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How do you convert a 4 prong GE dryer power cord to a 3 prong dryer power cord?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
There were very important safety reasons why 4 prong outlets were brought in instead of the old-fashioned 3 prong outlets, which had neutral connected directly to ground at the appliance.
The only safe place to connect the neutral wires in a building to the safety ground wires is upstream of all the circuit breakers and fuses, which means it should only be done inside your main breaker panel, nowhere else.
So you can connect your new dryer as safely as possible, the preferred method is to get your existing 3 prong outlet converted to an up-to-date 4 prong outlet which has two hot prongs and a neutral prong plus a separate ground prong.
Connect the green and white wires together on the center connection. The black and red wires are connected to the same outside connecters as the 4 wire configuration.
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For more information see the answers to the Related Questions shown below.
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.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoAll major electrical appliances these days have a ground already incorporated into the plug. Assuming your house is properly wired, the outlet you are plugging your dryer into will be grounded. If you are trying to plug a newer dryer into an older outlet that only allows a two pronged plug, you will need to change the receptacle and create a ground yourself. There are several ways to do this, such as running a wire to an existing ground or using a water pipe, but it's best to contact an electrical contractor and have him do this.
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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
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 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 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.
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.
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.
How can you get a 20 foot long or longer 3 prong power cord for your clothes dryer?
As far as I know, you can't. It would be safer to have a new outlet installed closer to the dryer.
How do you repair LDE8414ACE Maytag Dryer?
How do the wires connect on a 3 prong electrical cord on the lde8414ace maytag dryer
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.
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 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.
Can you convert 4 prong dryer cord to 3 prong?
Probably not. The reason is the amperage required by the electric range. They typically require 50 amp whereas a dryer normally only requires 30 amp. Therefore, the wiring feeding the dryer is not large enough to support an electric range. Your range should be wired with #6 or 8 gauge wire, whereas your dryer is likely only wired with # 10 gauge which will not carry 50 amps.
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.
