My laundry room only has one 120v Socket, and that is being used by the Washing machine. There is also, a 220v (30a) dryer socket that was used by the old (now dead) dryer. Besides returning the new dryer, what options are available? I was thinking about replacing the existing 30A circuit breaker with two circuit breakers one 10 and one 20 only hooking up the 20. Then replacing the 220v dryer socket with a standard 120 socket. Anyone got any ideas?
2007-02-04 08:01:27 · 10 answers · asked by Brian D 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
The new dryer is electric: GE Model Number DRSR483
I would not be making any changes to the circuit breaker myself. I have replaced many electrical outlets in the past and installed new lighting, but altering a circuit breaker would be something I would hire an electrician for.
2007-02-04 09:10:44 · update #1
Ideally the washer and dryer should have their own dedicated lines. You do not want to plug the dryer into the same line that supplies the washer because with both of them running at the same time you could overload the circuit.
It may be just as easy to have a 120V line run for the new dryer as it would be to convert the 220V line and then there would be no need to have the 220V line restored if and when needed. It would be perfectly fine to convert the 220V to a 120V line by changing the breaker and receptacle. You could just leave the red wire disconnected and capped off at both ends without worrying about a second breaker and receptacle for a circuit that you have no need for.
2007-02-04 13:34:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
120v Clothes Dryer, 220V socket...?
My laundry room only has one 120v Socket, and that is being used by the Washing machine. There is also, a 220v (30a) dryer socket that was used by the old (now dead) dryer. Besides returning the new dryer, what options are available? I was thinking about replacing the existing 30A circuit...
2015-08-18 23:40:55 · answer #2 · answered by Elroy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
120v Clothes Dryer
2016-11-09 22:07:05 · answer #3 · answered by vaudreuil 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The likelihood is good that the circuit that is used by the lone 120 volt socket would support running the motor of the new dryer.
You didn't indicate whether the new dryer is gas heated or electrically heated, but I'd assume it's gas heated.
With a 20 amp circuit breaker supplying the 120 volt washer (AND apparently NOTHING ELSE) the total wattage that the socket is designed to supply would be 2400 watts (from multiplying 120 x 20amps). If the combined wattage of your washer and new dryer are safely less than this 2400 figure, then the current "socket" could rather easily be converted to a DUPLEX plug in "socket". That would be simpler than adapting the probable 3-wire cable supplying the 220 volt dryer socket to supply 110-120.
2007-02-04 08:41:14 · answer #4 · answered by answerING 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Just change the 120V recepticle to a duplex GFI recepticle and run both off the one circuit. If you modify the 220V circuit then when you go to sell YOU will have to pay an electrician to bring the property back up to code. Cost $20 for GFI recep, $180 for electrician per hour 2 hours min to fix later. Your choice!!! Personally i could use $360
2007-02-04 09:12:40 · answer #5 · answered by NubbY 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are comfortable about rewiring the outlet inside of the Breaker box it is easy enough to do. The way to turn your 240 into a 120 is locate the wires from the outlet in the breaker box. There should be a white wire, black wire, and a copper ground wire. The black and white wires are both connected to the breaker. Pull out the breaker, disconnect the white wire from the breaker and connect it on the tie bar where the other white wires are. Change out the outlet to a high amp 120 volt outlet. They look the same as a standard outlet, check te markings. Reinstall your breaker, turn the power on and use a tester to see if the application is correct. I use a tester that plugs in to the outlet and has 3 indicator lights that will tell you ifit is correct. MAKE SURE THAT ALL CONNECTION ARE TIGHT.
2007-02-04 16:00:53 · answer #6 · answered by michael m 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would've chucked the 120V dryer. They take a LONG time to dry clothes. Just not worth it.
2007-02-04 17:32:33 · answer #7 · answered by ButwhatdoIno? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your plan sounds reasonable.
But before you connect your new dryer up to a 20 amp CB, check to see what circuit it is rated for.
For example you wouldn't want to hook up your dryer to a 20 amp circuit if it is rated at 15 amps because if there was a fault in your dryer, then it might burn up before it overloaded the breaker.
2007-02-04 08:28:05 · answer #8 · answered by No More 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
A 220 circuit, uses two hot legs (usually black or red) and a neutral (usually white)... the 120 circuit uses one hot leg (usually black or red) and one neutral (usually white)... if your handy with electrical... you can TURN OFF THE BREAKER FIRST, cap one of the hot legs and use one and the neutral to get a 120 circuit... if your not experienced with electrical... leave it for the experts...
2007-02-04 08:27:33 · answer #9 · answered by prop4u 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ummm this might be a silly answer but why not use a double plug on your 120v Socket?
2007-02-04 08:04:43 · answer #10 · answered by nos8wire 2 · 1⤊ 5⤋