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Electrical Circuit Requirements for a Clothes Dryer


How to Installing a Clothes Dryer Electrical Circuit – A typical 240 volt electric power circuit and the dryer cord wiring system.



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Electric Clothes Dryer Circuit Requirements

[ad#block]Electrical Question: Can 8 gauge wire and a 40 amp breaker be used for a clothes dryer circuit, the material was left over from a previous job?

This electrical wiring question came from: Jamin, a Contractor from Owasso, Oklahoma

Additional Comments: This website is extremely helpful!

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Jamin

How to Installing a Clothes Dryer Electrical Circuit

Sizing the Circuit Breaker for a Clothes Dryer

RESOURCES

Wiring a Dryer for 3-Wire and 4-Wire Cords
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3-Wire and 4-Wire Configurations for Clothes Dryers

See an electric dryer installation with a typical 240 volt electric power circuit and the dryer cord wiring system. You may find yourself with either a 3-wire or 4-wire electric dryer, or a 3-wire or 4-wire outlet. Lets look a how the electric dryer is wired and what to do if your cord does not match the plug.

Electrical Wire for the Home

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Home Electrical Circuit Breakers

A guide to home electrical circuit breakers and how they work to protect your electrical wiring. When properly installed, your home electrical wiring is protected by a circuit protection device.

Guide to Home Electrical Wire
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Electrical Wire for the Home

Complete listing of electrical wire types and parts used for home projects with electrical code information serves as selection guidelines.

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Electrical Code Articles for Home Wiring

Electrical Code Directory covering afci-circuit, electrical-boxes, electrical-circuit, electrical-code-outlets, electrical-gfci, electrical-grounding, electrical-project, electrical-services, electrical-underground, electrical-wiring, electrical-wiring-code, lighting-code, and smoke-detectors.


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Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring:

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Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book
Great for any Home Wiring Project.
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Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

Perfect for Homeowners, Students,
Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians
Includes:
Wiring GFCI Outlets
Wiring Home Electric Circuits
120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring Light Switches
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
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Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
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Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

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The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..

The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.


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FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

2 Responses to “Electrical Circuit Requirements for a Clothes Dryer”
  1. Tim says:

    I have a washer dryer set up, 60 ft away from panel. 10/2 was ran on a 30 amp breaker. The dryer will not get hot enough to dry clothes. Will upgrade to #8 and a 40 amp breaker be sufficient to carry enough amps that distance to get dryer to work properly. Just disposed of a very nice front load set because of these issues. 240volt minimum to dry 4 pair of jeans, 2 shirts and a couple other items.

  2. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Tim,
    Make sure the circuit that is supplying the power to the washer dryer matches what is specified by the installation manual and the connections to the outlet and connections of the cord to the unit are correct. The distance of 60 feet should not be a problem that would affect the performance of the dryer. Compare the existing circuit to the specified requirements of the unit and double check the connections then make adjustments as needed.
    Dave