How can I test a 220v dryer outlet?

Question

I need to test a 220 Voly dryer outlet to see if it is providing power. It is a 3 prong outlet and do I use my multimeter on just the top 2 outlet holes?

Answer 1

depending on the configuration of the receptacle will tell you the current rating it should be, normally an electric dryer is on a 30 amp circuit. go to your distribution panel and ensure you don't have a tripped circuit breaker, if not return to the receptacle with your meter on an acceptable a.c. voltage setting insert the probes into the vertical slots, you should read 220 to 240 volts. then one side at a time check between each vertical slot and the neutral slot. you should see 110 to 120 volts. after finding these voltages you will need to ask " how do i check my dryer?" and to add to one of the other answers 220 is not 110 twice. it is two seprate 110 volt legs. if you dont have 240 volt service your out of luck.

Answer 2

First turn off the circuit breaker. It doesn't sound like you are comfortable with this. You have the older receptacle & yes the bottom is usually the ground. Place your multimeter at 240 AC volts & above & insert either of the red or black leads into the top two openings. Your multimeter should be on a stool without you even holding it for now. Then go back to the breaker panel & flip back on the breaker to the dryer. Now read the meter. It should properly read 220 or above voltage. If it does not read within the 220-240 range, you'd do best to consult a knowledgeable plumbing & electrical store in town who doesn't just send you to an aisle number as they walk away. Or an electrician, but I like not having to spend the $$$ if I don't have to.

Answer 3

Dryer Outlet

Answer 4

Well it sounds like splitting the gas line will be easier but if you screw up BOOOM. For the electrical you will have to run a cable from the electrical box (where ever that is) to the dryer location. That is something most DIY types can do. You can't just change out an old outlet because the cable size will be wrong. That would lead to a fire. Not quite as bad a BOOOM. Note that you will still need a 120v outlet for the dryer. The heat comes from the gas but the motor that makes it spin is still electric.

Answer 5

The grounding hole is always different than the hot leads.It usually will be in the shape of an L.Set your multimeter of course to ac power and start tesing,even if you test a hot and a ground you should wind up with 120 volts.It doesnt matter what holes you check you will have voltage on any .The 2 holes side by side you should have 240 volts.Just start testing you cant go wrong.Cut breaker off and remove the out let cover and turn breaker back on and test then,stay away from any bare copper or you will get shocked.The ground wire will be green,test the other 2 to see if you have 240 volts.Best bet if you are unsure of this simple operation is to have an electrician to look at it.
Just hard to explain it without looking at it.

Answer 6

When using a meter to check Voltage you always set it first to the higest scale not what you think it is going to be. So if your checking 220 and highest scale goes to 600 set there. Then after seeing where its reading adjust the scale on meter. This protects meter.
It may be different by 120 or 220 or whatever by some amount indicating a problem somewhere. I was troubleshooting a switch at work recently and voltage at switch wan't 220 but something like 150. I found contacts on relay were bad. Point being You need to find someone to go thru this with you the first time.
You can kill someone or burn down the house.

Answer 7

TURN OFF ALL CIRCUIT BREAKERS THEN CUT A 6" PIECE OF COAT HANGER AND FOLD IT IN A "V" SHAPE AND TAPE THE BOTTOM OF THE V TO A DRY WOOD STICK, THEN WITH RUBBER GLOVES HOLD ONLY THE STICK AND PUSH THE 2 ENDS OF THE V INTO THE PLUG. THEN LET GO AND SEE IF THE CIRCUIT WILL LET YOU TURN IT ON, IF IT POPS IT WORKS. IF NOT CHANE FROM THE TWO TOP HOLES TO THE TOP AND BOTTOM HOLES AND TRY AGAIN. IF STILL NO LUCK, ITS A BAD PLUG.

Answer 8

well, no, to answer the specific question you asked. 220 is 110 twice. you should have 110V on each side, when you contact the neutral in the center.

HOWEVER if you really dont know what you are doing, please leave it alone. the simplest way to tell if it is hot or not is take something that you know is functioning properly, and plug it into the circuit. it still works, you got juice and the fault is with the dryer. 220V can and will kill you if you don't know what you're doing with it, leave it alone please.

Answer 9

let's make it simple. set the tester for 220/240 and put the terminals in the top 2 holes. it should read 220/240. either side tested to the ground can show 110 but that doesn't mean you have 220.

Answer 10

with a wiggee. Use the multimeter on ground and line voltage (110v) or both line voltages (220v)