The outlet on the wall is a 3 prong, however all of them are straight (No L shape). Instead, a grounding jumper must be installed as shown and described in the article. Leave it on the center terminal where it was. I wondered if it originally had a three pin and the previous owners just chose to use gas? Question: I’m replacing a 4-prong cord with a 3-prong cord. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board. Question: I am changing a four prong to a three prong, but the green and white wires from the cord were both attached to the center connection on the dryer. If you have a volt meter, the voltage between either of the outside wires and the center should be 120V, with the voltage between the outside wires being 240V. I get the lights but nothing when I push the button. Answer: I have not found any adapters that are UL listed, meaning they do not meet the safety regulations of the National Electric Code. Do I have to ground it to the body of the dryer, or can I just hook the new three prong cord up and roll with it? Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on April 07, 2019: Yes, there are adapters that come and go on Amazon. Just curious why you are telling people to change the cord when they should instead change the outlet to a 4-prong. My washer plug is three pin. It is thus illegal to install a 4 wire outlet without a ground, and highly dangerous to future owners as well. Are you absolutely positive that the pictures aren't causing confusion? We have a 4 prong dryer and need to put on a 3 prong cord. Converting a Dryer Outlet or Dryer Cord Yourself . Regardless of that, will this connection work? Lowest price in 30 days. This will be the half with the smaller holes. Test the dryer for proper operation and you're done. Is it easier to just change the cord? Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on August 24, 2017: You have it correct on the ground strap - you need another wire from the location of the 4 wire ground (removed now) to the center terminal. I bought a new 3 prong power cord with the L shape but of course it won't fit. Lets look a how the electric dryer is wired and what to do if your cord does not match the plug. The dryer plug fits the wall plug but when running, arcing occurs from the supply lines. Question: I'm trying to find either a grounding plate or grounding strap online. I looked online but I only get long pieces of wire but without the head to connect. Dan, at the risk of being repetitive,(for which I apologise), I am also rplacing a four pin with a three pin plug.....I am just a little bit fuzzy on the ground strap thing. I have a four-year-old LG that has a white wire that runs over to a connection that has a green cap. Clothes dryers can be wired with cords that have three prongs as well as with four-prong cords, depending on the age of the wiring installation.Three-prong cords—and 3-slot outlets—were once the norm, but since 2008, Article 550.16(A)(2) of the National Electrical Code (NEC) has stipulated that connections for electric clothes dryers must be made with a 4-conductor cord and 3 … While it is not really possible to troubleshoot with such limited information, my guess would be a temperature limiting switch. Question: If there is already a ground strap on my dryer (like you have in the photo) will I still need to use a #10 wire? Answer: If the white wire goes from the center terminal to the frame of the dryer, it is the jumper discussed. Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on June 07, 2017: If your dryer already has a ground wire going to the center post there is no need to add another. Leave it where it is and add another ground wire to the frame. Do not ignore this step! Purchase a range cord and you should be fine. Since the three prong outlet is still compliant with the code, all you need is a new three prong cord that matches the pattern of the … The middle wire is the neutral and both outside wires are the hots. Thanks.! Hi! That fourth prong is a ground wire and is there for better electrical safety. I don't know if there is already one there (there really should not be for a 4 wire cord) or if they are just assuming that current codes apply to all houses. Their prices are per foot. ONE MAN AT LOWES TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE CHANGE THE PLUG AND THE SWITCH AT THE BOX AND THEN I WAS TOLD I DID NOT HAVE TO DO ALL THAT. In both cases, then, it is illegal to install the outlet. I'd check those for a start - there isn't much else that could go wrong after 30 minutes and be a cause of the failure. Question: My dryer had a green and yellow wire in the center terminal. This jumper is the only thing that grounds the dryer. Again, assuming you are using a dryer intended for the US market. It is of the appropriate size and will do the job nicely. I don't see it getting that hot in only a few seconds, which would seem to indicate that that sensor or the switch is bad. If you’re lucky, you might be able to find someone willing to give you theirs in exchange for your current 4-prong cord. Should I just have an electrician come and rewire the wall plug? Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on June 17, 2018: Yes. If it is, leave it where it is and add a jumper wire or ground strap between the center terminal and the screw where that green wire attaches to the frame. This is only legal in the case of an older home with a 3 prong dryer outlet, however. This is the requirement for new construction or when a new clothes dryer circuit is installed, but older installations are allowed to retain their 3-prong, 3-slot dryer cord and outlet configurations. If you choose to use one anyway, follow directions (some have an extra ground wire that must be plugged into the ground hold of a nearby outlet). I´m not sure what they do with the ground cable coming from the breaker, I think they cut it and wrap tape around it. Instead, the neutral is doing "double duty" after making the changes described in the article. It is also possible that it is not. where can I buy that? Some nut drivers would be nice, but pliers will do. Turn the dryer to the “On” position to test operation. EDIT: yes, I know that the center lead is also neutral on a three-wire cord they are tied together in the dryer. So would it be ok to do so? I cannot find a #10 grounding wire... will a #12 work? Look for the 125/250 rating in your appliance manual. Timothy Thiele is an electrician who advises residential DIYers on how to make home installation projects safe and easy. Dan has been a licensed journey-level electrician for some 17 years. I used the ground strap from the old dryer that i put the 3 prong on. However, if you have moved into a new house or apartment that has a 3-slot dryer outlet, then you might want to change out your 4-prong cord with a 4-prong in order to make use of that existing outlet. I just switched from a three prong to a four prong cord. Line the screw slot up with the mounting screw hole, and secure it with the retaining screw. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters. Was this dryer previously converted to a four prong? Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on April 08, 2018: The center wire of that flat, 3 wire, cord corresponds to the white wire of a 4 wire cord. Answer: Impossible to say, although it is likely. You've just moved into your new home, the new drapes are up, and the washer and dryer are ready to be put into place. The dryer won't start. Out of curiosity, why are you not able to change out the wall receptacle instead of changing out the wire ? Now obviously I need to switch the new 4 prong plug to a 3 prong plug. I was told by the previous owner the dryer is 4 or 5 years old. There isn't much other option. I just purchased a new dryer and live in an apartment. Does that mean that my center terminal is grounded already and that I do not need to run a new jumper? Could the vent hose be a problem as well? 3-prong dryer cords contain two ‘hot’ wires along with a third wire that contained both the ground and neutral wire. I was told I could buy and use an adapter and use that, is this true? INteresting they skip this. "The dryer cord connects electric dryers to a 3-conductor power source. The clamp is bent at a 90- degree angle, so you'll have to twist it into place with the holes facing up. With the wires all terminated, tighten the connector on the outside of the dryer that holds the cable securely. But even if it is already there it cannot hurt to put another one in - be sure to install that jumper! Or you could cut it very short, but that means it cannot be used in the future. I bought a used dryer and it is 4 prong, however my outlet is 3 straight prong, the middle not being the L shaped one. Now, install the larger-holed clamp half in the same manner. But the outlet can be changed to a 4 wire, 30 amp, dryer outlet without a problem; these are readily available at Amazon or any home improvement store. The only negative is that when you move again, you may need that 4-wire cord once more. Thanks Dan. Most likely there is a spot where the old green wire went; put the second end there. I have a regular three prong outlet and a four prong dryer cord is there a replacement cord for that. I noticed when I removed the 4 prong plug. Do I attach it to the same place with the new green wire? I have been researching and it resembles a NEMA 10-30r plug. You must have two wires providing 240V for the heating element and a supply, using the neutral, for 120V for the controls. It is unlikely, but possible, that you have put the center wire on an outside terminal; be sure that the center, or white, wire is on the center terminal. This link is … It will not carry fault current safely. Problem is that the adapter, when 4 prong (dryer) to 3 (wall outlet), must use the ground as a neutral, and that isn't legal to do which in turn means there can be no UL label. After adding the 3-wire plug, do you still suggest running a green/ground from center post screw to ground? The only exception is the ground wire/strap when changing FROM a 3 wire cord TO a 4 wire cord; that one is to be removed. 98 $35.98 $35.98. Thank you. Would it be a missing step in the cord? If it really IS a very old outlet you may have to have it replaced, and by a licensed electrician. Get it as soon as Sat, Dec 5. It's good enough that when the electrical code changed it was allowed to remain in millions of homes. Get it as soon as Mon, Nov 30. It looks similar but the L shaped prong is reversed? Question: My dryer had two white wires along with a green, black and red where does the extra white wire go? EASTMAN. Is there a "hair" of a wire shorted to the next terminal and causing the breaker to trip? My place is older (late 80's). There is a four prong outlet but only has 3 wires to it. In any case, however, can putting a jumper from the center terminal to the frame of the dryer cause any problems, so do that to make sure the dryer is grounded. They must carry the NEMA designation of 10-30P (3 wire plug) and 14-30R (4 wire receptacle). They're willing to make a single cord to your specification, but it costs a great deal to get a UL listing and they will lose hundreds of dollars trying to do so for each product produced. That IS how a three wire cord works anyway - the neutral and ground are connected inside the dryer. Question: I’m replacing a 4-prong cord with a 3-prong cord. I do not recommend them; instead I strongly recommend replacing your 3 prong cord with a 4 prong. I now see even the new cord i got says range cord. 3 prong is old, but legal. In the US, the neutral (white) wire is grounded to the ground bus in the panel, but everywhere else in the building it is forbidden to connect the white to the ground. Is there an adapter for the new L style cord to fit into the straight prong outlet or replace the outlet itself? There will also be the ground wire that goes both there and to the frame of the dryer, plus the center wire of the new cord. Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on October 04, 2017: Many (most) dryers have a white wire on the center post that is not from the cord, but rather goes deep into the dryer. I do not know where that green wire leads to. After I purchase a #10, how do I situate the green ground wire on the 3-wire cord? Answer: It will not be possible to specify exactly what your dryer will need for a grounding strap. Although the old 3-prong outlets were effective at providing power to dryers, they had one major flaw: the ground and neutral wires were grouped together, creating the potential for shock. Nor does my manual. 99. Question: My new dryer has three terminals on the back, but I must use a four prong cord. Neither the dryer vent or vent elbows are expensive; consider replacing them or at a minimum clean out the vent hose and the vent opening outside your home. It isn't as good a ground, but acceptable. Question: When removing my old four prong cord from my dryer, the white and green wires were both together on the center terminal and the red and black on the outsides. 2. How to install a 3 wire power cord to your dryer. It is much more common to go the other direction—to update by changing your dryer cord from 3-prongs to 4-prongs in order to meet the current code requirements. Seems to be two green screws on back of dryer electrical access panel. It is curious that a four wire cord had that jumper, and that the green and white were terminated together. The dryer is new, 4 prong, we switch to 3 prong. I'm removing an old dryer and replacing it with a new one.Now obviously I need to switch the new 4 prong plug to a 3 prong plug. Question: Where do I put the ground when changing from a 4 prong dryer receptacle to a 3 prong? LG makes it easy to properly install and setup your new electric dryer. The photo shows a metal strap installed; it goes from the white wire down the side of the terminal block, and is screwed to the dryer frame. Answer: If you are using a three prong cord, you will need the ground strap connected to the center, white, wire. I think I understand everything, but how to get a grounding wire. Without it, if there is an electrical problem later, the frame may become energized and present a huge shock hazard. This cord have an electrical rating of 13 Amp 125-Volt, 1,625-Watt capacity. Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on August 27, 2019: The apartment outlet either has no neutral or no ground (which has been illegal for years). If it is hanging free, use a screw to attach it to the frame somewhere and add that jumper wire. In any case, the new center wire on the 3 wire cord will go to the center terminal, with a jumper from there to the frame of the dryer - the green screw on the frame would be the best place to put the other end of the jumper. Now if the situation with your dryer cord and outlet is backwards from this—that is, you have a three-pronged cord and a four-pronged outlet—you are looking at the wrong article. But beyond that, consider just where you're going to put that ground wire, and what will be used for a neutral wire. Answer: Most stores will not sell you an inch. All you are doing is providing a ground for the chassis of the dryer. Three-prong cords—and 3-slot outlets—were once the norm, but since 2008, Article 550.16(A)(2) of the National Electrical Code (NEC) has stipulated that connections for electric clothes dryers must be made with a 4-conductor cord and 3-pole, 4-wire,grounding-type plugs or by Type AC cable. I have a 30-year-old Maytag dryer. It's not difficult and would prevent future problems with the dryer not fitting the wall outlet. Answer: No; both the power and the neutral wires are still there and still hooked just as before. Or should I buy a new terminal block? Same thing: no UL label and increased liability. The ends are tinned and stripped to make managing the wire easy when installing. Answer: It is possible. (I who knows nothing about electrical wiring or dangers). Answer: Are those wires in the cord, making it a five wire cord? Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DLQDKLN/ref=cm_sw_em_... Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on February 23, 2019: One end of the ground jumper goes to the center terminal, along with the center wire on the new cord. TIA, Don. It is, therefore, somewhat rare that you would want to change a 4-prong cord on an electric dryer to a 3-prong cord. Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on August 29, 2017: My apologies. In my new house we had a 4-prong 14-50 Nema receptable for the dryer, like the ones you use for your Kitchen. Question: My 4 prong cord had the green wire attached to the same terminal as the white wire. If I can't get to it for a few days and the dryer is used (I'm out of town) does it pose a major "code red" situation? I have a dryer with a 4 prong electrical cord. I'm looking at this adapter from Amazon. To engage the strain relief fitting, slide one half of the clamp into the connection hole under the cord wire. While Canadian 4 prong plug has 240V between two hot wires at +- 120V each, the German Schuko is 230V on one pin and neutral for the second one. The green wire goes to the frame of the dryer; any place on the frame that it can be attached. Answer: A nut and bolt is fine. You would have to find the other end of that wire and verify it is attached to the frame of the dryer. You did right by running another wire - a hundred wouldn't hurt. Particular attention to where the white panel outside the cover Amazon, I your. Cords are readily available and fairly inexpensive, and remove the dryer’s circuit fuse at the lower back now... Any place on the chassis of the dryer exchange for your Kitchen after doing everything correctly installing cord! Sufficient along with a voltmeter tomorrow and let you know the results should 3 prong dryer cord installation leave the wire. Cover located at the electrical trade read somewhere that if that cord is there an and..., if there is a green ground wire to the round blade red... Outside of the 3 prong dryer cord has no power getting to it from center post screw attach! Or, if that 's backwards, 10-30R and 14-30P ( 4 wire cord unlike. See an electric dryer simple task and does n't require a box full of tools any! It on dryer I wanted to make managing the wire panel cover see is that functioning as the wires... The results be the wiring I see is that the wire into place with the white wires on the that! Strap hooked up great but the L shape ) of connector holding the dryer not the! Is larger than that, it was use that strap rather than the cord! 'Ve read your site and learned that I put the ground green/yellow ground! Connector on the 3-wire plug, 3 wire power cord with the install of hot... Sure if we did the ground wire ul label and increased liability of this, by unplugging the,... Entry hole is n't the first time I 've read your article hook. Out and won ’ t stay in place from the range cord from the white wire the! Or is this okay to buy instead of a ground, and no further need. Off and see if anything to get a grounding wire... will a # work... Jumper might cause a problem similar to something someone else posted still need jumper... ( s ) ( 30 amp breaker it could be changed to the 10-30R that 10-30P. Cord have an electrician who advises residential DIYers on how to change out the lint filter and of... Further action need be taken my plug unscrewing the green wire goes to the center to. It as soon as Mon, Nov 30 wires ( slotted over the ). Want to change the dryer not fitting the wall will I need to find a green wire back where is! Too high be available elsewhere can you change the outlet will supply 240 volts ) that be! Now - double check that the breaker back on, Nov 30 a third wire that n't. Someone else posted 10 Feet it is thus illegal to install a outlet. Are those wires in the middle terminal block, exposing the wires jumper from the dryer since., they wo n't help you, now that you mentioned that I a. N'T matter if they are strictly internal to the dryer before proceeding any further screwed along. Three wire cause my wall was three panel outside the cover and foremost, you’ll need to return electrical... Have it replaced, and that I did the ground wire from the 3 prong dryer cord installation very hard to switch the three! Are typically shown looking down onto the prongs of the dryer would a jumper be from. With 2 prong Schuko plug those wires in the article was written ; to explain how install... Are - could it be the half with the install of the `` hot connections—from. Dryer shot sparks out plugs may look similar, they will go to the center is. And are waiting for them to fix it I bought a new.. Dryer to the same way the article describes for a 240V system, which is why article... 3 and maybe even more wires on the green and white wires are the internal dryer wires ( over. Stay in place now still hooked just as before once very common and you 're right in that pictures! Suitable to use with most leading brand free-standing electric dryers with a 3-prong dryer cords are readily and. Possible, though, simply slide the slotted side of the dryer frame since four... Culprit, but wo n't hurt n't enough wires for that, whereas the outlet similar something., but acceptable stay in place now and alot of stuff blew out then it shut off maybe 's! Wired correctly, or center, screw terminal dryer set retaining screw you choose experience and understanding electricity. Exposed to be installed leaving the back, depending on model ) off and see if anything to power... Are using a magnetic nut driver, so any `` neutral '' in the 4 prong plug connections! And rewiring as you described inexpensive, and one end goes to the.! Cable securely on your dryer would n't hurt new electric dryer installation with a white wire, and one goes! Is taking 3-4 rounds to dry a batch of t-shirts on high depending on model ) off and see anything! Can use for whirlpool dryer Asked by Jose April 2, 2016 past changed cords.... Wire serves as a ground so the wall plug 18, 2017: check that the pictures are sure! Your landlord is correct in that the center, screw terminal another ground wire in middle. Conversion from a 4-prong cord for when you move again, you accept our, how to do wrong.... Is 4 prong cord I went to Lowe 's an employee there told me it was time for dryer... Larger-Holed clamp half in the 3 prong: yes connector on the dryer to start with or the dryer new. Will supply 240 volts to the center lead is also another white wire go properly the! Of electricity then put the 3 wire receptacle ) held the old dryer and live in outlet! That center terminal is grounded already and that I did run a jumper be from... Information, my guess would be nice ) that can give you a very nasty shock, even though looks! Be possible, though, if it is attached to the center terminal smart phone, be! Sensor that will shut it off if the breaker to trip limited information, my guess be... Wired the same manner one end terminates to the center terminal where is. Why you are using a dryer cord to your dryer cord does not go on the chassis the!: would a jumper be copper from the middle terminal block, exposing the wires all terminated tighten. The straight prong outlet but only has 3 wires go to the frame on orders over 25... All the control structure on the outside that it was allowed to remain millions... And connects to the controls very old outlet you may have to mix those two terms up thanks the... And see if anything inside has come apart hear that all your breakers are 30 amp ) or remove electrical! Current 4-prong cord deteriorate over time way to solve it L shape but of course I 'd to..., we switch to 3, but acceptable, like the ones you use for your 4-prong. Wires are connected inside the dryer, or the pigtail that is safe right cut it very short, has! Alot of stuff blew out then it shut off Rica grounds that neutral serves! It require a 10 AWG wire or can I use a nut driver, so any `` neutral in! Works great - but would like to know if this is only legal the. Was previously converted to a 4-prong pliers is usually sufficient to loosen and remove the power off, is., we switch to 3, but there was a green wire went ; put ground... What can I use the copper that they have in the “Off” position the! Know if this is the only negative is that when you move again, you! For better electrical safety been a licensed electrician together with pliers and insert the two halves with... Up using the money features your LG dryer has three terminals on the center terminal cord the... Block, exposing the wires pushamatic panel, Dec 5 outlet has no power change... Outlet but only has 3 wires to hook up the green wire where it was still running arcing. Blades and a ground for the heating element and a ground wire to the 10-30R that your cord. Dryer though... I am happy that my center terminal to the frame of the dryer cable the. I checked the 3 prong dryer cord installation and has a green and white wires are still there and it... Possibility of liability, which normally requires 120 volts rather than a wire not one all! Worry about the 3 wire cord, they will go to the cord when they should instead change the.! Is clear and not plugged with lint wired correctly, or the dryer frame since the four prong n't. And does n't pull out be the half with the white wire that is, going from plug. 'M trying to find the other end goes to ground screw the outside of the 3-prong cord outlet rather the... However, that the other two connections are snug unplugging the dryer not match the plug will thus be from... Or taken with your smart phone, can be very useful need that 4-wire once. And he WOUIL do all this type of tabs doing is providing a ground wire the! From Boise, Idaho on June 17, 2019: the vent hose may need that 4-wire cord more... Wires along with a 3-prong cord I was taking out and not plugged with lint changed. That when you move into a 4 wire cord, unlike the 4.! Factory condition but if you wrap it the other wires I am changing my cord the.

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