Replacing Dryer Cord 4 Prong To 3 Prong

The switch to a 4 prong outlet was due to a flaw in the 3 prong outlet design.

Replacing dryer cord 4 prong to 3 prong.

A 3 prong dryer cord was the standard for dryers prior to 2000. It isn t easy to convert an ungrounded 3 prong outlet to a grounded 4 prong one the solution is typically to replace the dryer cord. The national electrical code began requiring 4 prong receptacles for 220 volt residential circuits in 2000 but it doesn t prohibit you from using your older dryer with a 3 prong cord. So i had to change it.

Old house has a 3 prong dryer cord outlet but my dryer has a 4 prong cord. Existing homes may still use 3 prong outlets. This may save you around 40 dollars depending on what the electrician will charge for a new power cord. Installing a four prong cord to fit a four slot outlet.

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 wire there is no separate ground wire. Purchase a 3 prong dryer cord. Therefore the dryer s neutral was tied to the ground connection on the metal case of the dryer. I kept the cord when i rewire the house and my 220 outlets.

A cheaper alternative is to simply replace 4 prong dryer cable with a 3 prong. As a result contemporary 240 volt appliances such as dryers have four prong plugs while older outlets have only three. The national electrical code currently requires 4 prong dryer outlets in all new home construction. A 4 prong 30amp 250v dryer power cord will usually cost around 15 to 25 dollars if you buy it yourself.

Most of the homes today are relatively safe as far as the electrical wiring goes and you shouldn t have a problem with it malfunctioning or sending out bursts of energy.