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Electrical Wire and Cable


Installing a Washer Dryer Unit with an Existing Dryer Plug


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.



Home Electrical Wiring Video

Hooking Up a Generator to the House Panel
Using a Circuit Breaker Interlock Kit
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Electrical Plug for a Washer Dryer
[ad#block]Electrical Question: Will my 240volt 3 prong outlet work  with a new dryer with a 250volt with a 4 prong cord?

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

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The following may also be helpful for you:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring:

» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! «

Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book
Great for any Home Wiring Project.
  electrical wiring  

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
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet
Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring
Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring
NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.


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.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

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

4 Responses to “Installing a Washer Dryer Unit with an Existing Dryer Plug”
  1. Mark S. says:

    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….

  2. Dave Rongey says:

    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

  3. Ramel says:

    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.

  4. Dave Rongey says:

    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