Just how do I connect a dryer with a four prong connect to a three prong outlet?

I only moved residence and my garments dryer keeps a four prong plug but on the wall absolutely a three prong outlet. Perform adapters occur because of this? Or carry out I need to become a fresh cord for my dryer? Or perhaps is here another answer?

6 Responses 6

You might replace the wire on the dryer, you’d need to connect the framework in the dryer to create that acceptable to existing NEC codes (Article 250.140). This is a safety danger if finished wrongly, therefore may or may not invalidate the guarantee about dryer.

As your dryer is initiated to use a 4 prong receptacle, the optimal remedy is always to update the receptacle to a 4 prong (NEMA 14-30R if I bear in mind properly). But this will need you to operated new cable on receptacle, due to the fact’ll need a cable with a ground. With respect to the draw of dryer together with period of the operate, might either need to extract brand-new 10-3 /w soil or 8-3 /w crushed cable tv.

As @TheEvilGreebo stated, you are in a position to simply change the actual cord in the dryer for a 3 prong type. Check the suppliers records to verify the procedure, and be sure that design supports this.

This schematic for an electric dryer might help you recognize the way the dryer could possibly be wired (dependent on make/model/manufacture go out).

the easiest move to make will be replace the socket, line a new outlet in, assuming both use the exact same type of wire (typically 10-3). your flip the routine down when you do it, obviously. easier than seeking an adapter (and most likely better)

Dryer wires are designed to be replaced. It’s seemingly even typical in order for them to deliver without a cable to enable you to download the appropriate cable for the socket. Houses built before 1996 usually want a 3-wire cable with a NEMA 10-30 connector. Homes developed after 1996 (during the US) normally have a NEMA 14-30 outlet, and certainly will require a 4-wire cord. (FWIW, a cord appears to run-around $11-$25 (since 2015), depending on just how long you need it and the place you purchase it.)

Whirlpool provides detail by detail wiring information to help you be certain that you’re wiring it properly. Some other manufacturers will more than likely need comparable instructions.

Residence Depot has some generic wires instructions. Despite visitors here, they advise perhaps not updating the socket to NEMA 14 yourself, but having an authorized electrician exercise in the event that’s how you want to go.

Creating a separate crushed feels like a good option in the beginning, but if your dryer is similar to my own, it’s not going to make many variation. Mine came with a 4-wire cord, but crushed and basic were wired with the exact same terminal internally. I very first believed that got crazy, however it is consistent with the installment directions (even though it can be done to keep them separate). Very, according to your own dryer, you may not become an independent soil despite a 14-30 connector.

For folks who say this can’t be completed it is also possible that eventually the wiring may be setup for a 220v thirty amp system, after which down rated to a 120v 20 amp circuit. See just what cable can be found in the container after assuring there is no power. If you possess the heavy cable when you look at the right variety, you lucked around.

There are two main choices.

1) You either need to update the socket in the wall structure to a 4-prong and also the wiring that operates to it from breaker panel. 4-prong channels posses two hot wires, a neutral, and ground.

otherwise

2) your download a 3-prong connect on your dryer.

The least expensive solution is to exchange the connect throughout the dryer. 4-prong plug is the existing requirement, when you manage upgrade the retailer, you’ll be arranged for potential future.

MODIFIED for clarification:

The 3 prong connect has actually two hot feet the two shuttle voltages to include doing 220 volts, plus a simple wire. Just before 1998 the natural has also been grounded on dryer circumstances. A four prong plug has got the two shuttle relationships, a ground, and a neutral return. Frequently these are typically put in the event that dryer circuit needs 120 volts at some point, the existing would move from shuttle and return through the simple. If you decided to vary from a four prong to a three prong and your dryer is made to use 120 volts at some point, then that latest must be came back on the floor leg. That isn’t acceptable by NEC code, neither is it safe. If 120 Volt routine happened to be to short, the entire 120 volt possibilities maybe present on dryer situation! Imagine touching the dryer during those times, and perhaps on a wet floor!

As much as possible figure out that dryer does not require 120 volts, and therefore no up-to-date is returned on a simple leg, then I read no reason at all never to make use of the three prong (although how does they have a basic knee at all?). I’d BEST perform the sales if it’s recomended from the make. With todays economic climate Really don’t believe a manufacture would go right to the cost of a four prong plug when it was not requisite.

The conversion process packages pointed out by rest is to convert from a three prong dryer to a four prong receptacle. This is certainly okay, getting the natural wire just isn’t utilized.