another dryer outlet question?

Question

hi,
i hope it's not annoying that this is my first post here. i searched all over, but couldn't find an answer to my question. i just bought a dryer. the outlet i was going to use is specifically supposed to work for a dryer, and it has 3 prongs, all straight. the plug on my dryer, however, has 3 prongs, and one is curved like an elbow, almost to 90 degress.

does anyone know how to solve this? i'm not great with electrical stuff, but i can try to figure out the voltage, etc, and post it here asap.

thank you!
kristen

one more detail- the odd prong is the third one, the one that typically would be plugged into the outlet alone, at the bottom.

thanks for the help so far.
i just saw the label on the outlet, and it says:

MEMA 10-50R
50A-125/250 V

does this help?

well, i've been told by my landlord it's supposed to be for a dryer, unless he's messed up. now i'm nervous!

can anyone confirm if the writing on the outlet makes it ok to do the switch with the dryer cable?

thanks, guys.

Answer 1

You need to wire for 220 volts. That's why the plug is incompatible. Call an electrician to do this. It must be wired directly to the service panel.

Answer 2

All dryer outlets are marked 30 amp. To plug your dryer in ,you have to have the 30 amp outlet. What you have there now is an outlet for a range. I am surprised that your new dryer came with a 3 prong cord. The code for electric dryers is now suppose to be 4 prong to meet code. It has 2 hot terminals 1 neutral terminal and 1 ground terminal. With all due respect, it sounds like someone with experience should be helping you. Good luck.

Answer 3

The outlet you have says 50A, which matches the description you gave (all straight blades). The dryer plug has an angled blade and is 30A. You have the wrong outlet. Tell the landlord he should have an electrician doing the work. Where I live it would be illegal for a landlord or rental property owner to do electrical work.

Edit: you asked about switching the dryer cable. NO! The outlet is what is wrong. The dryer outlet should be 30A not 50A.

Answer 4

both are 220 volts. changing the plug is a hassle but can be done safely by electrician wizard.[disclaimer]= this discourse is 4 consideration only & not application.
i have altered the curved plug so it fit. cut, hammer,grind so it fits.
i know the different configurations mean different amperages & it may blow a fuse,. if the plug reads a lower amperage than the outlet, i'd do it . if the plug reads higher than the outlet, i'd do it carefully & check heat of wire so not too hot after extended use.
you are playing with fire & i dont advise this at all, un less you know what youre doing.
call home depot electrical dept 4 assistance. an outlet for electric stove should safely handle a dryer

Answer 5

:) nope, youre not annoying, and youve provided some good information and a good description of your dilemma.

I am a bit surprised that everyone is telling you to change the cord on the dryer... me, I'd change the outlet.

First thing you want to do, is check the outlet's voltage. To do this you need a volt-meter, or a multi-meter. You can pick one up in any hardware store, or hardware/automotive departments in chain stores. Theyll run anywhere from $10 to $40. You dont need anything fancy, but I would go ahead and get a digital readout model....this removes the guesswork,and uncertainty of trying to read the "dial" types.

Plug the leads into the meter... red wire to red plug, black wire to black plug....turn the meter to testing for at least 220v... (mine goes up to 700v)...normally, you want to set the meter to test for more than the expected voltage... so, in my case, I would set my meter at 700v. Then, with the power on, insert one lead into one of the plug receptacles, and the other into that single receptacle. It should read about 110v... it may read as high as 119v, thats ok. Leaving that meter lead in the single receptacle, move the other lead to the opposite receptacle... it should also read 110v. That would indicate that you do have 2- 110v supply wires, with the one ground wire, which would give you 220v total power supply out of that receptacle. If you do not get 110 out of both of those slots... then the wire will have to be redone at the circuit panel. Assuming you do have 220v... then you need to goto the hardware store and get a plug to match your dryer cord. Just sketch on a piece of paper, what your cord plug looks like...and take the paper with you. There are usually a few different choices in 220 volt outlets. Pick the one that matches your plug, and when you get home, turn off the power to the outlet. Check it with the volt-meter, to make sure there is no power to the outlet. Then, you simply take the outlet apart, (one screw in the middle of those receptacles usually), and this gives you access to the wires in the outlet. Now, I would simply transfer the wires, from the old plug to the new one. Its not hard to do, just make sure the power is off, hehehe. When youre done, turn the power back on, and youre ready to go.

If you decide to replace the dryer cord, instead of the outlet, you would remove the small cover plate where the wires run into the back of the dryer, and replace the existing wires with the new cord. Black replaces black, red replaces red, etc...

Im providing some links for you...

Have Fun!

Answer 6

I was just going to mention that I've encountered a couple different types of dryer outlets also. If you are certain thats intended for a dryer, you just need to purchase a new dryer electric cable.

The old cable should detach from the dryer by removing three screws (or loosten up three bolts). It's really easy to change the dryer hose. Just keep your leftover one incase you should ever move into a home with that other type of outlet.

Answer 7

The wall plug is for a 220v/ 50 amp service for a electric cook stove. You require a 220v/ 30 amp dryer plug. You can change the wall plug out easy enough, but you should also replace the 50 amp breaker in the power box with a 30 amp--this is for safety reasons--overloads, shorts.

Answer 8

Your outlet is designed for an electric range. Wrong, but will work fine . Just purchase a range cord. Thats easier than replacing the wall plug. Save the other cord. Your next place will probably have the correct wall plug.

Answer 9

The outlet you mention is for an electric stove. Dryer outlets have the "l" shape on them. someone with a little electrical knowledge should be able to replace the receptacle for you for just a few dollars.

Answer 10

go to the hard ware store and buy the pig tail that matches the plug take the cover of the dryer and remove the old one and install the new one 3wires make sure that they are put on the same way that the old one was simple fix u can do it

Answer 11

Dryers are 220...it sounds like your outlet is 110. That is a big problem.