Tamper-Resistant Receptacles
Tamper-resistant receptacles contain internal shutters designed to help prevent objects from being inserted into the slots unless a proper plug is being used.
These are commonly used in locations where additional protection against accidental insertion is required.
Their orientation can still vary.
GFCI Receptacles
Ground-fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI, receptacles are designed to help protect people from electric shock by monitoring the electrical current and interrupting power when a ground-fault condition is detected.
You may recognize them by their TEST and RESET buttons.
Again, the physical orientation of the receptacle isn’t what provides the GFCI protection.
The protective mechanism inside the device does.
Can You Just Turn an Outlet Upside Down Yourself?
Physically rotating a receptacle may sound like a simple little DIY project, but this is one of those jobs where it’s worth slowing down.
An electrical receptacle is connected to the home’s wiring, and mistakes can result in electric shock, short circuits, equipment damage, or fire.
If you want receptacles in your home to have a particular orientation, have the work done according to your local electrical requirements by someone qualified to perform it.
And if an outlet is loose, cracked, warm, buzzing, sparking, discolored, or
