Can I convert my 4-prong electric clothes dryer to fit a 3-prong socket?

Question

Can I convert my 4-prong electric clothes dryer to fit a 3-prong socket?

Answer 1

Yes you can change from a 4 prong to a 3 prong cord. you must install a bonding jumper to effectively ground the dryer frame to the neutral wire. Where the cord terminals attatch to the dryer connectors there will be 4 connection posts, usually philip head screws. one of the post should have a green coated wire connected to it, this is the bonding ground to the frame of the dryer. this wire must be mounted to the neutral's terminal. Check your owners manual it should explain the procedure and of course if you have any doubts call a pro.

Answer 2

Cords come on appliances for a reason,not just to make things difficult the different plug configurations are made so you cannot plug it into the wrong outlet, not so bubba can change the plug to go avoid it. ive heard people replacing cords while its not working and constantly having to reset their breaker.Its not a smart move, just bite the bullet and have a professional change out the plug to make sure you have proper connections and wiring to handle from fuse box to your plug.Different appliances handle different loads.This unit may draw out more or less amps than privious dryer which can cause a fire or not draw out enough power to even work.

Answer 3

The four prongs on your dryer plug are for

Phase A, Phase B, Neutral, and Ground.

If all of these are required for the operation

of the dryer you need to change the outlet,

and maybe the wiring.

There are those who will tell you to connect

the neutral to the ground. - ***DON'T!***

Check the junction box for the outlet.

Chances are good that there's a neutral, (white),

wire in there as well as the Black, & Red, (Phases),

and the bare or green ground.

WITH THE BREAKER OFF, simply connect the

proper outlet and it's done.

Answer 4

Yes you will need a tree prong cord you can change it easily you will have a neutral and two hots, the neutral wire is the center one and the hots on each side. The four prong wire is for newer homes, it gives you a little more safety by giving you a ground and neutral.

Answer 5

According to your description, it would be easier to change the cord on the drier to a three prong. You have to tie the neutral into the ground in the drier connection. Buy a three prong cord and follow the instructions that came with the drier.

Answer 6

Clothes Dryer Cord

Answer 7

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 8

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

Can I convert my 4-prong electric clothes dryer to fit a 3-prong socket?

If so, which is easier to switch, the dryer or the wall socket? Clarification: I do not mean the small 110v 3-prong socket. The wall has the large 240v 3-prong receiver. Thanks.

Answer 9

Yes...if you can find a new cord. I had to use an outlet cord from an older dryer. Change the cord, not the outlet.

Answer 10

The correct way is to change the cord, not the receptacle.



When you do change the cord on the back of the dryer from a 4 prong to 3 prong you MUST bond the ground and neutral together with a bonding strap. This should be covered in the dryer manual or possibly a sticker attached to the back of the dryer.







>>> For those who say that this is not true or illegal I would like for them to please refer to NEC Article 250.140 which explicitly permits this installation! This also can be verified by a licensed electrician or by visiting a reputable professional electricians forum. <<<







The 3 prong arrangement came about in WW2. An exception was made in the NEC to allow the frames of ranges and dryers to be grounded by bonding to the neutral of the cord. This saved copper for the war effort.



However this exception was not removed until the 1996 NEC code cycle when all new installations were required to use a 4 wire arrangement where the neutral and ground were separated.



The exception was only valid for certain installations. We won't go into that as you already have the 3 prong receptacle installed and it should be installed according to the NEC at the time of its installation.



The 120V loads found in ranges and dryers are very small, just the dryers drum motor and any electronics or light bulbs. So using the neutral to bond the frames of ranges and dryers was not of much concern.



The NEC is NOT retroactive so installations that have a 3 wire circuit are not required to be removed and a 4 wire circuit installed.



So in summary if going from a 4 prong to a 3 prong cord you must install a bonding jumper to effectively ground the range or dryer frame.



If going from a 3 prong to a 4 prong cord you must remove the bonding jumper between neutral and ground, then attach the neutral and ground wires to their respective terminals.



If any of this is confusing or you are unsure please contact a real licensed electrician to install this for you.

Answer 11

It can be done but you will be in violation of the newer codes. That's why all new dryers have 4 prongs. You need to have the old socket replaced to bring it up to code. May as well now since if you ever sell your home you will have to do it anyway.

Answer 12

Find out exactly what the dryer needs for power, I thought most were 220 - at least around here they are. Then, I would get an electrician to wire a matching outlet. I don't think you should use a 220 appliance on a 240 plug, but I may be wrong.

Answer 13

yes it can be done. one is typically for a kitchen range the other for a dryer but i don't remember which. i would say it would be easier to change the pigtail on the dryer since you will know for a fact it won't be hot. if you can't find the right pigtail then change the outlet but make sure you have the electricity off.



good luck.

Answer 14

4 prong is code...please consult a electrician 3 prong is old and possibly illegal.

Answer 15

the 4th wire, white-common, is there for safety. so if you do change it, and you can, and somebody gets hurt, you will have to live with that! unless it's YOU that gets killed, of coarse...