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To change the cord of a dryer from a 3 wire to a 4wire, do the following: 1 remove the wire terminal cover, usually just above where the cord enters the dryer. 2 you will notice three terminals, the center terminal will have a white wire attached with a black or red on either side. The white wire terminal should have a bonding strap attached to it and to the metal frame of the dryer. Remove this bonding strap and save the screw.3 Remove the red and black wires from their terminals. 4 Remove the wire clamp and remove cord. 5 Insert new cord in wire clamp. 6 Connect the white wire to the center terminal. 7 Connect the green wire with that screw you saved to the metal frame of the dryer. 8 Connect the red and black wires to their terminals. 9 Replace terminal cover and you are done!

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13y ago
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14y ago
Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hertz supply service.
Dryer plug three to four
Yes this is possible and for safety's sake highly recommended. Instructions should come with the new cord. Open up the electrical access panel on the back of the dryer. You will see a terminal block with three wires going into it from the plug cord assembly. A red and black and white are now connected to the terminal strip. Look at the position and colours of the existing 3 prong cord and how it is connected. Make a diagram. Coloured wires on the outside terminals white in the center. From the center wire terminal you will see a jumper strap that goes to the frame of the dryer. When installing the four prong plug this jumper is removed completely. The kit should have with it a grounding lug that connects to where the removed grounding strip attached to the frame of the dryer. This is the attachment point for the fourth green ground wire from the new dryer cord assembly.


Before you do any work yourself,
on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,
always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized

IF YOU ARE NOT REALLY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB
SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY
REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

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Q: Can you install a four prong cord to a three prong dryer?
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Is an adapter to go from a 3 prong dryer outlet to a 4 prong dryer cord available for purchase?

I would not recommend trying to use an extension cord for a dryer. the better option is to either buy a longer cord that is properly sized to deal with the extra distance or have an electrician come out and either move the outlet or custom make you a longer cord for your dryer.


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?

Change either the plug or the cord. The fourth prong is another ground. It would be easier to change the cord.


Where do you ground the extra wire when plugging a 4 prong wire into a three prong outlet for a dryer at?

It may be a 220 Dryer, and you will need a new outlet installed. There should be no extra wires when connecting the Power cord to the plug


Can you plug a three-prong dryer into a four-prong outlet or is there an adapter you should use?

You should install a four prong. The older ones were three prong and had no ground. An adaptor isn't made because it wouldn't fix the problem. You could make your own adaptor and cut the ground off with a pair of dykes, but don't.


You are trying to change a 3 prong cord to a 4 prong your new dryer has two green cables attached to the inside of the dryer?

Dryer plug three to fourOpen up the electrical access panel on the back of the dryer. You will see a terminal block with three wires going into it from the plug cord assembly. A red and black and white are now connected to the terminal strip. Look at the position and colours of the existing 3 prong cord and how it is connected. Make a diagram. Coloured wires on the outside terminals white in the center. From the center wire terminal you will see a jumper strap that goes to the frame of the dryer. When installing the four prong plug this jumper is removed completely. The kit should have with it a grounding lug that connects to where the removed grounding strip attached to the frame of the dryer. This is the attachment point for the fourth green ground wire from the new dryer cord assembly.

Related questions

How do you switch a 3 prong cord to a 4 prong cord on a dryer?

A qualified electrician should make the change to a dryer connection. The best way to cheaply make the change is to change the power cord on the dryer to the three hole standard.


Do 3-prong cords have difference requirements.. I want to buy a used stackable washer drying and install it where my old stackable was. If the funking plug fits the outlet - am I good?

All three prong dryer cords should fit all three prong outlets. Dryer and stove plugs are different but as long as someone didn't use one in place of a dryer cord, there isn't a problem.


Is an adapter to go from a 3 prong dryer outlet to a 4 prong dryer cord available for purchase?

I would not recommend trying to use an extension cord for a dryer. the better option is to either buy a longer cord that is properly sized to deal with the extra distance or have an electrician come out and either move the outlet or custom make you a longer cord for your dryer.


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?

Change either the plug or the cord. The fourth prong is another ground. It would be easier to change the cord.


Where do you ground the extra wire when plugging a 4 prong wire into a three prong outlet for a dryer at?

It may be a 220 Dryer, and you will need a new outlet installed. There should be no extra wires when connecting the Power cord to the plug


Where can you purchase a 4 prong dryer cord?

At any DYI store.


Can you plug a three-prong dryer into a four-prong outlet or is there an adapter you should use?

You should install a four prong. The older ones were three prong and had no ground. An adaptor isn't made because it wouldn't fix the problem. You could make your own adaptor and cut the ground off with a pair of dykes, but don't.


Are there 3 prong to 4 prong adapters for driers?

No, and adapters are not needed. What needs to be done in remove the old three blade dryer plug and install a new four blade cord on the dryer.Dryer plug three to fourInstructions should come with the new cord. Open up the electrical access panel on the back of the dryer. You will see a terminal block with three wires going into it from the plug cord assembly. A red and black and white are now connected to the terminal strip. Look at the position and colours of the existing 3 prong cord and how it is connected. Make a diagram. Coloured wires on the outside terminals white in the center. From the center wire terminal you will see a jumper strap that goes to the frame of the dryer. When installing the four prong plug this jumper is removed completely. The kit should have with it a grounding lug that connects to where the removed grounding strip attached to the frame of the dryer. This is the attachment point for the fourth green ground wire from the new dryer cord assembly.


Who sells 8 ft 3 prong dryer cords?

Under the new electrical code rules three prong dryer cord receptacles and therefore cords are not allowed to be installed. As you are finding out, stores are not carrying them in stock any more. You should consider an upgrade for safety sakes, to a four prong plug cord and change the wall receptacle to a four prong receptacle. There are instructions on how to do this your self on Answers.


You are trying to change a 3 prong cord to a 4 prong your new dryer has two green cables attached to the inside of the dryer?

Dryer plug three to fourOpen up the electrical access panel on the back of the dryer. You will see a terminal block with three wires going into it from the plug cord assembly. A red and black and white are now connected to the terminal strip. Look at the position and colours of the existing 3 prong cord and how it is connected. Make a diagram. Coloured wires on the outside terminals white in the center. From the center wire terminal you will see a jumper strap that goes to the frame of the dryer. When installing the four prong plug this jumper is removed completely. The kit should have with it a grounding lug that connects to where the removed grounding strip attached to the frame of the dryer. This is the attachment point for the fourth green ground wire from the new dryer cord assembly.


How do you repair LDE8414ACE Maytag Dryer?

How do the wires connect on a 3 prong electrical cord on the lde8414ace maytag dryer


How do you change the plug on your clothes dryer cord from three prong to four?

You have to go buy a new four prong chord, unscrew the base of the old chord, and switch them out.