Installing a Washer Dryer Unit with an Existing Dryer Plug
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Will my 240volt 3 prong outlet work with a new dryer with a 250volt with a 4 prong cord? How to Connect 3 Prong and 4 Prong Plugs for a Washer Dryer Combo. |
Electrical Plug for a Washer Dryer
Electrical Question: Will my 240volt 3 prong outlet work with a new dryer with a 250volt with a 4 prong cord?
- I want to buy a Bosch vent less washer and dryer, the washer dryer combo uses 240volts with 3 prongs.
- My outlet in the laundry closet has 30 amps 125/250volts with four prongs.
- Will it work and will the new dryer plug cause any damages by using a 240v 3 prong with outlet with 250v with 4 prong?
Please let me know.
This electrical question came from: Bill in New York.
Additional Comments: I love this site for an office worker that does not know any about electric wiring and usage?
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Bill.
3 Prong and 4 Prong Plugs for a Washer Dryer Combo
- The new washer and dryer unit should work with your existing plug if it has the same configuration.
- The typical dyer circuit is 30 amps 125/250volts the difference is that the newer code requires 4-wire or a dedicated neutral.
More about Wiring a Washer and Dryer
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 220 Volt electric power cord wiring system.
- You may have a 3-wire or 4-wire electric dryer, or a 3-wire or 4-wire outlet. See how the electric dryer is wired and what to do if your cord does not match the plug.
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Wiring Electrical Outlets for the Home
- Home electrical wiring includes 110 volt outlets and 220 volt outlets and receptacles which are common place in every home. See how wiring electrical outlets for the home are done.
How to Install Laundry Room Electrical Wiring
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Laundry Room Electrical Wiring
- Fully Explained Photos and Wiring Diagrams for Laundry Room Electrical Wiring with Code Requirements for most new or remodel projects.
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Hello, I do have concerns regarding my 4 prong dryer outlet its because my kids keep messing with the power of the dryer. I just wanted to put a 20 or 30 amp off switch on it, is it possible? I was confused because of the 4 wire, and which wire will go to the switch then to the outlet, 2 of those were + ,neutral, white and ground, the live wire were red and black.
Thanks.
Hi Ramel,
If you were to install an On/OFF switch, then the switch would need to be rated for the dryer circuit, which is rated for 30 amps 240 volts. The switch would be a 2-pole switch and it would have to be installed into a switch box enclosure that is grounded. The 240 volt circuit wires would be attached to the switch.
Another consideration is to install a 30 amp non-fused disconnect which would accomplish the same thing. Keep in mind that either way, the switch or disconnect must be located in an accessible location.
Dave
I have a combination washer / dryer (over and under) unit that has a NEMA 14-30 plug on it. The house I’m moving into has a NEMA 10-30R socket in the wall. My question is, can I change out the socket to a NEMA 14-30 so that I can leave the washer/dryer in tact? this is the only plug on it and powers both the washer and the dryer. The breaker for this outlet is a 30 amp – double pole breaker. Wire guage is unknown at this time….
Hi Mark,
The issue is that the NEMA 10-30 is a 3-wire outlet, and the washer/dryer has a 4-wire cord. IF this washer/dryer manual states that a 3-wire cord may be installed then that would be the solution, but I think you may find that the unit requires a separate neutral wire therefore you could only install a NEMA 14-30 IF there were a unused neutral wire with the existing 30 amp circuit, and that could only be known by turning the circuit OFF and removing the existing outlet.
Dave