It's a relatively new dryer (high end) and we just moved. I don't know if there was an outlet adapter since I was not there when the movers packed up our stuff.
2006-10-22 12:23:15 · 10 answers · asked by nickjones65 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
The electrical codes for these plugs were changed a few years back. You would do best to just go buy the new 4 prong plug and change it out. It is very easy to do and cost about $30.00. It is worth the time and money in my opinion.
2006-10-22 12:33:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Used to be simple appliances didn't need a neutral so it was 240 volt and a ground. Now we have electronic controls that need 120 volts to neutral along with the 240 volt and ground. (Your panel has 2 phases of 120 volt that when combined together make 240 volt between them. Either one of those phases will make 120 volt to neutral) The NEC doesn't want people using a ground wire for a neutral even though it's dedicated, it gives the potential for the chassis to have live current present. Anyways, it's good that you have a 4 prong outlet. It would be easiest to change the cord to a 4 wire one. On the back of your dryer there is a small metal door usually held with 2 screws. Inside you will see a terminal strip with some screws holding down the wire ends. Usually the middle screw is your neutral and either side is your hots. The ground will be directly above or below the neutral (green screw) and with a three prong cord, there should be a copper jumper between the ground and neutral screws. You need to remove this to isolate the neutral. (If your dryer is so old that it doesn't have a neutral screw, it was probably built a heck of a lot better than the crap we buy today, and you don't connect the white wire to anything. Just make sure it can't accidentally find it's way to touch the hot terminals.) Wait until you have connected the terminals before tightening down the wire holding clamp where the cord exits the case.
2016-05-21 23:25:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the 4 prong is the new and safer electrical code, instead of spending 10 on an adapter spend 20 and get the right cord, you hook it up to the same terminals that you took off from the 3 prong, 2 hot(black and/or red wire) and one nuetral (white), and the other is the ground to the frame , should be a green screw around connect it to that. good luck
2006-10-22 12:34:58 · answer #3 · answered by sevenout7 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The adapter, in this case, is called and electrician. A dryer pulls much too much power to go messing around with adapters. You just up your risk of an electrical fire.
2006-10-22 12:33:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, there is an adapter you can get. You can find them at places like Home Depot, and I'm sure Lowe's has them. When we needed one, we got it from Home Depot. Just ask one of the guys in the washer/dryer department, they will take you, or get you someone that will show you what you need. The piece is fairly inexpensive, it was under $10.
2006-10-22 12:27:58 · answer #5 · answered by Dawn 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about adaptors but when we moved, we had the same problem. We had to buy a new cord to fit the outlet.
2006-10-22 14:58:38 · answer #6 · answered by Crystal 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should be able to go to a hardware store and find an extension cord that has two different kinds of plugs.
2006-10-22 12:48:32 · answer #7 · answered by FireKracker187 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We had to get a new dryer cord. You might be able to DIY, I don't know. I don't think there is an adapter.
2006-10-22 12:26:53 · answer #8 · answered by porkchop 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Go to Lowes and buy a new cord its a simple fix
2006-10-22 12:38:20 · answer #9 · answered by fortyninertu 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yup! i had the SAME problem -- kinda made me mad..but you can go to lowes, home depot, ace hardware...and i think even walmart might have them... you just have to switch them out... AND...its only 10 bucks. ... oh, and keep that other one..b/c you might move again and need the other one instead. Good luck!!!
2006-10-22 12:28:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋