2006-08-10 12:57:32 · 7 answers · asked by bruceemasters 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I don't see why not. I've never seen a dryer with four wires. (I haven't seen newer dryers, nor studied their circuitry) Normally, on the older ones that I'm familiar with, it's two power leads and the ground... red, black and green, I believe. Maybe yours has a white for the fourth? All the dryers I've seen operate on 220/240 (basically 110/120 x 2) with a single ground to the chassis. White, if used, would be neutral which is usually at the same potential as ground, but not necessarily connected together at the breaker box. It's possible that your dryer has a special 110/120 volt circuit that needs that neutral in which case, if the neutral is not connected to ground at the breaker panel, that 110/120 v circuit may not function properly. I wish I could see where the wire terminations are in the dryer... that might tell me if all four wires are used and if there's a separate 110/120 v circuit for control purposes or something. Sorry I'm not more help, but like I said, all the dryers I've seen use three wires.
2006-08-10 13:19:20 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. Peachy® 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
As others have said, if you are moving to an older place that has a 3 wire receptacle, you can change the 4 wire cord on your dryer to a 3 wire cord. It is very important that the frame is connected to the white wire in the dryer when you change the cord (it is connected to the green wire and isolated from the white in a 4 wire cord).
Another answer said the 3 connections for a dryer are 2 hots and ground (green). This is not true, it is 2 hots and a neutral (white). The frame happens to be grounded by connection to the neutral. This is not the safest, so all new construction uses the 4 wire connection.
You can NOT change a 4 wire receptacle to 3 wire. You can not "move" a 3 wire receptacle. This is by the national electrical code.
2006-08-11 02:52:08 · answer #2 · answered by An electrical engineer 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a four wire hook up is used in trailer house's and other buildings where ground and neutral are not the same connection. If you have an older home you can use the three wire cord but you need to make sure the center neutral connection also has a jumper wire or strap to the cabinet ground. Which is were the fourth green wire was hooked from the four conductor cord. If this center connection is not also hooked to the cabinet you have no shock protection if something goes wrong. If you have a four wire system in your house and you use a three wire hook up it is possible to get a shock from your dryer.
2006-08-10 15:50:16 · answer #3 · answered by michael d 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
CHECK YOUR CODES!! I know that in my state, modulars, apartments, condo's and all new construction is required to have a four wire pigtail and outlet. It may be easier to change the outlet but make sure you have the power off! (110 volts hurt, 220 kill), Make sure the pigtail is a 30 amp cord while your at it.
2006-08-10 16:11:46 · answer #4 · answered by NorthernRC 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
YES....be cool and strut into dryer section and tell them you want to buy a PIG TAIL for you dryer. They will be impressed i guarantee it.
2006-08-10 13:06:25 · answer #5 · answered by max 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm assuming you moved to a new place that has a different outlet. the answer is yes, they make both kinds to be interchangeable, there should be someone at the store to show you how to do it safely and confidently.
good luck.
2006-08-10 13:04:01 · answer #6 · answered by 13 ths LINDA S 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It may be easier to change the receptical.
(the thing in the wall it plugs into.)
2006-08-10 13:49:59 · answer #7 · answered by Mr. KnowItAll 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋