP was talking about.:S

That is what I thought also. But also why I am confused by the question as it makes no difference on how a cord hangs.

Wrong answer....An internet search reveals that the ground pin should be up....

CA Traveler wrote:

wnjj wrote:
Horizontal mounting means the cover acts like an umbrella when something is plugged in.

Yes and so does vertical mounting with a cover since those covers are also hinged at the top.

I don't have any strain orientation concerns for a 20A plug. 30/50A yes if the ground is not on the top.

Ours is like this one where they are individually hinged along the long side as are all of the ones that show up in Google image search. Having a hinge on the short side would be flimsier.

At home I installed bubble covers where you can move the hinge as needed but those wouldn't be road worthy.

bukhrn wrote:

opnspaces wrote:
I think the OP is referring to the 120 volt outlets on the outside of the RV that are installed with a horizontal orientation.

Click For Full-Size Image.

I don't have an answer WHY, but I was beginning to think that I was the only one that understood what the OP was talking about.:S

That is what I thought also. But also why I am confused by the question as it makes no difference on how a cord hangs.

Bob Vaughn wrote:
Is anyone beside me aggravated by the exterior plugs are horizontal ? It puts a strain on the cord of anything plugged into them. Why can't they be vertical like all the other receptacles?

The best solution is to move your lawn chair to where the "plug" is not in your field of view, then find something else to get aggravated about.

wnjj wrote:
Horizontal mounting means the cover acts like an umbrella when something is plugged in.

Yes and so does vertical mounting with a cover since those covers are also hinged at the top.

I don't have any strain orientation concerns for a 20A plug. 30/50A yes if the ground is not on the top.

opnspaces wrote:
I think the OP is referring to the 120 volt outlets on the outside of the RV that are installed with a horizontal orientation.

Click For Full-Size Image.

I don't have an answer WHY, but I was beginning to think that I was the only one that understood what the OP was talking about.:S

Well, now there's an explanation that makes sense, but of course the strain on the plug is the same whether it's vertical or horizontal.

Horizontal mounting means the cover acts like an umbrella when something is plugged in.