answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

=== ===

=== === Old practice [accepted by National Electrical Code requirements] allowed the frame [chassis] of dryer to be bonded to the neutral conductor by a link to provide ground. New NEC requirements call for separation of neutral and ground paths. In a new house, or if you install a new cable to feed the dryer, you would be required to run a wire with an insulated neutral and a ground wire [10/3 with ground - 4 wires]

There are 2 possibilities:

One is that there is actually a 4-wire cable feeding that outlet, in which case you CAN change the dryer outlet to a 4 wire type - you just have to put the right wires on the right terminals and make sure the ground is connected in the panel. [Even though we only used 3 wire outlets, most electricians I know had run 10/3 with a ground for dryers in case the unit got hard-wired, which used to be allowed.]

The second possible answer is that you are allowed [unless your township or city doesn't allow it - always check with them first] to establish a ground-to-neutral link inside the dryer unit for the chassis ground and replace the 4-wire plug with a 3-wire plug. [See NEC Article 250.140] Answer Some dryers also have devices (such as lights and the timer) that run on 120 volts. These need a neutral that is separate from the protective ground.

I got a new dryer yesterday... the plug on it has four prongs and my old one has three prongs. So can the old three prong plug be taken off my old dryer and be put onto the new dryer? I notice my old three prong plug is not color coded like the one on the new one. Also when I took the old dryer off and unplugged it, a green ground wire was still fixed to it (the old dryer), so how would I ground the new dryer being that it only has three prongs? Thanks in advance. === === <<><> You could ground it in the same way as the old dryer was grounded, by fixing the green ground wire to it. [Or, in the old days, you wouldn't ground it, you would have connected the chassis of the new dryer to the neutral wire. (Unless your township or city doesn't allow it - always check with them first.) That's the danger in using the old 3-prong plug: if there is ever a voltage between the neutral and ground, you can get shocked. So don't do that!]

<><><> There is a good chance that wiring is already in place for a 4-prong plug. Even though the present 3-hole outlet doesn't have a ground lug, there may still be a ground wire in the box - it is probably just connected to the box. If you find there is already such a ground wire in the box, along with a separate neutral wire, replace the outlet to a new 4-hole type . It will be then be safer and meet modern code, and you can just plug your new dryer's 4-pin plug into it. As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.

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 ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

The best thing to do would be to replace the outlet with a four prong outlet. That way you get a separate equipment ground which is required by the newest code. Otherwise you could replace the cord on the dryer with a 3 prong cord, and connect the ground and neutral together in the dryer, but this is no longer recommended.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

8y ago

Assuming this is one with a big plug with one L-shaped prong and the other set at an angle - NO! Don't even think about doing this!

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

No, you must either upgrade the appliance cord or downgrade the outlet.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Can you plug a four prong dryer into a three prong outlet or is there an adapter you should use?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

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


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.


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.


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.


What do you do if you have no outlet for your dryer's 2-inch 3-prong plug?

call an electrician!!!


What if you have four wires running to your dryer outlet and the outlet is only a three prong one wire is just hanging out is this really even safe?

Have the outlet changed to match the configuration of the dryer plug.


How do you connect a grounded lamp to a ungrounded outlet?

Change the outlet to a grounded one. Get an adapter that goes from 3 prong to 2. Break the ground prong off. Any one of these will work.


What type of adapter can be used for a washing machine when you only have a 2 prong outlet?

Do not use an adapter. You need a properly wired outlet for a washing machine. A shock could kill you.


What is the difference between a 4 prong dryer outlet and a 4 prong stove outlet?

The four blade dryer plug brings a separate ground wire from the machine to the electrical grounding system. The three blade dryer plug depended on the neutral wire of the plug to make this connection.


Can you plug a 3 prong extension into a 110 volt outlet?

Yes, provided the outlet has a three element receptacle. The third prong is ground. If you use an adapter that connects three prongs to a two slot outlet there is a shock danger.


Is it necessary to connect the ground wire to a 4-prong 240V outlet - I am switching a 3-outlet to a 4-prong outlet for my new dryer but the ground wire is cut off so I can't connect it?

Only if you wanted to fry your hair.for God sake(and yours)buy a new cord to hook up your dryer


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.