How to Change a 3-Wire Plug on an Electric Dryer to a 4-Wire Plug
Newer homes are equipped with four-prong, 220-volt sockets for use with electric dryers. If the dryer you move into a new home or buy for the place has a three-prong plug, it will not be usable with a four-prong electrical outlet. The plugs are sold with the necessary wire and terminal rings for ease of installation. The electrical wiring can be done without taking the dryer apart. The new wire and plug cost considerably less than an electrician's service call. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Unplug the dryer. There is no concern for power running through the wires on a dryer with the plug removed from the electrical socket.
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2
Remove the small electrical wiring cover panel on the back of the dryer by loosening one or two holding screws with a Phillips screwdriver. The panel is located just above the power cord entrance on the back of the dryer.
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3
Remove the grounding strap, or jump wire. The metal ground strap, or jump wire, will be attached to the middle wire on one end and the ground terminal just outside the cover panel at the other end. Use a Phillips screwdriver or small adjustable wrench to loosen the terminals. Pull the neutral wire off the middle terminal as well.
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4
Loosen the terminals holding the hot wires on either side of the neutral terminal. Pull the hot wires off the terminals.
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5
Remove the cable clamp holding the cord in place on the dryer back. Loosen the two screws on either side of the clamp with a slotted screwdriver. Pull the three wires and terminal connectors out through the hole the clamp covered.
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6
Push the new four-wire cord in through the cable hole. The wires come with ring connectors to place over the terminals. Slip the white wire on the center terminal and the green wire on the ground terminal outside the panel. Put the black wire on one side of the white neutral wire and the red wire on the other. The black and red wires are both hot wires, and it makes no difference which side they're on. Slip the terminal screws, or nuts, over the terminals and tighten securely.
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7
Push the cable into the back of the dryer to take the tension off the wire terminals. Place the two halves of the clamp around the cable and slip the tab into the cable hole. Hold the cable with slack inside the dryer and tighten the screws on the clamp until it holds the cord in place.
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8
Replace the electrical wiring cover panel and tighten the screw, or screws, that hold it on the dryer back. Plug in the four-prong plug and test the dryer.
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Tips & Warnings
Never perform wiring jobs unless you have an understanding of electricity and training or experience with household wiring.
