How can I convert a 3 prong pigtail to a 4 prong pigtail?

Question

I have a dryer that has a built in ground. My recepticle is 4 prong. The cord on the dryer right now does not have colored wires. How do I know how to it into the new cord. It is a 220 dryer. The new cord packaging gives no indication of how to wire it.

Answer 1

there was a code change in 2002 that basically did away with 3 wire 220v dryer where the nuetral was bonded t othe ground at the dryer, now newer dryer have seperate nuetrals and ground wire and are no longer bonded ( wire nutted or tied together via a lug ) at the dryer, this ia because in the event of a current leak the dryer housing can be come energized, and since dryers can be located in garages with wet floors you ( if you touch the dryer with bare feet on the concrete ) become the new path to ground, and thus get hit with the unbalanced load from the dryer, a potential fatall condition.

if you have a 3 wire cord fro mthe dryer, replace it with a 4 wire and seperate the nuetral ( white wire ) from the ground wire.

http://www.selfhelpandmore.com/switchoutlet/dryer/dryershowall.htm

The receptacleand circuit are the key items. The cord must correspond to the receptacle.

An existing older 3-wire is still legal and can be used with a new appliance. The ground gets bonded to the neutral.

A newer circuit MUST use a 4-wire circuit, receptacle and cord.

NEVER leave the ground unattached. If it is a 3-wire cord the ground is bonded to the neutral. If it is a newer 4-wire the ground has it's own conductor.

The code DID used to allow a neutral to ground connection in certain appliances, such as ranges and dryers. This is no longer the case, but existing CIRCUITS can be used and are not required to be upgraded. Although upgrading to a 4-wire circuit is never a bad idea.

You can either 1) change out the cord on your new dryer to match your existing outlet, or 2) change out the outlet. I do not know of any 3 wire to 4 wire adapter that you could buy.

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

Go to Lowe's or Home Depot. I had to change mine about seven years ago, but it's been so long I forgot how to do it (safely) without electricuting you.

Actually, Dragonfire's answer above has a link with pics of the 3-and 4- prong photo's that should answer your question. The 4-prong photo alone should deserve him the ten points for best answer.

Answer 4

Ms:

You say you don't like people who act dumb and I would have to agree. So my advise would be this, return the new cord and at the same time explain to the sales person your dilemma. It is possible the advise you may receive is the answer you are needing. It is the safe thing to do.

Answer 5

"The cord on the dryer does not have colored wires"

it does....just look hard. it will have a small solid line, one will have a dotted line, and one will be unmarked. if they still are not visible, go inside to terminal and it should be marked.
but, be careful don't wanna screw this one up!!!

Answer 6

did you buy a 120volt dryer? don't even try to change it.

Answer 7

Ms Is this about you!??
☆★☆ http://www.osoq.com/funstuff/extra/extra02.asp?strName=Ms