Changing Dryer Cord

Originally Posted by Jim M

Do you have a wiring system that will support the 4 wire receptacle?

Originally Posted by Tiger

IMO the receptacle needs to be 4-conductor AND the circuit wiring needs to be 4-conductor.

Originally Posted by 2008 NEC

250.140 Frames of Ranges and Clothes Dryers.
Frames of electric ranges, wall-mounted ovens, counter-mounted cooking units, clothes dryers, and outlet or junction boxes that are part of the circuit for these appliances shall be connected to the equipment grounding conductor in the manner specified by 250.134 or 250.138.

Exception: For existing branch-circuit installations only where an equipment grounding conductor is not present in the outlet or junction box, the frames of electric ranges, wall-mounted ovens, counter-mounted cooking units, clothes dryers, and outlet or junction boxes that are part of
the circuit for these appliances shall be permitted to be connected to the grounded circuit conductor if all the following conditions are met.
(1) The supply circuit is 120/240-volt, single-phase, 3-wire; or 208Y/120-volt derived from a 3-phase, 4-wire, wye-connected system.
(2) The grounded conductor is not smaller than 10 AWG copper or 8 AWG aluminum.
(3) The grounded conductor is insulated, or the grounded conductor is uninsulated and part of a Type SE service entrance cable and the branch circuit originates at the service equipment.
(4) Grounding contacts of receptacles furnished as part of the equipment are bonded to the equipment

Originally Posted by boman47k

So basically it is a new dryer on existing 3 wire conductor. When I bought it, I thought I would have to run a 4 wire but was told I could just swap pigtails. When I vcame to the grounding, I had to stop and think. Thought maybe someone on here could rest my mind a little.

Originally Posted by boman47k

Bought a new dryer and of course it has a 4 wire pigtail. Is it necessary to change the old 3 wire rec in my house, or can I just change the 4 wire oigtail to a 3 wire off the old dryer. Now if this was the opposite situation, I would have no problem. Bend the ground strap back, neutrtal to the middle, ground to the cab , good to go. Where I am a little bumfuzzled is do I put the green ground on with the white neutral at the power block?

Originally Posted by Celtic

What really needs to be determined is:
Is the existing REALLY a 3-wire circuit or not?

Many times, the AC jacket is over looked as the EGC here.

Originally Posted by Celtic

boman...if you get a chance and the motivation....make it a 4-wire.....technically, the 3-wire went out in like 1996 - but the NEC realizes many homes were built prior to that date.

Originally Posted by boman47k

... how did we get by for so many years with the old way?

Originally Posted by rselectric1

In the Chicago suburbs where everything must be run in emt, I sometimes wonder myself if the metal emt is a substantial ECG. We have to make our own 4th wire to the Eg via a green screw.
It's all so confusing, I just want to be a fireman or superhero when I grow up!

Originally Posted by 480sparky

EMT is a far better ground than any conductor you can fit inside of it.

Originally Posted by rselectric1

I just want to be a fireman or superhero when I grow up!

Originally Posted by Ohmy

Is it is a newer/nicer dryer? Older dryers have 240v motors and elements. Newer dryers have 120V components on them?

Originally Posted by boman47k

........... but what happened to the plug end? ............