Flush Mount 3 prong Dryer Receptacle?

Question

Hi everyone,I need some help on relocating a dryer receptacle.It is 3 prong surface mount.It is a couple of feet away from a pantry,which is where I would like to refeed it.I do not know if the receptacle installs straight
into the drywall itself or into a stud,and does it require a gang box and what kind or size? Do I use 10-2 wire to the existing wire and wirecaps/electrical tape? Is it ok to install it beneath a window or is there a nec code about placement of receptacles near windows? My local electrician at best estimate wants to charge $90 plus material.I am competent to do this myself since a recent Rangehood install went great. I appreciate
all help and advice as i would not like to have to chunk over the expense unless it is best suited for the pro..
Thanks

Answer 1

Contrary to one answer, it is just fine to splice 240V wiring. The company I work for does it all the time at 480V on up to 13800V.


A 3 prong dryer receptacle is an ungrounded receptacle. You are not permitted to extend an ungrounded circuit unless an equipment grounding conductor is in the box available for use. Or unless an equipment grounding conductor for the circuit extension is run as specified in NEC Article 250.130(C)(1) through (4)

1-4 reads as follows.

1. Any accessible point on the grounding electrode system.

2. Any accessible point on the grounding electrode conductor.

3. The equipment grounding terminal bar within the enclosure where the branch circuit originates.

4. For grounded systems, the grounded service conductor within the service equipment enclosure.

After this is done you must now use a 4 prong grounding receptacle and switch the dryer over to a 4 prong cord. The neutral to ground bonding jumper on the dryer must also be removed when doing this.

In the end it is usually cheaper to go ahead and install a new circuit with a 4 prong receptacle.

Since you are modifying it and are extending the circuit you are now required to use a grounding 4 prong receptacle. Grandfathering rules do not apply now.


One thing to make sure of is to never ground to an unbonded ground rod. By unbonded I mean that the ground rod is not connected to the main panel and to the system neutral.

The reason is because electricity does not try to get to the actual ground! It simply tries to get back to its source. In this case the source is the transformer. The transformers center tap (neutral) is grounded through a rod to the earth to stabilize its voltage to ground and for lightning protection.

When the neutral is ran into your house it is regrounded here again through a rod.

When we touch a hot wire current flows through us and to the earth then back through the ground rods to get back to the transformer.

The problem is that the impedance of the earth is simply too high to allow enough fault current to flow during a short. When enough fault current doesn't flow the breaker will not trip and save our lives.


Also if you were able to legally move the 3 prong receptacle you could not use 10-2. With a 3 wire circuit the frames of ranges and dryers are grounded to the neutral (grounded) conductor. Regular 10-2 has an insulated black and an insulated white however the grounding conductor is bare.

NEC Article 250.140(3) requires the grounded conductor (the neutral) to be insulated or it may be uninsulated if part of a Type SE service entrance cable. Since the 10-2 has a bare grounding wire you can't use it.

Hope this helps and be safe!

Answer 2

Flush Mount Receptacle

Answer 3

All the exposed wire along the walls should be protected in thin wall conduit. The way I would do it is move the box with the receptacle to the place where the dryer will be used. Pull the wire from the receptacle box. Do not cut it. Then above the ceiling joists mount a new box and make the splice inside the new box and attach the cover. New holes will be needed thru the joists for the extension. Drill them above the centerline of the joists as that area is under compression not tension from the weight above. Assuming you have a 3/4 inch thin wall conduit from the receptacle box to a point near the joists, it is doubtful two lengths of cable will fit inside the conduit. Even if you could do it, it is probably against code for over-stuffing the space. Both cables emit heat when power is consumed. Without air space and enough surface area to dissipate the heat, the wires could overheat and deteriorate causing an electrical fire. Unlikely, but that's the code.

Answer 4

"Flush Mount 3 prong Dryer Receptacle?
Hi everyone,I need some help on relocating a dryer receptacle.It is 3 prong surface mount."

If it is a surface mount, your questions are already answered.

If it is a recessed mount, open the wall and your questions will be answered.

Relocate the existing equip.

Answer 5

yes ,diy, yes use # 10-2 wire to extend it, the splice has to be in a steel juncion box, an yes it will hook to the side of a stud,
you can put the plug any where,

Answer 6

Never splice 220v wiring!

Answer 7

Ask this on the US site, this is UK!!