I have a 3 prong electric dryer, but the outlet is a 4 prong?

Question

I just moved into a new home and my electric dryer is a 3 prong
the outlet is a 4 prong. I need to know how to wire the 4 prong
wire to my dryer.

Answer 1

You cannot change the receptacle back to a 3-prong and, to my knowledge, they do not make an adapter that changes the dryer cord's 3-prong configuration to the receptacle's 4-prong configuration.

To change your dryer cord from a 3-wire to a 4-wire you first need to disconnect the old dryer cord, then disconnect the bonding jumper on your dryer.

The bonding jumper is either a metallic strap (typically copper or copperclad) or a green wire that is connected between your dryer's neutral (white wire) terminal and the green ground screw connected to your dryer's frame.

Removing this bonding jumper is an extremely important step when changing from a 3-wire to a 4-wire cord to prevent electrical shocks when touching anything metallic on your dryer.

To connect your new 4-wire cord, connect each wire to the dryer's terminal block matching color for color (white to white, black to black and red to red). Connect the green wire to the green ground screw on your dryer's frame.

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Edit: I went to Home Depot and I called Consolidated Electrical Distributors (CED) and Graybar Electric and they all said that there is not an adapter that converts the dryer's 3-prong configuration to the receptacles 4-prong configuration.

DO NOT take the advice of the people that are telling you to change your receptacle to a 3-prong. This is an NEC violation and is possibly illegal in your state. Most of the states have adopted the NEC into legislation. If you changed the receptacle to a 3-prong this would make you liable and leave you open to a law suit or void your homeowners insurance claim in the unfortunate event of a fire or electrocution.

Edit #2: To teabagme -
You are wrong and with an answer like that you shouldn't offer electrical advice. The 1999 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) first introduced the requirement for a separate ground wire for ranges and dryers. This is also in the 2002 edition as well as the current 2005 edition. Get a copy and read 250.140.

All dryer and range receptacles installed after 2000 are required to be the 4-wire type. This would require the 4-wire cord. All dryer and range receptacles installed before 2000 are the 3-wire type. If a 3-wire receptacle goes bad, you are permitted to install a new 3-wire receptacle. However, if the cable for the 3-wire receptacle goes bad or if you change the location, you are required to upgrade to the new and safer 4-wire type.

Dryers and ranges are not sold with a particular cord attached because of this requirement. When you purchase a new dryer, the appliance store will ask if you want a 3-wire or a 4-wire cord. Both cords are rated 250 volts and 30 amps as are all household electric dryers.

Answer 2

I am a journeyman electrician. You can use the wiring from the four prong (blade) outlet. That is the newer kind. Actually, it would be better and safer (and cheaper) to change the dryer cord to four blade. A new one can be gotten at Home Depot, Lowes, or an electrical supply store. Remove the sheet metal plate
(The dryer is unplugged) that covers the connections, and take the old cord off (don't drop nuts inside). The two outer screws on the connection block are hot, and gold colored, and the center is silver, the neutral wire. There will be a squeeze cord connector through the sheetmetal outside of the machine which needs to be on the new cord, just like on the old one. On the new cord there are 2
black wires or a red and black, they are the hots, and go on the outer, gold terminals. The white connects to the center, silver terminal. Tighten the nuts tight with the original washers in place, but snug, don't break the plastic.
There is a green wire left. If there is a green screw on the metal body of the dryer, it goes there. Otherwise you need one self tapping sheet metal screw and a hex bit, or take a drill and drill a small starter hole,
and thread it in. Back it out and put the green connector under it, it is the ground, which the code did not require before but now does, for safety, it gives a fault current another path. Put the sheet metal cover back. Turn off the breaker to the outlet, plug in the cord, turn the breaker back on, and dry.
I said to turn off the breaker on the very off chance that something got misconnected, for your safety,

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
I have a 3 prong electric dryer, but the outlet is a 4 prong?
I just moved into a new home and my electric dryer is a 3 pro

Answer 4

You need to buy an outlet adapter. On one side of the adapter there will be 3 holes for the dryer and on the other side there will be 4 prongs to fit into the 4 prong outlet.

You can purchase one at Walgreens, Home Depot... etc.

Answer 5

Lowes Electric Dryers

Answer 6

Electric Dryer Plug

Answer 7

CAN I PLUG A 3 PRONG INTO A 4 PRONG OUTLET FOR A DRYER?

Answer 8

Go to the store and buy a 3 prong adapter

Answer 9

The hardware store has a replacement cord kit for rewiring your dryer to a 4-prong (230V) plug.

Cost should be about $20. Be sure to ask the helpful hardware man if you have any questions.

Answer 10

Head over to the hardware store and get a three prong outlet.


Turn off the power. Remove the old outlet. Put the new one on, wiring the black wire to the gold screw, the white wire to the silver screw, and the ground wire to the green screw. Put the cover on. Turn the power on. Dry those clothes.