Can An Outdoor Container Be Placed With Its Back To The Wall?

Receptacles are not allowed to be installed face-up on countertops or work surfaces unless specified for such applications. However, they can be mounted horizontally with the face up, except in certain areas specified in the National Electrical Code (NEC). Ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection is required for all outdoor receptacles, with exceptions made for snow-melting or other conditions.

There are various ways to install an outdoor electrical outlet in your home, including tapping an indoor outlet for power and running power directly to an exterior outlet. If you want your exterior outlet without a convenient interior outlet, you will need to tap into another electrical circuit.

The 2020 NEC® adds a new code section that prohibits receptacles from being installed face-up under any sink. This can be done by installing a leaky sink or using an unfinished basement as an alternative outlet. The NEC and installation instructions do not specify an orientation for a receptacle device to be installed, but it is possible to install them horizontally.

In the United States, electrical plugs are typically installed upside down, but there is no right-side-up orientation. The NEC allows outlets to be installed with the ground plug hole facing up, down, or sideways, but there is no standard electric outlet orientation.