I just bought a dryer that has a 4 prong plus but my outlet in the wall is a three prong. How do i fix this?

Question

My house is old and has a 3 prong outlet for the dryer and unfortunately the dryer i just bought has a 4 prong switch. Do they make converters or something that I can hook up?

by 3 prong outlet, i think i mean 110. i'm not good with mechanical stuff so thats why i'm wondering if there is a converter i can stick into it.

note: i bought this dryer from a friend, not a store.

Answer 1

Do not listen to the people who tell you you have 110v. I know they meant well. I know they probably thought you meant an apartment style dryer that just plugs into a regular wall socket. Also DO NOT just cut off one of the prongs. Geez!!!

All dryers prior to a couple of years ago came with 3-prong cords. It used to be that you needed to change to a 4 prong if you lived in a manufactured home. Now the NEC has acknowledged this is a superior grounding system so all new construction now uses 4 prong outlets and the dryers come with 4 prong chords.

Just go down to your favorite hardware store and buy a 3 prong cord. When you take the cover off of the back of the dryer, NOTE how the existing chord is connected then connect your new 3 prong to the same posts as you saw the existing chord come with. Red=110v Black=110V and White goes to neutral. Be sure that the power is off when you go to plug into the receptacle. The blades (prongs) of the cord are long and it is possible that you could get a nasty shock if you ground yourself out while plugging the cord into the receptacle.

Answer 2

If 3 prong means the same as most of the normal outlets in your house, then it is 120V. That would be intended for a gas dryer. I assume you really mean a 3 prong outlet that is much larger than normal outlets in your house. In that case the simple thing is to replace the cord on the dryer. Changing the outlet would require running new wire to the breaker panel.

Appliance stores and places like Home depot will have 3 wire dryer cords. You must connect the frame of the dryer to the neutral (white wire). Get an electrician to change the cord if you aren't comfortable with electrical work.

Answer 3

They usually sell different cords, check with the place you bought the dryer from. If not there then Lowes/Home Depot carries them.

[edit]
eek, I hope you don't mean just a regular 110 outlet by that 3-prong statement.. this outlet should be considerably larger than the one you plug your toaster into. (Unless it's a gas dryer)

Answer 4

I ran into this some years ago. You should be able to buy a 4-pronged outlet at a hardware or building supply store. If you can't install it youself, get an electrician to put it in for you.

Answer 5

I'm not sure. I'd call a hardware store or visit one to see if they have converters. I'd think they would, as the have converters for 3-prong to 2-prong for "normal" electrical appliances.

Sorry I couldn't be more help.

Answer 6

purchase a 3 prong cord at any hardware store and replace the cord or have an electrician change the internal wiring to accept the 4 wire cord.

Answer 7

You need to get your outlet wired for 220 Volts. It's currently only wired for 110 volts. Dryers run on 220 V.

Answer 8

just go to your local hardware store like lowes or home depot and get a new cord. They seel them, and are easy to replace. Just take the back of the dryer off, and unscrew the screws that hold on the cord and change it out.

Answer 9

Either take the dryer back and get the correct kind for your house or call an electricial to come out and convert your socket.

Answer 10

just cut off one of the prongs