The 4 prong dryer cord is comprised of two hot wires a neutral wire and a ground wire. How to install 4 prong and 3 prong dryer cord duration.
How To Replace A 3 Prong Electric Dryer Cord With A 4 Prong Cord
Maytag dryer cord wiring 4 prong to 3 prong. Before the mid 1990s most electric clothes dryers operated with three prong plugs that fit into three slot outlets but since 1996 the electric code has required four slot. The switch to a 4 prong outlet was due to a flaw in the 3 prong outlet design. Changing a 4 prong dryer cord to a 3 prong dryer cord duration. If you will be calling an electrician to install the cord it may be cheaper for you to buy the 4 prong dryer cord beforehand. When moving a newer electric dryer into an older house its not uncommon to find that the cord and plug included with the new dryer doesnt fit the 240 volt dryer outlet. A 4 prong 30amp 250v dryer power cord will usually cost around 15 to 25 dollars if you buy it yourself.
Change either the plug or the cord. This has the potential to allow a current to find its way onto the ground wire. In a 3 prong outlet the ground and neutral wires are contained in the same prong. In todays video we are taking a look at how to install a 4 or 3 prong dryer wire. Benjamin sahlstrom 191129 views. The fourth prong is another ground.
Four prong has been the official standard since 1996 when the national electrical code nec changed the rules about range and dryer cords and their outlets. This may save you around 40 dollars depending on what the electrician will charge for a new power cord. Always remember safety is the number one thing. The key difference in the wiring configuration between 3 prong and 4 prong cords is that with the older setup the 3 prong cord has only two hot wires and one neutral wirethere is no separate ground wiretherefore the dryers neutral was tied to the ground connection on the metal case of the dryer. Connecting a 4 wire power supply cord duration. Materials needed for dryer wiring duration.
Electric ranges like electric clothes dryers plug into special 240 volt outlets with either a three prong or four prong cord. The national electrical code began requiring 4 prong receptacles for 220 volt residential circuits in 2000 but it doesnt prohibit you from using your older dryer with a 3 prong cord. You just moved in your new home and the outlet for the dryer is a 3 prong your dryer is a 4 prong you should you do. Maytag appliance repair and maintenance self help videos 46116 views.