I have a used dryer with a 4 prong cord, but my outlet is a 3 prong outlet. What do I do with the extra ground wire on my dryer?
2006-07-18 12:19:17 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
thanks for the answers. However what do I do with the extra ground wire?
2006-07-19 01:37:47 · update #1
While new installations need a 4 prong outlet, you do not need that if your existing outlet is 3 prong. As others have said, get a 3 prong dryer cord to hook to the dryer. With the 4 prong cord, the ground wire connects to the frame. With the 3 wire cord, you need to connect the frame to the white (neutral) wire. There may be a strap in the dryer that can be used to do it.
2006-07-20 05:00:18 · answer #1 · answered by An electrical engineer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, you don't have to do anything different to the outlet. You can go to any hardware store and purchase a new chord for the dryer. You can ask someone working but usually it's "one size fits all". I just bought a chord for my stove and it was 8 bucks.
It's easy to switch them. Make sure the dryer is unplugged from the wall. Then unscrew the chord panel from the dryer (it's usually in back--it'll be a cover where it looks like the chord comes out of). Unplug that and you'll find three or four "things" screwed into the dryer. Unscrew those and screw the new chord into it (the new chord will match on that end the old one--the only difference will be the 3 or 4 prongs).
There are instructions on the bag of the new chord and it'll take 30 seconds to switch them out!!
2006-07-18 12:28:51 · answer #2 · answered by Adoption P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can change the cord easily enough. But you should know that newer codes REQUIRE 4 wire installations. This is because the motor that turns the drum is 110v. 110v requires a neutral (or grounded conductor) Notice that I said "grounded", not "grounding". Electrical codes now require that the neutral (grounded) and the ground (grounding) wire be separate conductors. This is for YOUR safety so that you are not a part of this circuit when you come into contact with the metal exterior of the appliance that potentially will malfunction electrically. Replacing the cord will have no effect on how your appliance runs, but it will put you in a position of having no clear path for grounding should there ever be a problem with your machine. You could conceivably become the ground path and discover what it feels like to become an active part of the circuit...in other words, you could get a good shock!
2006-07-18 16:36:45 · answer #3 · answered by michaeluptergrove 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can buy an adapter for under 5 bucks at a local hardware store so you can make your 3 prong plug in a 4 prong good luck, just check at your local hardware store
2006-07-18 12:51:00 · answer #4 · answered by mistyriver69 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to any hardware store and buy a 3 prong cord. its real easy to change just follow your old cord just a few screws to undo. simple
2006-07-18 12:22:59 · answer #5 · answered by garrett1080 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All the answers are good ones however make sure the red and black wires are placed properly with the white acting as the neutral. Do not mix them up
2006-07-18 15:50:27 · answer #6 · answered by egotist61 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What Garret said.
It's a very easy change...been there, done that.
2006-07-18 12:26:18 · answer #7 · answered by Tyrone Shoelaces 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋