How To Change Dryer Outlet To 4 Prong

Dryer Outlet - iii Prong or 4 Prong?

Electrician Greenville 864-834-9955

Choosing the Right Dryer Outlet for Your Home

Then you moved into a new home, and your dryer plug does not fit the receptacle. Either your dryer string has too many or likewise few prongs to fit. This result is mutual and doesn't mean your home has Bad Wiring, and it certainly doesn't hateful you need to buy a new dryer. Homes built before the mid 90's just required 3 prong receptacles, only in 1996 the National Electrical Code (NEC) mandated all new habitation wiring use a neutral for Dryer and Range electrical circuits. The alter like most lawmaking changes was made to increase safe by limiting the potential for electric shock, and this why your new home has a iv prong dryer outlet and your dryer cord won't fit.

Fact: The first Electric Dryer sold to the public was in 1938

Why Was a Change Needed?

The potential for electrical stupor was starting to become more and more of an issue with the rise of digital displays and components utilizing 120v for their operation even though the dryer circuit was 240v without a neutral. This condition becomes dangerous because the voltage is cycling back and forth on a footing wire instead of the required neutral wire. Since the metal frame of the dryer is bonded to the incoming ground wire, there was a potential to exist shocked by stray voltage when touching the dryer. People are much more than at gamble if they are barefoot while using the dryer. What is the divergence between 120v & 240v?

Fact: The term "220 volt circuit" is not accurate in the United States, nosotros use 240 volts every bit a standard although almost appliances however run off 240v or 220v. A dryer using 5000 watts when supplied with 240v draws 20.83 amps while a dryer using the same 5000 watts when supplied with 220v draws 22.73 amps. The 240v system is much more than efficient.

What Was the Solution?

The obvious solution was to add together a neutral wire so the 120 volt components could operate safely without being used as a neutral path. Modernistic homes are wired using 10-3 NM Cable (Romex) and have 4 prong dryer receptacles installed. This wiring method safety carries all voltage back to the primary electrical panel where the ground and neutral are bonded together. Any faults that occur use the grounding path to the Ground Rods or Grounding System and voltage travels into the Earth instead of energizing the metal frame of the dryer.

Fact: Your dryer excursion should be supplied from a 2 pole 30amp Billow. If information technology is more than thirty amps, the Wrong Breaker was installed. If your panel doesn't have breakers and still uses a cartridge and screw-in fuse it is time to think most a Panel Upgrade. Telephone call an Electrical Contractor in Greenville for an evaluation.

What Can Yous Do?

Adding a four Prong Dryer String is the recommended form of action. With the average cost of a new cord being less than $25 and the installation involving the removal of a cover plate, 3 termination screws, and i ground connectedness this qualifies as a DIY project with many YouTube Videos offering advice. Although this is a moderate DIY project if yous a are the to the lowest degree bit uncomfortable or unsure, delight consider Hiring an Electrician in Greenville for assistance. Always turn off ability and verify the power is off earlier working on whatever electrical system.

Ian Ramirez | Upstate Electrical Solutions Ian Ramirez is a Licensed Master Electrician with more than than twenty years of experience with Residential and Commercial electrical projects. Contact Ian straight at 864.834.9955 or Click Hither to Schedule Electrical Service for Greenville & Upstate SC customers. Upstate Electrical Solutions is a fellow member of the Better Business Bureau. Check out our v-Star reviews on Google, Facebook and Yelp. Our reliable service comes with upfront pricing and a 100% Coin Back Guarantee.