Wiring For Clothes Dryers – Don’t Do This
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How to Wire a Dryer Cord and Plug: Find out how it s it possible to rewire most dryers so that it can use a 3 wire plug. |
Wiring 3Wire and 4Wire Dryer Plugs
Electrical Question: I have a four wire plug on my dryer.
- I installed a four wire plug in my wall, however, when my house was wired whoever did it cut the red wire off before the circuit panel and hooked up the white and black wires to the breaker instead of the red and black.
- My old dryer had a 3 wire plug so this was not an issue.
- I need to know if I need to find the end of the red wire somehow and pigtail off of that and hook it up where the white wire is now and if so where do I then hook the white wire to in the panel, Or is it possible to rewire the dryer so that I can use a 3 wire plug on it instead
This electrical question came from: Bob, a Homeowner from Kalispell, Montana.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Bob.
Electrical Wiring for a Dryer Plug
How to Wire a Dryer Plug and Cord
Application: Wiring a Dryer Plug
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and a Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools and the number of outlets that will be replaced.
Precaution: Identify the electric dryer circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Bob, follow the links below and you will see how to make the connection using a 3 wire plug.
- Wiring a Dryer
- Electric dryer installation with a typical 220 Volt electric power cord wiring system.
- 3-wire or 4-wire electric dryer plug and outlet connections.
- What to do if your cord does not match the plug.
For more information about 220 Volt Wiring Diagram
220 Volt Wiring Diagram
Wiring 220 Volt Electrical Outlet
Home electrical wiring includes 110 volt outlets and 220 volt outlets and receptacles which are common place in every home. See how electrical outlets for the home are wired.
- Never cut off unused wires, especially where you cannot get to the wire.
- If a wire is not going to be used then place a wire nut over the end and cap it off, but do not cut the wire off.
- Unused electrical wires must be safely enclosed and accessible for circuit testing and future use.
More about Electrical Wiring for a Dryer
Electric Panel
House Wiring Circuits and Circuit Breakers
This article looks at common 120 volt and 240 volt house wiring circuits and the circuit breakers that are installed identifying the types and amperage sizes used in most homes.
Electrical Circuits
Electric Circuit Listing
The size of the home electrical service panel is designed by calculating the square footage of the home and factoring in the code requirements for the electrical circuits that are required.
Circuit Breaker
Electrical Wiring Protection using 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.
The following may also be helpful for you:
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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.
The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!The Non-Contact Electrical TesterThis 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 TesterThis 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 CutterMy 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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Dear Dave,
I live in an older apartment. I just bought a new dryer and discovered that the outlet is for a range. Apparently, someone put a range cord on the old dryer to make it fit. Is this dangerous? Is it illegal? I am trying to convince the landlord he needs to install a dryer outlet so that the new dryer can be safely plugged in. I don’t want to buy a range cord and attach it to my dryer. But, is is safe to do so?
Thanks,
Delanna Reed
Hi Delanna – It sounds like the dryer will be using a 50 amp range circuit at the apartment. If this is true then the circuit should be converted to a 30 amp circuit as this is what the dryer is designed for. This will ensure that the internal wiring and the components of the dryer (which are designed for 30 amps) will be protected by a 30 amp circuit. The conversion will require installing the following 30 Amp, 240 Volt Parts: Circuit Breaker, Outlet and Dryer Cord. This can be done easily by a qualified electrician.
Delanna, make sure the dryer is well vented too.
Dave,
My new dryer is a Kenmore electric or gas dryer, however, it says for the electric it is for Canada only! My question is can it be wired to work here in the United States? Thank you.
michelle
Hi Michele,
If your electric dryer specifically states that it is for Canada only then the electrical components are for 50hz only, therefore because the USA has a 60hz system I would not take the risk of damaging the dryer. You may want to contact the technical support for the manufacturer of the dryer and get more information. The difference is not a wiring configuration or wiring adjustment but rather the type of electrical power that is provided in Canada 50hz, and the USA 60hz.
Dave
Hi there,
I want to put a dryer in my apartment on the first floor and there is no dryer plug right now, what can I do?
Hi Stephanie,
Because you are renting it would be best to ask the owner of the property or the apartment manager about having an electric dryer outlet installed. Adding any additional utilities should be done with approval from the management, and they may install the dryer circuit for you or give you the permission to have one installed. Either way, a 220 volt electric dryer requires a dedicated 30 amp circuit to be installed and the process will depend on the structure. The dryer circuit should be installed with a permit and all work should be inspected.
Dave
I’m replacing a utility sink in the laundry room. The water source and drain are located 16 inches above the sink. The electrician put the electrical outlets directly under the housing for the water and drain leaving only 8 in from sink. One is a 110volt GFCI, the other is 240 for dryer. Sink has a pull out faucet which is inches from outlets. He said it was code. I can’t find anything to tell me where a dryer outlet should be placed. They don’t require GFCI for those giant outlets?
GFCI Breaker for a Dryer
Hi Jaye,
GFCI circuit breakers are available in a wide variety of amperage, therefor a GFCI circuit breaker could be installed to provide ground fault protection if it was necessary. At this time the electrical code does not require a 240 volt dryer outlet to have GFCI protection, refer to NEC Article 250.142(b). Please note that it is best to have all electrical work inspected by the local building department.
I hope this helps,
Dave
Thank you Dave for responding to my question. And yes it did help!
I installed a new 4 plug receptacle for a newer dryer. The old wiring in the house is one hot black, one hot white and one bare copper (non insulated common). I had no wire to connect to ground in the new receptacle. I wanted to know if this is safe. I do not wish to be surprised by a shock some day when I touch the dryer. The dryer works great. I am just not sure about the ground. The existing wiring is from a sub panel with 30 amp connected breakers. The old dryer worked fine with the old three wire receptacle and pigtail.
I Barry,
The ground wire of the circuit should be connected to the ground wire terminal of the receptacle. It would be best to look at the installation manual of the dryer to see if a 3wire cord is listed as an approved method of connection. If a 3wire cord is not an alternative and the new dryer manual specifically states that a 4wire circuit with a dedicated neutral wire is required then a 4wire dryer circuit should be installed.
I hope this helps,
Dave