Should I change the dryer power cord or the outlet?
May 26, 2007 by Gypsy Girl | Posted in Do It Yourself (DIY)
I just now moved into a new house and the dryer outlet has 3 prongs. The power cord for my dryer has 4 prongs. I went to Home Depot to get a new power cord and I could only find 4 pronged cords. Why does my exit only have 3 prongs? And which one needs to be changed?
You could substitute eithier one , but changing the plug involves running a new wire , so you should just change the cord .
Older plugs didnt have a indeterminate wire before just 2 hots and a ground new outlets are required to have 4 wires but since the plug is already in place you dont have to depose it up to code , you should be able to find a 3 prong they still sell them , check another home store or electrical supply department store. You will find that the dryer is setup for a 4 wire so you have to change it back to a 3 wire setup. You will have to have a jumper wire from the the current neutral mishandle to the green ground screw on the shell of the dryer and then just put the ground from the new cord to the center screw in the dryer , then one hot to each outside tap.
Any ? you can email
brndnh721 | May 26, 2007
You perhaps won`t be able to find 3 pronged power cords. 4 pronged cords seem to be the new industry standard, so you`ll need to get an electrician to put in a new escape.
ropar | May 26, 2007
You could shift eithier one , but changing the plug involves running a new wire , so you should just change the cord .
Older plugs didnt have a indistinguishable wire before just 2 hots and a ground new outlets are required to have 4 wires but since the plug is already in place you dont have to do it up to code , you should be able to find a 3 prong they still sell them , check another home store or electrical supply collection. You will find that the dryer is setup for a 4 wire so you have to change it back to a 3 wire setup. You will have to have a jumper wire from the the current neutral make a mess of to the green ground screw on the shell of the dryer and then just put the ground from the new cord to the center screw in the dryer , then one hot to each outside summon.
Any ? you can email
brndnh721 | May 26, 2007
Only just get an adaptor, you can find them at most RV stores, it will plug into the 3 prong wall socket and allow you to plug your dryer into it.
Bill O | May 26, 2007
Things must be divers in your part of the world. I've never heard of a power cord with 4 prongs. Is your dryer a local make, or made overseas? Before changing anything I would check with intensity department. and get their advice. It doesn't pay to fool around with electricity. You might set yourself on fire. Take care!
wheeza7geeza | May 26, 2007
I would undertake you have a newer dryer and that 4 prong cord is very important it runs on a higher voltage... if you change the plug your drier wont labour properly... you have to get a new line put in as whats in the wall is not going to handle the usage of the drier a authoritative electrician will run thicker wire that can handle the voltage of the drier...
unikirin | May 26, 2007
3-prong are the "older" ones, your escape hatch is older than the dryer plug, you'll have to install a 4-prong outlet.
rhamm618 | May 26, 2007
Switch the cord young lady. The 4th wire will be green. Hook it to anything metal. You will will do a fine job. Good Luck.
Timemachine | May 26, 2007
WELL FROM WHAT IM SEEING IS???
U MITE Dire TO CHANGED THE OUTLET ON THE WALL FROM A 3 TO A 4..
NEWER HOUSES REQUIERS A 4
johnhershey2005 | May 26, 2007
Perfectly change the cord, Home Depot, Lowes, etc all sell them, Home Depot sells ones made by GE and some made by commercial charged. 4 prongs is the new industry standard, but the 3 prong are stilled allowed as long as it is existing. Installing a new clog will involve running new wiring etc, and in the end will cost you about 2 times as much, not counting the time and or electrician to do it.
rdwoelfe | May 27, 2007
I have a ground wire in the dryer power cord that wasn't used previously. Do I need to use it for grounding?
Aug 18, 2008 by gregtg703 | Posted in Maintenance & Repairs
My relief is a three prong outlet. Can I use the new dryer's ground strap or should I use the ground wire in the power cord? The previous owner cut the ground wire shorter than the other three so it was covered by the soft wrap around the cord and he used the ground strap on the old dryer.
Encrypt says that you need to use the ground pin in the power cord. That means a four prong outlet. The ground is there to prevent injury if a succinct circuit should develope in the dryer.
It is safer to do that. However, we went without that ground connection for many decades and very few people were injured. It is irresistible a chance, so it is your call.
Personally, I would put in the newer outlet, by running and additional wire for the ground. One reason for my pick is that I don't pay for labor. Another is that is is a selling point for the house. Finally, it is safer and if there is any question, you did it right.
DSM Handyman | Aug 18, 2008
How do I change a 4-prong dryer power cord to a 3-prong dryer power cord?
Jun 27, 2007 by n8delt11 | Posted in Do It Yourself (DIY)
necessary to know where to put the three prongs and then where to put the green wire that is actually attached to the dryer
Hot-Indeterminate-Hot
Neutral must have a bonding jumper to the frame.
Homosex Is Wrong | Jun 27, 2007
Ok, expression men just dropped off our new 
PowerImpact.com : Can I Use The Power Cord From My Old Dryer For A New One?