How to Install an Electric Dryer Power Cord

An electric dryer has a three- or four-prong power cord. Before 1990, the power cable on a dryer came with a three-prong configuration using the neutral wire for grounding. Extremely high electrical surges can overload the three-prong arrangement, so a fourth wire was added for grounding since then. Consequently, houses are equipped with 220 outlets bearing either a three- or four-slot socket depending on construction dates. Install a power cable on your dryer to match the outlet in the home.

Things You'll Need

• Phillips screwdriver
• Adjustable pliers
• Jump wire or bonding strap

Instructions

1. Unplug the dryer and open the power cable access panel. Loosen the bolt or screw on the back of the dryer just above the opening for the power cord. Remove the plate to access the terminals.

2. Identify the terminals. Three terminals line up in a row behind the access plate that are color coded with a white terminal between the black and red ones. The red and black terminals are for hot wires and the white is the neutral. The fourth ground terminal is a bolt on the steel backing that is just outside the access plate.

3. Identify the power cable wires. Four wire cables come with color-coded wires using the same black and red for the hot wires and white for the neutral, with an additional green wire as the ground. Three wire cables are typically arranged in a flat row with the neutral wire in the center. Ask your hardware dealer to confirm the wire assignments when purchasing a three-wire replacement cord.

4. Replace the old cord and/or install the new one. Remove the terminal screws and take off the old wires if necessary. Pull the cable out through the cord slot in back of the dryer. Slip the wires from the new cable into the cord slot. Hook the flat terminal connectors onto the appropriate terminals with the hot wires on either side of the central neutral wire. Run a jump wire or bonding strap from the neutral terminal to the ground terminal when installing a three-wire cable. Place the green ground wire terminal connector under the bolt in the dryer back if installing a four- wire cord. Tighten the terminal screws with a Phillips screwdriver. Use an adjustable wrench to secure the ground bolt.

5. Secure the cable and cover the terminals. Push the cable into the slot just enough to relieve the tension on the terminals. Place the screw clamp halves around the cable and slip the tabs in behind the slot opening. Tighten the screws on either side of the clamp to hold the cable in place. Cover the terminal access with the plate and secure the holding bolt with pliers.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not attempt to wire appliances unless you have training or experience in electrical work.

• Never open the terminal access panel with the dryer plugged in.

References

• Changing a dryer power cord from EZ DIY Electricity